{{ 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
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 2025 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

What ‘matters most’ to the Victorian government – getting re-elected

Media release

What ‘matters most’ to the Victorian government – getting re-elected

Media release
“The 2025/26 Victorian Budget handed down by the Victorian government today fails to deliver meaningful tax reforms that will increase housing supply, address housing affordability and lower the costs facing home builders,” says HIA Victoria Executive Director, Keith Ryan.

“This budget, branded as ‘Focused on What Matters Most’, fails to respond to problems with our home building industry and instead seeks to relieve symptoms caused by the government’s failure to act. It seems that what matters most to the Victorian government is providing short-term relief to voters in the hope that it will help them be re-elected next year.

“Trading conditions for many new home builders have become increasingly precarious in the face of over-reaching new regulations, poor consumer confidence and escalating construction costs – many of which have been compounded by Victoria’s punitive property tax regime.

“Unfortunately, this year’s budget does little to reduce the prohibitive cost of new home building, apart from the previously foreshadowed decision to extend the stamp duty concession for off-the-plan apartments, units and townhouses for a further 12 months. 

“Unfortunately, many Victorians continue to be robbed of choice when it comes to housing type as the scheme still doesn’t apply to new detached homes which are crucial for meeting the Victorian Housing Statement target of 800,000 homes in ten years.

“The extension of the stamp duty concession may lift housing demand by improving affordability and may result in some new apartment projects being brought forward that would otherwise stay on the drawing board.

“But this is pretty much as good as this year’s Budget gets for home builders.

“There is some funding allocated for TAFE and for apprenticeship support officers. Some additional funding for small business support has also been included.

“There is however no additional funding for the new Victorian Building and Plumbing Commission. This makes the already unrealistic expectation that it will provide enhanced consumer protection even less likely.

“With a focus on providing cost of living relief, the Budget delivers on the Treasurer’s promise not to include any new taxes. However, the fact that there’s very few transactions or classes of assets that have yet to be taxed by the Allan Government is little consolation to Victorian industry and the wider community.

“Any government claim that Victoria is a great place to do business is unrealistic thanks to this budget,” concluded Mr Ryan.

For more information please contact:

Keith Ryan

Executive Director - Victoria
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
30 May
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.

29 May
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.

29 May
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.

27 May
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.