{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationTaxes and regulatory costs continue to damage Victorian housing affordability
Taxes and regulatory costs continue to damage Victorian housing affordability
Member and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
HIA Executive Director, Victoria, Keith Ryan said, “the report shows an astounding $373,000, or 43 per cent, of the cost of a new house and land package in Melbourne is comprised of government taxes, regulatory costs and charges.
“Since the last report in 2019, the value of taxes and charges on a new house and land package in Melbourne has increased by a staggering 73 per cent or $157,000.
“That rise far exceeds the growth in average earnings over the same period, which has been around 3 per cent annually. It also far exceeds the $10,000 grant first homebuyers receive.
“First home buyers needed to have saved, or borrowed that extra $157,000, to fund the construction of their new home.
“When governments increase taxes and charges on new homes in Melbourne by 73 per cent, the end homebuyer does not receive a 73 per cent better or larger home.
“HIA regularly reminds policymakers that we cannot tax our way out of the housing crisis – but it seems this advice is not being heeded by the Victorian Government.
“The Victorian Government cannot keep increasing taxes on new homes and expect more to be built. The creeping proportion of taxes on new homes only makes housing more unaffordable,” Mr Ryan said.
The report also found that it takes a year to obtain a development approval for subdivision, and one-third of this is just unnecessary delays.
“Delays are known to be costly, and the amount of delay in getting approvals done surpasses the time it takes to build a home.
Mr Ryan said the total outlay for a new apartment in an infill development is also being driven by escalating taxes and regulatory costs.
“A whopping $236,000, or 32 per cent, of the cost of a new apartment in Melbourne is government taxes, regulatory costs and charges. This is $47,000 higher compared to the 2019 Report.
“In order to increase supply, lower the cost of housing and meet growing demand, governments at all levels need to take a fresh look at ways to reduce the taxes, charges and delays they impose on new home building – this will be the key message in HIA’s 2025-26 State Budget submission,” concluded Mr Ryan.
Statutory Taxes, regulatory costs and infrastructure charges on Melbourne Housing
For more information please contact:
Detached house approvals picking up
“There were 9,490 detached homes approved in the month of April 2025, up by 3.3 per cent compared to the previous month,” stated HIA Senior Economist Maurice Tapang.
State Budget is a missed opportunity to stimulate housing
The Treasurer has handed down the 2025/26 Tasmanian Budget. The Budget focuses on alleviating cost of living pressures, health, education and infrastructure, while mapping out a path to a fiscal balance surplus in 2032/2033.
HIA supports bipartisan approach to planning reform NSW
“The NSW planning system has failed to deliver the number of homes we desperately need and we fully support removing the politics from housing, to address this growing crisis,” said Brad Armitage, HIA Executive Director NSW.
Opposition pledge to remove stamp duty for first home buyers welcomed (Vic)
The Victorian Opposition’s announcement that it would remove stamp duty for first-home buyers spending up to $1 million on a new or existing home if elected at next year’s state election, is a positive step towards improving home affordability,” says Steven Wojtkiw, HIA Victoria Deputy Executive Director.