Australian-first Airbnb bookings tax clears last hurdle
Holidaymakers will soon have to pay an extra 7.5 per cent fee on Airbnb and Stayz bookings under an Australian-first levy ticked off by Victorian parliament.
housing and urban planning
Dutton sets up housing showdown with big build pledge
With housing affordability expected to dominate the federal election campaign, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has unveiled a $5 billion plan to boost supply.
Freeze on home efficiency standard cops political heat
A coalition plan that would stop changes to energy efficiency standards for buildings over a decade has been criticised for stopping climate change action.
Big business blueprint to nail down housing crisis fix
Quicker approvals and slashing red tape are some of the key measures the business lobby has put forward to improve housing affordability and accessibility.
‘We can do better’: Bid to avoid post-2032 homelessness
Brisbane will have a homelessness crisis after the 2032 Olympic Games if the next Queensland government doesn't address an existing social housing shortage.
PM focused on affordable housing despite home furore
Anthony Albanese says he's committed to increasing affordable housing, despite copping flak for buying a $4.3 million beach house with sweeping ocean views.
Aussies paying more as rents spike across the nation
Australian renters are paying thousands more to keep a roof over their heads as rental costs for units and houses continue to balloon since the pandemic.
PM quizzed over $4.3 million clifftop property purchase
The prime minister has been peppered with questions about the purchase of a $4.3 million luxury home for he and future wife Jodie Haydon.
Rental crisis is everywhere, dire for essential workers
The rental crisis is now in every community, as the nation's essential workers struggle to find affordable homes to rent and monthly dwelling approvals drop.
Property market eases past $11 trillion, investors busy
Australian homes are worth more than ever but the annual pace of growth has slowed rapidly in the past three months.
The hidden costs of building a home: what every family should know
Building a home can come with hidden costs. Unfortunately, many people don’t think about these costs until it’s too late.
Household spending flat despite retail boost, tax cuts
The economy is still struggling along with flat household spending despite an uptick in retail turnover and income tax cuts beginning to flow.
High-density issues hurting Australia’s housing goal
Unless Australia can significantly lift the pace at which it is building new homes, a nationally-agreed target to solve the housing crisis looks at-risk.
Cash injection as regulator probes supermarket claims
The consumer watchdog has received a cash injection as it examines allegations of land banking and dubious discounts against the major supermarket chains.
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.
No negative gearing reform on cards for election: PM
The prime minister has hosed down suggestions Labor will take changes to negative gearing to the election, amid warnings it could hike up rents.
China stimulus a ‘very good development for Australia’
After iron ore prices plunged by more than a third since the start of the year, Chinese stimulus measures spell good news for the Australian budget.
‘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.
Overheated market could burn first-time home buyers
The head of Australian Centre for Housing Research has responded to new data, suggesting encouraging buyers into a the "overheated" market is unfair to them.
Renters still can’t keep up, despite more supports
Despite an increase in government supports, low-income earners would still find themselves in rental stress across most of the country, a report has found.
State government promises to boost affordable housing
Queenslanders facing sky-high property prices will have to wait two years for more affordable and social homes to come on the market.
‘Largest’ social housing development aimed at seniors
The federal and state governments will build nearly 500 social and affordable homes in Queensland's far north, specifically accommodating older residents.
New bid to nail down housing bill as talks hit the wall
A key housing bill will be pushed back into parliament despite the government, the opposition and the Greens reaching a stalemate in negotiations.
PM’s early election warning labelled an ’empty threat’
The prime minister has threatened a double dissolution over resistance to his government's housing policy but experts don't think this will benefit his party.
Early election ‘stunt’ to ram through housing bill
The government has failed to pass its housing legislation through the Senate a second time, giving it the first trigger to call a double dissolution election.
PM tries to pry door open in deadlocked housing talks
Pressure is mounting on the coalition and Greens to pass the government's housing policies with the PM accusing his rivals of blocking moves to fix the problem.
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.
Downsizer tax break not ruled out under housing reform
The Property Council argues stamp duty is a major barrier for downsizers, while Victoria's premier did not rule out a one-off exemption to free up family homes.
Independent housing advisor lashes overseas student cap
A proposed cap on international university students has been torn apart by a federal government advisor, who says it will make no difference to housing supply.
‘No silver bullet’ to solving housing affordability
The head of the federal government's independent housing council says ambitious targets to create new homes should still be made even if they're not met.
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.