Building approvals beat expectations in July

Building approvals rose more than expected in July, official data shows.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed the number of buildings approved rose a seasonally adjusted 2.5 per cent to 16,318  in the month.

That compares to 15,659 approvals in June, seasonally adjusted.

Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had expected a 1.7 per cent increase in building approvals during the month.

Over the 12 months to July, building approvals were up 9.4 per cent, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said.

Approvals for private sector houses rose 1.4 per cent in the month, and the 'other dwellings' category, which includes apartment blocks and townhouses, was up 5.9. per cent.