In this blog/video, we explore the Labor Government's 6 key housing policies following the 2025 federal election...

From a $10b government allocation for housing fund, government backed home deposits, 100,000 new homes exclusively for first home buyers, a foreign buyer ban, apprentice incentives for new tradies & more, we discuss the major policies in this week's blog....

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Hi everybody - George Sourris, Empire Legal.

Today's topic: Labor’s 2025 Federal Housing Policies — What They Mean for Queensland Buyers, Sellers & Agents.

I have a a great topic this week, with the 2025 federal election now being wrapped up and the Albanese Labor government returning to power, it's time to unpack the big ticket housing policies that will shape the property landscape over the next few years.

Whether you're a buyer, a seller, an agent, or an investor, these things are all worth noting because they'll affect all the conversations you're having out in the field, and of course they are the key policies for housing.

Let's jump right in. We've got six different topics to unpack, plus a bonus topic. We're not politically charged here at Empire Legal. Instead, I'm just here to tell you the facts and maybe throw in an opinion here or there!

So here's what you need to know:

Number 1 - $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF).

Labor is injecting $10 billion into building 30,000 new social and affordable homes over a five year window. 20,000 social housing dwellings with 4,000 specifically for women and older Australians at risk of homelessness.

We've got 10,000 affordable rentals targeted at essential workers like nurses, police and cleaners, who kept us safe during the pandemic. $200 million for remote indigenous housing repairs, maintenance and improvements, and a large $30 million to build housing and fund specialist services for veterans experiencing homelessness and risk of homelessness.

So, what does that mean? This means that low end rental stock may free up and an ease of demand pressure in some areas. However, given our predicted migration numbers, this policy alone may not be enough to stop the wave of new migrants coming , with a sever undersupply of Australian housing.

Number 2 - 100,000 new homes reserved exclusively for first home buyers.

In a move to outpace investors, Labor's plans are to construct up to 100,000 homes across Australia, that only first home buyers can purchase, over the next eight years. No investor access. This is tied to a $10 billion funding pool, and intended to level the playing field for those trying to break into the market.

What this means for buyers? More stock and less competition, at least in theory. We'll have to look at eligibility and supply timing for this one.

Number 3 - 5% deposit for all first home buyers.

Labor is expanding the first home guarantee scheme , so any first home buyer can purchase with only a 5% deposit. No income caps, no property price limits and no LMI - Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

What does this mean for the market? Expect a renewed wave of first home buyer demand, especially in Brisbane and regional Queensland where entry prices are still accessible.

Number 4 - shared equity via the "help to buy" scheme.

Eligible Australians can co-purchase a home with the federal government. We're talking up to 40% contribution for new builds, and up to 30% contribution for existing homes. Buyers still need to find a minimum 2% deposit, and they'll only need to repay the government's share when they sell or refinance.

What does this mean for agents? This could help lower income buyers make the leap, particularly in rising outer metro or regional corridors. Only 2%. That's huge, guys.

Number 5 - ban on foreign investors buying existing homes.

So this started on the 1st of April, 2025, where Labor banned foreign buyers from purchasing established residential properties, aiming to reduce competition and open up supply to locals.

What does this mean for sellers? Expect more local demand for established homes, especially in tightly held suburbs.

Number 6 -  apprentice incentive payments.

So to meet the ambitious housing targets, Labor is looking to incentivise more people to go into trades. This means investing $78 million to fast track the qualification of 6,000 tradies to help build more homes across Australia from 1st of July, 2025, eligible apprentices will also receive $10,000 in incentive payments on top of their wages, over the life of their apprenticeship, to work in housing and construction. That's pretty good. We're gonna need all of the tradies that we can given this migration crazy wave we've got. And of course, Queensland, with the Olympics coming up in just a few years time, it's creeping up on us.

Bonus topic - building 1.2 million new homes over 5 years, including the 100,000 dedicated first buyer properties.

Australia has never achieved this volume in any five year period. According to Ray White Group chief Economist, Nerida Conisbee, who said that the closest is approximately 1.1 million homes over a decade. A figure achieved with significant foreign capital investment. So what we're talking about here is more houses, in half the time. This pledge by Labor presents an unprecedented construction challenge.

The federal government has vowed to build 1.2 million well located homes by 2029, but is expected to fall short by about 462,000 homes. A Mandala Partners report commissioned by the Property Council of Australia has found. These include building costs, which continue to outpace housing growth, making new construction increasingly uneconomical in Australia. Construction timeframes meanwhile, have extended from 6.5 months before the pandemic, to well over 10 months today.  So if you're building a new home, it's gonna cost more, it's gonna take longer.

Will all these policies fix the market?

Well, that depends on supply. Whilst these policies make ownership easier for many buyers, they don't directly address the immediate lack of available stock, especially in Queensland, where demand often outpaces new builds. Mix in construction costs and developers and builders dropping like flies, entering liquidation, and we have quite the task on our hands.

We'll be watching closely as these programs roll out and as always - Empire Legal. We're going to keep you informed on how this affects you and Queensland Property. If you have any questions about how this might affect your sale or purchase, please contact the team at Empire Legal. We are trusted conveyancers.

This is all very topical stuff for Queenslanders. All these new Labor laws, you want to know what's going on with the property sector. Last thing guys. We're almost add our 1,000 subscribers. I think we should hit it by next week or going to plan. So if you want to be part of the solution, give us a subscribe, leave us a comment, and yeah, thanks for watching.

We'll see you next week.

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Guys, that's it for this week. Thank you so much. As you know, there's not too many property lawyers in Queensland getting out in front of a camera every week, bringing the latest breaking property news to you. It's all free, doesn't cost you a dollar. Just want you to subscribe - so we can help more people get found.

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Thanks for reading everybody. See you on the next one.

Ladies and gentlemen, please keep in mind that all advice is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. This is authorised by George Sourris, Empire Legal, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

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Note: all information is general in nature and as each matter is unique please contact our office for tailored advices: the above does not constitute legal advice.