Independent research by Insightfully, commissioned by Master Builders Australia, painted a stark picture of Australia’s housing crisis.
Conducted in November with 1,600 voters nationwide, the study reveals mounting concerns about affordability, quality of life, and government response.
The research highlighted a significant shift in public priorities. Two-thirds of Australians now say cost of living is their top concern, up from 45% in May.
Housing has also become a critical issue, with one in four voters ranking it as their primary concern – an increase from just 8% a year ago.
Alarmingly, 90% of respondents believe housing affordability is a major challenge, while 85% agree there is a severe housing shortage.
Seven in 10 Australians say the housing crisis is damaging their community’s quality of life, with the same proportion stating the situation has worsened in the past year.
The financial strain of housing is leading to significant sacrifices.
More than one-third of Australians have gone without essentials like food, medicine, or education to cover housing costs in the last year. Additionally, 39% have struggled to pay their rent or mortgage during the same period.
Among renters aspiring to homeownership, 68% fear it won’t be achievable within the next five years.
Public sentiment strongly favours government intervention, with 65% holding the federal government primarily responsible for addressing the crisis.
Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn (pictured above) called for urgent action.
“These are very sombre figures – households and businesses are hurting. Housing and cost of living must be front and center this federal election,” Wawn said.
She emphasised solutions such as increasing skilled labour, expediting planning approvals, simplifying workplace laws, and building critical infrastructure.
“The building and construction industry is ready to deliver, but governments must ease cost pressures and reverse declining productivity,” Wawn said.
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