{{ 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
For your business Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions HIA Tradepass Advertise jobs 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 Apprentices Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job 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 Maintaining 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 Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Our podcasts Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners
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 2024 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference 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

Social housing tax will hurt Victorian home buyers

Media release

Social housing tax will hurt Victorian home buyers

Media release
Today’s announcement that the Victorian Government will introduce a new tax to fund social housing is simply the wrong approach and will be another hit to housing affordability for all Victorians.

“The new Social and Affordable Housing Contribution will apply a tax of 1.75% to all new developments with three or more dwellings and to all new subdivisions with three or more lots from July 2024. 

“The tax will apply to the majority of new housing in Victoria, covering all local government areas in metropolitan Melbourne, as well as the regional cities of Greater Geelong, Ballarat, and Greater Bendigo. 

“The cost of new homes after July 2024 will increase with this tax being passed through in the land prices for all new lots in these areas. 

“Victorian home buyers already pay a range of taxes when they buy a new home, contributing half of Victoria’s tax revenue now. In Melbourne 38% of a new home build is made up of taxes, fees and charges. This new tax will see land and house prices being pushed further out of reach of new home buyers. 

“Ultimately it is new home buyers who will lose out as the taxes must be passed on in higher land and house prices. 

“Median land prices are $377,000 in Melbourne, while the median house price is now $950,000. Home buyers are already contributing their fair share of revenue to the state. 

“HIA estimates that this tax could add over $6,600 to the cost of land for new homes. Add stamp duty and GST along with many more costs and this tax could cost more than $20,000 for a new home buyer, adding to their mortgage repayments. 

“Funding for social and community housing is a critical role of government. But this is a community need and the response should be an equitable one. It simply doesn’t make sense to suggest that making houses for those that can afford to buy a new house cost more is the right solution to support those that can’t afford to buy one. This tax will perversely make the problem of affordability for all Victorians worse, not better. 

“The Government should be funding social housing from general rates and taxes as well as working in partnership with the housing industry and the community housing sector to identify feasible and effective actions to support the delivery of long-term solutions for public housing needs. 

“The tax will hit many more new homes than the suggested 30% of planning permits. The tax also comes at a time when the government is implementing a new windfall gains tax in regional Victoria which will raise land prices significantly, increasing building code requirements that will add to construction costs and just last week increased builder registration fees by between 40 percent and 200 per cent.

“The Government must stop shifting the burden of funding social and community infrastructure onto a select group of Victorians each year that choose to buy a new home. This tax is inequitable and unfair.

For more information please contact:

Fiona Nield

Chief Executive - Business Services

Joe Shanahan

Manager, Communications & Media
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
17 Apr
Easter & ANZAC long weekends | Site security and shutdown tips

As we head into the Easter and ANZAC long weekends, the team at HIA wishes you a safe, relaxing, and well-deserved break with your loved ones.

17 Apr
Technical Training Colleges important step to boost tradie numbers

“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes today’s announcement by the Coalition to commit $260 million to build a new national network of Australian Technical Colleges to target boosting our industry’s critical trade shortages,” said HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin.

16 Apr
Coalition to accelerate approvals to unlock more housing supply

“A key reason why the cost of government fees, charges and taxes has increased by $160,000 over the past five years, is the increased time it takes to gain approval to turn farmland into a residential suburb,” stated HIA’s Chief Economist, Tim Reardon.

16 Apr
New home building remains at decade lows

“There were 168,050 new homes that commenced construction in 2024, which remains at its lowest levels in over a decade,” stated HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon.

VIC Cost Plus Contract (Pack of 2)

This contract is used for residential constructions works on a cost plus basis, not a lump sum ‘fixed price’. Costs are totalled and a percentage or fixed sum added for administration, supervision and profit. It allows for project...

VIC Alterations, Additions and Renovations Contract (Pack of 2)

This contract (pack of two) is suitable for residential building work relating to an alteration, addition, renovation or where the work is not to completion stage. The contract allows for project details to be formalised and also ...

VIC Domestic Works Under $10,000 Contract

The Victorian Domestic Works Under $10,000 contract is suitable when the contract price for the manufacture, supply and installation of: - cabinets and associated works - bathroom renovations - carport and garage - pergola and oth...

VIC Job Quotation Form (Pad of 20)

The Victorian Job Quotation Form (pad of 20) is suitable for sub-contractors to list their conditions. It's carbonised and individually numbered and dated.

VIC Notice of Commencement (Pad of 20)

This form (pad of 20) is designed for use with HIA contracts such as: - alterations, additions and renovations contract - cost plus contract - kit homes contracts - new homes contract. Note: this form is specific to Victoria and s...

VIC Notice of Completion (Pad of 20)

The Victorian Notice of Completion (pad of 20) is used to formally notify an owner when a project will be at practical completion. It’s designed for use with HIA contracts such as: - alterations, additions and renovations contract...

VIC Notice of Extension of Time (Pad of 20)

Builders wanting an extension of time for completing work will need this Victorian Notice of Extension of Time (pad of 20). This product complies with Victorian legislation as the builder must advise the client in writing of their...

VIC New Homes Contract (Pack of 2)

The Victorian New Homes Contract (pack of 2) is suitable for the construction of new homes in Victoria. The contract allows for all job details to be formalised and also contains all the relevant schedules. The contract is tailore...

VIC Notice of Suspension of Works (Pad of 20)

This Notice of Suspension of Works (pad of 20) is to be used with the Plain English contract for works if the owner fails to make a payment and/or is in breach of a contract clause. The document is used with other documents such a...

VIC Progress Claim Certificate (Pad of 20)

The Victorian Progress Claim Certificate (pad of 20) provides an efficient way for a builder to claim payment from a client or financial institution. This is a hard copy version of the certificate and will be mailed to you once i...

VIC/TAS Specification - General & Cover

The Victorian Specification – General and Cover document contains information relevant to the work to be performed by various trades, details of materials, procedures and regulations, and Australian Standards requirements.

VIC Preliminary Agreement (Pad of 20)

The Victorian Preliminary Agreement (pad of 20) is used to cover the cost of the preliminary work before and in preparation of signing the contract. This type of work may include preparation of plans, engineering details and obtai...

VIC Small Works Contract (Pack of 2)

The Victorian Small Works Contract is suitable for all domestic building work such as alterations and renovation projects. Note: this document is specific to Victoria and shouldn’t be used in other states or territories without fi...

VIC Variation to Contract (Pad of 20)

The Victorian Variation Document (pad of 25) details changes or variations to works requiring an update to the contract between builder and owner. It can also be used for variations between builder and sub-contractor. This is a h...