Australia building half as many homes for every hour worked compared with 30 years ago, Productivity Commission finds

<p>‘Decades of poor performance’ in dwelling construction is contributing to the housing affordability crisis, report says</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/feb/17/australia-news-live-victoria-police-sydney-trains-industrial-action-interest-rates-election-campaign-cost-of-living-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></li><li>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></li></ul><p></p><p>The Australian housing construction sector is only building half as many homes relative to the number of hours worked compared with 30 years ago, according to a new Productivity Commission report that calls for faster planning approvals and fewer regulations.</p><p>The report, released on Monday, finds “decades of poor performance” and falling productivity in dwelling construction has contributed to the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/housing">housing affordability crisis</a> and the sector has fallen “well behind the broader economy”.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=copyembed">Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email</a></strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/17/australia-building-half-as-many-homes-per-hour-worked-compared-to-30-years-ago-productivity-commission-finds">Continue reading...</a>