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“With a 40% increase in the construction costs of a new home, continued growth in the established housing market, and a 30% decrease in borrowing capacity, a deposit for a new home has been harder to save for than ever,” stated HIA Executive Director Michael McGowan.
“For 30 years Keystart has been providing low deposit loans for Western Australians looking to own their own home, however conditions over the last two years have meant the volume of people that Keystart can help has significantly reduced.
“These changes will not only allow more people to consider home ownership but give Keystart flexibility in changing environments to stay relevant to the median house price.
“What we have seen over the last 12 months is that the ‘bank of mum and dad’ has been relied upon heavily to provide deposits and security to help their children into the housing market. These changes will help reduce that need and risk for Western Australian families.
“Keystart is a lender and must assess every application under strict ASIC guidelines that ensure a customer is able to service their loan. With increasing house prices, an increased salary threshold is needed to service the low deposit loan.
“Housing demand in the current environment remains strong but we must ensure we are continuing to look at options to make home ownership accessible for more Western Australians, and this is a positive step in the right direction.
Keystart has been the envy of the rest of the country for over 30 years and has helped more than 120,000 Western Australians into home ownership. These changes will make home ownership a realistic possibility for more people,” Mr McGowan concluded.
The new property price limits and income limits are as follows, effective 4 July 2024:
|
|
Previous property price limit |
New property |
Previous income limit |
New income limit |
|
Low Deposit Home Loan |
$560,000 |
$650,000* |
Singles: $105,000 Couples and families: $155,000 |
Singles: $137,000* Couples and families: $206,000* |
|
Shared Ownership Home Loan |
$412,000 |
$535,000 |
Singles: $70,000 Couples and families: $90,000 |
Singles: $113,000 Couples and families: $174,000 |
* The new limits apply throughout the State, excluding Kimberley and Pilbara regions as these areas have unique housing conditions and will be reviewed separately.
** Figures based on REIWA data as at 31 May 2024.
See full WA State Government statement here.
The Victorian Government's Working from Home Bill has become available, and proposed buyer protection laws have undergone some changes.
On 15 January 2026, penalties for non-compliance were increased under the Building Work Contractors Act 1995, Fair Trading Act 1987, and the Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Act 1995. The reforms also introduced new offences including undertaking, or engaging others to undertake, unlicensed work.
HIA advocates for a more transparent, efficient and accountable Australian Standards system. This policy outlines HIA's recommendations for improving the development and enforcement of Australian Standards, and the role of the Australian Building Codes Board in assessing the impact of standards referenced in the National Construction Code.
“Australia needed to build more than 250,000 homes last year just to keep pace with demand growth and begin reducing the housing shortage and yet we commenced less than 200,000 homes. This is why home prices and rents are rising,” stated Tim Reardon, HIA’s Chief Economist.