New home sales in Australia continued to increase in May, according to the Housing Industry Association (HIA). The HIA New Home Sales report, a survey of Australia’s largest builders, showed that total seasonally adjusted new home sales increased by 1.6% in May 2013, taking monthly sales back to their highest level in 18 months.

In the month of May 2013 detached house sales increased by 4.3% in New South Wales, by 8.8% in Victoria, and 6.9% in South Australia, while detached house sales fell by -2.2% in Queensland and by -10.3% in Western Australia.

“It is pleasing to observe upward momentum in new home sales continuing, especially given the low depths reached in 2012,” said HIA chief economist Harley Dale.