A long-term trend toward units, townhouses and apartments is close to reaching a 20-year high with 85,323 approvals over 2014.
Western Australia and Victoria were leading the charge with growth in medium density dwelling approvals of 31.2% and 18.9% respectively in 2014.
Coincidentally, these are the two states where there has been some worry about oversupply.
Overall, New South Wales still remains the largest market with 27,286 medium density dwellings accounting for over half of all approvals in the state.
As house prices continue to surge units, townhouses or apartments are becoming more popular options for inner city living.
Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane all had medium density dwellings accounting for more than 98% of all approvals.
Top 10 local areas for medium density housing approvals
| Top 10 local areas for medium density housing approvals | Top 10 local areas for medium density housing approvals | Top 10 local areas for medium density housing approvals | Top 10 local areas for medium density housing approvals |
| Melbourne City | VIC | 6,398 | 99.8% |
| Sydney Inner City | NSW | 2,535 | 99.4% |
| Adelaide City | SA | 873 | 99.3% |
| Brisbane Inner | QLD | 1,517 | 98.3% |
| Southport | QLD | 690 | 97.9% |
| Botany | NSW | 1,945 | 97.5% |
| Stonnington - West | VIC | 926 | 95.9% |
| Robina | QLD | 299 | 95.8% |
| Brisbane Inner North | QLD | 2,985 | 95.8% |
| Strathfield - Burwood - Ashfield | NSW | 1,014 | 95.1% |
(Source: Bankwest Housing Density 2015)
