Dutton prays for rate cut as RBA enters conclave
Economists say a major reduction in mortgage rates this year is unlikely, even though the Reserve Bank board is widely tipped to deliver a cut on Tuesday.
housing and urban planning
Australia must build out of crisis amid shocking data
Red tape must be ripped down to boost productivity in a bid to fix the nation's housing crisis, with shocking new data showing the slowing rate of construction.
‘No-brainer’ home ownership boost for HECS debt Aussies
Australians saddled with student debt who want to enter the housing market will be given a helping hand, under changes to lending requirements.
Aussies opt for regional living, pushing up home prices
A continued shift of Australians moving to regional towns for lifestyle reasons has boosted property prices at the expense of capital city values.
Retiring renters face homelessness as ownership falls
As home ownership falls, rents grow and the cost of living continues to surge, older renters will need more help when they enter retirement, a report has found.
House prices expected to rise amid supply challenge
Housing will remain a key policy battlefield at the election with prices expected to continue increasing and efforts to boost supply lagging behind targets.
Long-term homelessness grows amid housing cost crunch
Calls are mounting for more funding for homelessness services as data shows the number of people without a home long-term jumped.
Home approvals bounce can’t keep a lid on prices
Home values held firm in January as a shallow and short-lived housing downturn nears its end, with new supply coming too slowly to solve unaffordability.
‘Year of the unit’: cost squeeze drives homebuyer shift
Rising unaffordability and changing lifestyles are driving an unusual turnaround in real estate dynamics as unit prices grow faster than houses in some areas.
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.
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.
Greens housing crusade fails to sway most tenant voters
Renters are more likely to support Labor or Liberal than the Greens despite the minor party running hard on issues faced by tenants, fresh polling shows.
‘Who knows’: warning before $2m home slid down cliff
A clifftop home destroyed by a landslide that hospitalised a man was the site of another slip less than two weeks earlier, which left council workers on alert.
Australia has ‘well and truly passed’ rental boom peak
Affordability pressures and rising vacancy rates are keeping a lid on rental growth after years of surging prices.
Bank of mum and dad could run dry for retirement
Affordability constraints have many turning to the bank of mum and dad but parents have been urged to consider their finances carefully before lending.
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.
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.
Homeowners making hundreds a week even without tenants
People who own property might be able to make more than $30,000 a year, if the market is good, simply by holding onto their asset for about nine years.
‘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.
Where home prices are expected to grow fastest in 2025
Australian property values are set to keep rising over the next 12 months but controversial tax changes are helping keep one state's home price growth in check.
Corruption call fuels ugly row over historic racecourse
A corruption watchdog will be asked to probe a state premier's involvement in what could become one of Australia's largest-ever real estate deals.
‘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.
Worst housing affordability in almost three decades
Homeowners and renters face some of the most challenging conditions in years, with both groups spending a growing proportion of income on a place to live.
New homes lead the way in energy efficiency
Canberra boasts the most energy efficient homes in Australia but cities with older stock like Sydney and Hobart are lagging.
Housing policies at lock-up stage with Greens support
Labor has had a breakthrough on its stalled housing agenda after securing Greens support for a federal shared-equity scheme and build-to-rent policies.
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.
Fresh hope for those wanting to buy own home sweet home
Australians locked out of the housing market will soon have a viable option to buy their own piece of paradise with a significantly 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.
Building data nailed but future framework doubts linger
Home building approvals have broken a two-year ceiling but industry groups warn it's not enough to meet a target of 1.2 million homes by 2029.