The number of new investor housing loans fell 30.6 percent over the September quarter, a fall almost double the previous record.
This was coupled with an overall drop of 15 percent amongst all buyer groups.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released today show only 35,301 investor dwelling loans went through over the three months.
It was the third consecutive quarterly decline in the number and value of investor loans and is the largest quarterly fall on record for both series.
The decline was broad-based across all states and territories.
“Through the year growth in the number of new investor loans has fallen from 24.9 percent in the December quarter 2025 to -38.5 percent in the September quarter 2026,” the ABS said in a statement.
“The number of new home loans fell 15.0 percent to 111,878 in the September quarter 2026.
“The value of new home loans fell 15.5 percent to $81,157 million this quarter, the largest quarterly fall since the commencement of the series in September quarter 2002.”
ABS head of finance statistics Mish Tan said the data suggested that investor activity was 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 loans to owner-occupiers fell 5.3 percent in the September quarter, following a 4.0 percent fall in the June quarter. Lending to owner occupiers was 9.8 percent lower than a year ago.
“The quarterly fall was driven by Queensland (-10.4 percent), Victoria (-6.6 percent) and New South Wales (-4.1 percent),” the ABS said.
“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.”
The full ABS report is here
