Economists say weaker than expected building approvals figures could prompt the central bank to postpone an interest rate rise next month.
They say that's despite a tightening job market.
ICAP economist Adam Carr told AAP the building approvals data is quite a bit weaker than he had expected, and he doesn't think the RBA should - or necessarily will - be upping the interest rate next Tuesday.
He also says building approvals declined in every month bar two this year, with the drop in August at 4.7 per cent.
The figures come amid debate over the direction of the Aussie dollar. In an interview with ANZ currency strategist Tony Morris, SBS's Ricardo Goncalves says learns that interest rates, along with demand for resources and commodities, is pushing the Aussie higher - and ANZ predicts it may hit parity in 2011.
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