Apprentice incentive not enough to meet housing targets
Despite the Albanese government's well-meaning rhetoric, its policies and results reveal a failure to fix housing affordability, a housing expert says.
construction and property
Home construction rises but target remains out of reach
High costs, labour shortages and low productivity are limiting the sector's ability to build new homes as construction activity remains below required levels.
Housing affordability blow as construction costs go up
The cost of building a home continues to rise, making it harder for builders to meet supply targets and alleviate housing affordability.
Buyer’s market: 2025 to bring relief to home buyers
A major pullback in house price rises has not stopped the market from extending its growth streak to eight consecutive quarters.
Downturn in house values as ‘something’s got to give’
Australia's two most populous cities have signalled the beginning of a property downturn amid widening gaps between income, borrowing capacity and home values.
Home building to pick up in 2025, but only modestly
Housing construction is expected to ramp up this year but labour shortages, builder insolvencies and higher global inflation pose headwinds.
Weak start, stronger finish tipped for property in 2025
Australia's property market is entering 2025 in a downturn and while interest rate cuts should boost demand, any home price growth rebound is tipped to be mild.
Stadium build continues despite $1 billion cost blowout
An independent expert has highlighted major concerns about the cost and location of a new AFL stadium but key decision-makers are maintaining their support.
Rental affordability still stretched, but worst is over
Vacancy rates are edging higher and growth in advertised rents is stalling in welcome news for the nation's renters.
‘Whitewash’: doubt cast over fixes for ‘rotten’ CFMEU
Measures may not be strong enough to weed out construction sector criminality after revelations of bikie and organised crime figures infiltrating the CFMEU.
‘Sense of urgency’: extra social homes fast-tracked
Funding an extra 5000 social properties through a partnership with the community housing sector will help get more people into homes sooner, advocates say.
‘Not bringing down a premier’: new turn in track plan
A probe into a controversial proposal to turn a historic racecourse into housing has delivered the latest salvo in a divisive debate over the facility's future.
Development halted causing ‘distress, financial strain’
A major development has been paused after a local council raised significant concerns about the distress and financial strain placed on buyers.
Door opens for first-home buyers to unlock ownership
Headway has finally been made on federal housing policy reform with laws set to pass parliament to allow home buyers to buy with a smaller deposit.
Mining hubs lead regional property price rise
Affordability and lifestyle choices continue to drive up property prices in regional Australia, but there are signs the heat is coming out of the market.
Union members march against changes to work conditions
The mother of a construction worker who died of heat stress has marched alongside thousands of unionists to maintain workplace rights.
2032 Olympic Games countdown begins with venue review
The countdown to the Brisbane Olympics has begun with an independent infrastructure review body to deliver a 2032 Games venue blueprint in 100 days.
‘Flippant’: Greens’ housing scheme demands draw ire
The housing crisis is too serious for the Greens' "flippant ideas" about help-to-buy and build-to-rent scheme reforms, the Property Council of Australia says.
Property giants see reasons for optimism in real estate
Positive sentiment is returning to the Australian property market, the bosses of Mirvac and Lendlease have told shareholders at their annual general meetings.
Govt ditching ‘sweetheart deal’ will cost lives: union
The Queensland government's decision to suspend a "sweetheart deal" with the CFMEU has copped a backlash, with one union claiming it will cost workers' lives.
Union ‘sweetheart deal’ suspended in state crackdown
Members have hit out at a state government after CFMEU "perks" were put on ice as a campaign against the beleaguered union heats up.
‘Everything points to a slowdown’: property loses heat
House and unit prices may have found new record highs but interest rate cautiousness has tempered the pace of growth.
Bulk of CFMEU probe evidence relates to coercion
Dozens of incidents within the embattled CFMEU are being investigated after it was placed into administration following criminal allegations.
Realestate.com.au CEO sees house price growth slowing
REA Group CEO Owen Wilson says the company has had its best September since 2015, and the increased listings should moderate housing price growth.
Million-dollar madness: record suburbs in seven figures
More suburbs than ever have median house or unit prices of more than $1 million, with economists predicting the number will continue to grow.
‘Knocked on the head’: Labor rebuffs property tax moves
After days of discussions over curbing property investors' tax concessions, the government has firmed its stance against the rumours.
Streets behind: every state lagging on housing targets
Australia is targeting 1.2 million new homes by 2029, but a major construction body says only significant reform can overcome a huge shortfall.
Three open police investigations over CFMEU allegations
A former union leader won't face charges over visits to government building sites, although Victoria Police is considering charges over alleged CFMEU fraud.
Calls to come under one roof to tackle housing crisis
The number of Australian renters is set to grow as available homes dwindle and prices soar, prompting calls for the government to come together on solutions.
Construction boss guilty of $10m fraud in marathon case
A Sydney construction boss and four others have been found guilty of a conspiracy to defraud the tax office of more than $10 million over two years.
Jury mulls $13m tax fraud after crime proceeds verdicts
A jury is still grappling with conspiracy charges in a $13 million tax fraud despite finding a construction boss and others guilty of dealing with dirty money.