Federal government commits $2b over four years for infrastructure to unlock home building
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: The 2026 budget will include an additional $2 billion spend over the next four years to fund critical infrastructure that will help add an extra 65,000 homes to the national housing supply over the next decade.
The context: The additional funding is being described by the government as a critical “unlock” for infrastructure required to finish housing projects that require roads, water, power and sewerage to be built. It is being dubbed the Local Infrastructure Fund by the government.
The money will be directed to local governments and state utility providers. Out of the total funds, $500 million will be kept aside for regional parts of the country.
Housing affordability and intergenerational fairness are cornerstone issues for the federal government, which is expected to hand down a budget that winds back some housing concessions for multiple property investors.
The numbers: On Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ tally, this additional investment brings the total spend on infrastructure to unlock housing up to $6.3 billion and $47 billion in housing overall since Anthony Albanese became prime minister.
What they said: Chalmers said in a statement that “building more homes is a big focus of this budget”.
“In this budget, we’re investing billions of dollars to build more homes for Australians,” he said.
“Right now, it’s too hard for too many Australians to get into their own home and get ahead and that’s why we’re investing in supply.
“Our housing plan is pro-aspiration and it’s pro-investment. We’re coming at this housing challenge from every responsible angle, and boosting supply is central to that,” he said.
The source: Treasurer media release
