{{ 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 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 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 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

'Let's Build Australia' and make housing a national priority

Media release

'Let's Build Australia' and make housing a national priority

Media release
“Home ownership is the bricks and mortar that has helped Australia build a stable and vibrant society, but the opportunity to build and own a home has become out of reach for too many. This is fundamentally wrong and must be the highest priority for political parties across the spectrum to address and resolve,” said HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin.

“The latest home ownership rates report record lows of 61.4 per cent with many Australians not seeing themselves ever realising their home ownership dream.

“A well housed population is more productive, cohesive and healthy; the delivery of housing in all forms, across our cities and in our regions must be a priority.

“Home ownership remains one of the most important aspirations for all Australians. It is critical that an incoming federal government recognises this and implements meaningful policies that enable all Australians to build and own their own home. 

“Australia needs to maintain housing supply at around 240,000 new dwellings per annum, year on year to meet demand and put downward pressures on affordability.

“Yet right now the policy and economic environment is acting as a hand brake on our industry resulting in only 170,000 new homes being delivered. 

“HIA calls on all sides of politics to commit to pulling out all stops and implement genuine policy reforms to support the delivery of appropriate housing to meet Australia’s growing population.

“Our industry is weighed down by increasing taxes and regulations, skills shortages, uncertainty in policy making and rising costs. These all contribute to making housing less affordable to rent or buy and driving up construction costs and hurting industry productivity.

“For this year’s federal election HIA calls on all political parties to adopt a multi-pronged plan to secure a strong supply of future housing matched to growing demand.

“A plan that addresses long term structural issues in delivery of adequate housing. 

“A plan that requires bold leadership and coordination across all areas of government.

“A plan the recognises that not one single policy area can address these challenges. A plan that goes beyond a single election cycle. 

“HIA calls on the next federal government to make housing across our cities and regions a national priority through:

  • Addressing the chronic skills shortages in the industry;
  • Removing the barriers to the supply of housing; and
  • Establishing financial settings that encourage home ownership.

“The housing industry built 1.7 million homes over the last decade, creating jobs for 1.1 million people and generating $105 billion in activity each year.

“This industry is the life blood of Australia and it’s time to get serious about removing the blockers to let builders build the homes to house all Australians,” concluded Ms Martin.

Let’s Build Australia | Federal Election 2025 | HIA

For more information please contact:

Jocelyn Martin

Managing Director

Simon Croft

Chief Executive - Industry & Policy
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
24 Aug
Queensland building leader Jodie McKenna crowned HIA Building Woman of the Year

Queensland’s home building industry gathered in celebration as the 12th annual HIA Queensland Building Women Awards honoured outstanding achievement, leadership and influence, shining a spotlight on the remarkable contribution women are making to building more homes across the state.

24 Aug
Regional housing must be a top priority for Victoria's next Government

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) will bring together industry leaders, businesses, community representatives and policymakers in Ballarat on Tuesday for a regional housing roundtable focused on the critical role housing will play in supporting the future growth and prosperity of regional Victoria.

21 Aug
Preventing Pipe Failure Starts Below Ground

The HIA has been advised that due to an increase of plumbing audit inspection failures, from the 1st of September, the Office of the Technical Regulator (OTR) will be further policing non-compliance in the installation of sanitary plumbing and drainage pipework, namely the bedding of sanitary drainage pipes.

21 Aug
Senate Inquiry must focus on delivering more housing, not more reports

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the establishment of the Senate Economics References Committee Inquiry into social housing, describing it as an important opportunity to identify the reforms needed to deliver more housing of all forms at scale and address the bottlenecks holding back housing supply broadly.