Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the number of loans for houses in May rose 4% in seasonally adjusted terms compared to April.
The ABC reports loans for the purchase and construction of new dwellings increased almost 5%.
The Urban Development Institute of Australia said record migration helped drive the increase.
Chief executive Debra Goostrey said more than 19,000 loans for new dwellings for owner-occupation were secured over the past 12 months - an increase of 30% on last year.
''Post-GFC (global financial crisis) confidence is now starting to come through," she said.