There must be another election around the corner, with both major parties at a federal level well underway with their campaigning and pre-election announcements. With the cost and access to housing expected to be a key battleground, it is essential that meaningful commitments to address the problems the industry is facing are secured.

The Prime Minister last week announced a new scheme to support apprentices, with a $10,000 incentive to boost workers in key housing trades. The scheme will be made up of five $2,000 incentive payments staggered throughout the course of an apprenticeship to support retention and combat the non-completion rates.

Meanwhile, the Opposition have promised to allow first home buyers to access up to $50,000 of their superannuation to purchase a home, which represents an important step towards addressing the significant barrier of saving for a deposit. Superannuation is designed to help people plan for their future retirement, and there is no better security in your future than owning your own house.

Whether it is having access to trades to add to our housing stock, or the ability to get into the market, the Australian dream has perhaps never seemed harder to attain. Declining home ownership rates paint a particularly bleak picture, with 36% of those under 30 owning a home compared to 50% just 30 years ago.

In the lead up the 2025 election, HIA will continue to engage with all sides of politics to prioritise the delivery of housing for all Australians across our cities and regions.