The latest apartment approval numbers released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics are a timely reminder that we must do more to meet Australia’s ambitious housing targets. With only 2,539 apartments approved nationally in April — a 17.4% drop from the month prior — momentum is slipping at a time we need it most.

According to the Property Council of Australia, to reach the Federal Government’s goal of 1.2 million new homes by 2029, over 20,000 homes need to be approved each month. The current pace falls well short.

But there is opportunity amid the challenge.

The Build-to-Rent sector is uniquely positioned to help deliver new homes at scale, particularly in well-connected urban areas where demand for quality rental housing continues to grow. With the right support, BTR can fast-track delivery, attract long-term institutional investment, and offer high-quality, professionally managed homes that meet the needs of modern renters.

To unlock this potential, we must address the bottlenecks — from complex planning systems to high construction costs and approval delays. Encouragingly, there is growing recognition from all levels of government that planning reform is critical, and that housing supply must be a national priority.

We believe Build-to-Rent is part of the solution. With coordinated action and the right policy settings, the sector can help turn these approval numbers around — and help more Australians find a place to call home.

‍