The number of dwellings approvals in Australia declined by 15.5 percent month-over-month in March 2019,after a 19.1 percent gain in the previous month and compared to market consensus of a 14 percent fall. It was the biggest decrease in building permits since December 2017, as private sector dwellings excluding houses dropped (-30.6 percent from 64.5 percent in February). Meanwhile, private sector houses permits went down less (-3.2 percent from -3.4 percent). Among the states and territories, total dwelling approvals decreased in New South Wales (-27.4 percent), Victoria (-27 percent), Queensland (-2.4 percent), and South Australia (-2 percent); while rose in Western Australia (4.8 percent). Through the year to March, total dwelling units approved slumped 27.3 percent. Building Permits in Australia averaged 0.31 percent from 1983 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 31.80 percent in May of 2012 and a record low of -21.90 percent in December of 2017.