With housing policy now a key battleground in the federal election, Master Builders Australia has welcomed the attention but is urging both major parties to go further, arguing that first-home buyer incentives alone won’t fix the supply crisis driving up the cost of living.

Master Builders CEO Denita Wawn says the housing shortage is “the single biggest pressure on families” and must be at the centre of Australia’s economic agenda.

Key policies on the table:

Labor:

• $10 billion pledge to deliver 100,000 new homes for first-home buyers.
• Expanded First Home Guarantee with no income cap and higher price thresholds.
• 5% deposit scheme removing the need for lenders’ mortgage insurance, saving buyers up to $23,000.

Coalition:

• Tax deductions for interest repayments on loans up to $650,000, potentially saving buyers up to $12,000 a year for five years.
• Expanded deposit guarantee scheme with income caps ($175k for singles, $250k for couples).
• $5 billion committed to local councils for enabling infrastructure like roads, sewerage and utilities.

Wawn says these measures are welcome but not enough to unlock housing supply. “Costs have gone up more than 40% in five years. That’s not just inflation - it’s delays, red tape, workforce shortages and poor planning systems.”

She welcomed both parties’ focus on apprenticeships but noted only the Coalition has offered employer incentives. Neither party has supported Master Builders’ call for a fast-tracked visa for overseas tradies - something countries like Canada, New Zealand and the UK already offer.

“Builders are ready to deliver, but we need the workforce, materials, and planning systems to get the job done,” Wawn said.

Master Builders is also calling for a review of the National Construction Code to remove unnecessary complexity and reduce compliance costs. The Coalition supports this; Labor has not yet responded.

While both parties have committed funding to social and affordable housing, Wawn says there are gaps. Labor supports the Housing Australia Future Fund. The Coalition opposes it but has yet to propose an alternative.

“At the moment, it’s neck and neck. Both sides have good intentions, but the puzzle is far from complete. We need a full suite of reforms to bring down costs and build more homes. It’s time to stop talking about the crisis - and start fixing it.”