The number of new home loans fell 15.0 per cent to 111,878 in the September quarter 2026, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
The value of new home loans fell 15.5 per cent to $81,157 million this quarter, the largest quarterly fall since the commencement of the series in September quarter 2002.
This continues the downward trend seen throughout 2026.
Dr Mish Tan, ABS head of finance statistics, said, ‘While lending activity fell across all borrower types in the September quarter, the decline was sharpest for investors. Our data suggests that investor activity is being influenced by factors beyond increasing borrowing costs, including the potential impacts of tax changes and expectations of lower house prices.’
The number of new investor loans fell 30.6 per cent to 35,301 loans over the quarter while the value fell 32.3 per cent to $24,705 million.
This marks the third consecutive quarterly decline in both the number and value of investor loans and is the largest quarterly fall on record for both series.
The decline was broad-based, with strong falls recorded in all states and territories.
Through the year growth in the number of new investor loans has fallen from 24.9 per cent in the December quarter 2025 to -38.5 per cent in the September quarter 2026.
The number of new loans to owner occupiers fell 5.3 per cent in the September quarter, following a 4.0 per cent fall in the June quarter. Lending to owner occupiers was 9.8 per cent lower than a year ago.
The quarterly fall was driven by Queensland (-10.4 per cent), Victoria (-6.6 per cent) and New South Wales (-4.1 per cent).
The number of owner occupier first home buyer loans fell 8.6 per cent during the quarter, following a 4.4 per cent fall in the June quarter. Lending to first home buyers was 12.3 per cent lower than a year ago.
Owner occupier first home buyers continued to account for more than one-third of owner occupier commitments, remaining a significant share of owner occupier lending.