Research Note
Local
14 October 2025 No, Councils don't approve 98% of permits for new housing
New findings show that metropolitan Melbourne councils approve on average less than three-quarters of permits for new dwellings.
Summary Stats
Executive summary
- “Missing Middle” projects (6 to 50 dwellings) have the lowest approval rates at just above 60% of dwellings being approved by Council.
- On average, 70% of new dwelling permits are approved across metropolitan Melbourne.
Highest rate: Brimbank at 90% - Lowest rate: Banyule at 39%
- Just over 30% of dwelling permits rejected by councils eventually get approved at VCAT
- More than two-thirds of the permits rejected by four councils—Glen Eira, Bayside, Stonnington, and Melbourne—are later approved at VCAT
- Planning approval rates and timelines have not improved since 2015
Key chart
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