Housing Boost Hinges on Innovation as States Roll Out 2025–26 Budgets
A suite of housing-focused measures announced in the 2025–26 State Budgets across the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia has been welcomed by the construction and development sector.
With experts warning that innovation will be critical in turning policy into housing outcomes.
GALLERY
The Queensland Government’s new $165 million Boost to Buy scheme for first home buyers, New South Wales’ $1 billion Pre-Sale Finance Guarantee, and Western Australia’s $37.5 million construction workforce commitment are among a raft of recent funding announcements aimed at improving housing availability and affordability.
However, as Maaken Managing Director Alysha Dew explains, maximising the potential of these initiatives will require more than capital alone.
“By bolstering development viability and product marketability, these state-level initiatives present a significant opportunity for developers and builders to get new projects off the ground quicker,” said Ms Dew. “But it’s sector-wide innovation — including at the supplier and trades level — that will determine how swiftly we can meet supply demands.”
According to Dew, smarter internal infrastructure and tech-backed systems are critical in streamlining building programs and reducing costs. Maaken, which supplies and installs walling, flooring and speciality solutions nationwide, has leaned into automation-based project management to improve consistency and project agility across thousands of builds each year.
On the ground, smart recruitment, upskilling, and labour efficiencies will also be key. From a materials perspective, function-focused innovations are making serious inroads.
“Incorporating products like autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) can reduce build times by multiple weeks per home,” said Ms Dew. “With further advancements in installation techniques and material technology, we’re looking at faster delivery timelines — without compromising durability, sustainability or affordability.”
These state budget announcements coincide with the Australian Government’s broader goal of building 1.2 million new homes by 2029 — a target that demands an industry-wide response in both scale and speed. For now, the message from industry leaders is clear: policy support is welcome, but it’s innovation that will unlock the next generation of housing.
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