{{ propApi.searchIcon }}
{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights
Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research & analysis
Advocacy & policy
Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions
News & inspiration
Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Support & guidance
Ask an expert Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services Australian Standards
Member perks
Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Ampol fuel savings See all
Industry insurance
HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance
For your business
Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions HIA SafeScan
Apprentices
Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Value for money
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right
Building codes National Construction Code Australian standards See all
Managing your business
Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all
Managing your safety
Safety rules Working with silica See all
Building your business
Growing your business Communication for your business See all
Other subjects
Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career
Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer How do I apply? Frequently asked questions
Study with us
Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand Professional development courses
A job in the industry
Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Further your career
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Grow with us
Sign me up Become a member Member benefits Mates rates
Our podcasts
Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter
Our initiatives
HIA Building Women Charitable Foundation GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub
Get involved
Become an award judge Join a committee Meet our members Partner with us
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards
Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards
Awards winners
Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2026 Australian Home of the Year
Industry events
Events in the next month Economic outlook HIA Made Events calendar
HIA shop
HIA shop $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Most popular products
National Construction Code Vol 1 & 2 Waterproofing wet areas AS 3740:2021 HIA Guide to Waterproofing HIA Guide to NCC Livable Housing Provisions
Top categories
Building codes & standards Contracts & documents Guides & manuals Safety products Signage
For your business
Contracts Online Digital Australian Standards Digital Resource Library Forecasts & data
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Housing industry urges Government to keep SMSF finance flowing to new homes

Media release

Housing industry urges Government to keep SMSF finance flowing to new homes

Media release
The housing industry is calling on the Australian Government to allow self-managed super funds (SMSFs) to continue borrowing to build new homes, at least until the impact of its new borrowing restrictions on housing supply is independently assessed and made public.

From this week, SMSFs can no longer enter into new Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs) to finance residential property.

Industry data indicates that SMSF borrowing directly financed the construction of thousands of new detached homes each year and facilitated an even larger volume of apartment commencements. These new homes provide a pathway to homeownership and support the rental market. 

With a third of Australians renting and cost of living pressures particularly for those Australians that do not own their home and thus experiencing housing insecurity, this ban does not just adversely impact housing supply at aggregate, it impacts intergenerational fairness and financial wellbeing of working Australians.

The housing and finance industry is urging the Government, at a minimum, to permit SMSF borrowing for newly constructed homes while Treasury undertakes and publishes a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the ban on detached home commencements, apartment construction, project pre-sales, rental supply and progress towards the Government's 1.2 million homes target.

Restricting investment in established homes still adversely affects new housing supply. But restricting finance for a home that has not yet been built means the policy reaches directly into the new-home market and contradicts the Government’s own tax reforms designed to encourage new housing.

At a time when Australia is already struggling to build enough homes, there should be a clear and public justification for any policy expected to reduce the building of new homes.

The review should also demonstrate a clear net public benefit sufficient to justify restricting Australians from using SMSF borrowing to build new homes.

If the evidence demonstrates a clear net public benefit from extending the prohibition to newly constructed homes, the Government can make that case publicly. Until then, SMSFs should, as a minimum, not be banned from borrowing for residential property and be allowed to continue to borrow to build new homes.

Australia should not sacrifice additional housing supply before the Government has demonstrated that a clear public benefit from doing so.

A Joint statement from: 

Australian Finance Industry Association

Housing Industry Association

Property Council of Australia

Real Estate Institute of Australia

Self Managed Super Fund Association

Urban Development Institute of Australia.

For more information please contact:

Greg Weller

Executive Director – Corporate Affairs
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
30 Oct
HBCF Insurance changes for apartment projects is great news for feasibility

“The removal of the need for Home Building Compensation Fund Insurance for low rise apartment building projects will deliver more homes”, said Brad Armitage, HIA NSW Executive Director.

30 Oct
NT Government Procurement Reforms

The Northern Territory Government is attempting to modernise its procurement practices by aiming to reduce red tape, make procurement more effective for both business and government and drive economic growth.

29 Oct
Major sectors unite behind long-term solution to Australia's housing crisis

Peak community services, social housing, property, construction and homelessness organisations have united behind a simple message: Australia needs a long-term plan with greater scale and ambition to tackle the housing crisis and meet the needs of current and future generations.

29 Oct
Queensland housing affordability improvements welcomed

The Housing Industry Association says a welcome improvement in housing affordability across Queensland should be viewed as an opportunity to accelerate housing supply reforms, rather than a sign the housing challenge has been solved.