{{ 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
For your business Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions Advertise jobs HIA SafeScan 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 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 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

Australia needs a dedicated regional housing plan

Media release

Australia needs a dedicated regional housing plan

Media release
Speaking at the HIA’s Regional Housing Roundtable in Bendigo, Victoria today, HIA Chief Executive of Industry & Policy Simon Croft outlined the importance of having a targeted housing plan for regional Australia.

“Housing policies need to deliver for regional Australia and not just be an adjunct of inner-city policies set in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra,” said Mr Croft.

“This is why we have today released a 20-point blueprint for policymakers that can support regional housing and recognise the growth in population outside metropolitan areas.

“HIA’s Housing the Regions report provides a platform to open a discussion on how to best take pressure off housing in our capital cities, through engaging with regional Australia to implement solutions which support the growing regional populations.

“The number of Australians moving from cities to the regions continues to grow, and this trend is expected to increase in the coming years as more people get priced out of living in metropolitan areas. There are now 8.5 million people living in regional Australia.

“With high house prices and cost-of-living pressures biting, many people are realising the regions can offer the lifestyle they want and the jobs they're after, minus big city problems - like long commute times, tolls and traffic.

“This shift in population highlights the importance of the need for appropriate investment in the regions to bolster services, skills and infrastructure needed to support a growing population.

“Even more critically it reinforces the importance and the need for a targeted regional housing plan that includes the volume of supply needed and providing affordable and diverse housing options.

“Access to shovel (build) ready land, insufficient investment in necessary enabling infrastructure for new housing estates, and worker shortages in nearly every key role in construction from onsite trades to regional council staff needed to process planning approvals are three of the biggest problems being faced.

“Builders must also contend with environmental approvals that can take years to conclude.

“Builders are acutely aware of the massive pent-up demand for new housing in these areas however, they need the systems around them that facilitate delivery of more homes working for them – currently the opposite is true,” concluded Mr Croft.

Download the Housing Industry Association Housing the Regions report. 

For more information please contact:

Simon Croft

Chief Executive - Industry & Policy
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight

There are no articles in your region