“This funding is a positive move, but further investment is required to ensure Australia meets its housing targets and improves affordability,” HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said today.

“We support the Federal and NSW Governments’ commitment to delivering 60,000 homes in key growth areas. This funding will help address critical housing shortages, but broader action is needed to ensure long-term success.

“The biggest barrier to increasing housing supply remains the lack of shovel-ready land. Without significant investment in enabling infrastructure—such as roads, water, and sewerage—land cannot be developed, and homes cannot be built.

“HIA has called on the Federal Government to allocate $12 billion over five years in the upcoming Budget to unlock land supply and meet the nation’s ambitious target of 1.2 million new homes over five years.

“We need to build 240,000 homes per year just to keep up with demand, yet last year we fell 60,000 homes short. Without a significant injection of funding for infrastructure, housing targets will be difficult to achieve.

“HIA’s Pre-Budget Submission highlights that the cost of delivering infrastructure is too often placed on builders, who then have little choice but to pass these costs onto homebuyers. The Federal Government must share the responsibility to ensure more Australians can afford a home.

“HIA also emphasised the need for regional housing investment, ensuring infrastructure spending supports housing growth in areas where demand continues to rise.

“Regional Australia continues to grow, but infrastructure has not kept pace. This investment must include a focus on regional areas to ensure homes can be delivered where they are needed most.

“The Federal Budget must put housing and infrastructure front and centre—it is the foundation of a strong economy and a secure future for Australian families,” concluded Ms Martin.

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