GBCA Chief Executive Officer Davina Rooney says the Budget signals a growing understanding that housing affordability extends beyond the upfront purchase price to include the ongoing cost of living in a home.

“As Australia works to accelerate housing supply, we have an opportunity to ensure new homes are efficient, climate resilient and ready for a net zero future,” she says.

Davina Rooney / Western Sydney University

The Budget builds on momentum established by the release of the Built Environment Sector Plan (BESP) late last year, alongside an $85 million investment package supporting programs including NABERS, NatHERS and Commercial Building Disclosure. Together, these initiatives have laid important groundwork for the next stage of Australia’s housing and decarbonisation agenda.

“The Built Environment Sector Plan recognised that better buildings are central to Australia’s economic and climate future. The challenge now is scaling delivery,” Rooney says.

A number of Budget measures are expected to support the delivery of more efficient, resilient and future-ready homes and buildings.
Among the headline measures is $97.2 million over five years to deliver the National Consumer Energy Resources Roadmap, including the creation of a National Technical Regulator to help households better integrate solar, batteries and electric vehicles into the energy grid.

“Consumer energy resources are becoming an increasingly important part of how Australians manage household energy costs and participate in the energy transition. Smarter, more flexible homes can also play a major role in strengthening the resilience and efficiency of the energy system,” Rooney says.

The Budget also allocates $4.5 million over four years to strengthen the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme.

“Efficient homes aren’t just about energy. Water efficiency also plays an important role in reducing long-term household costs and strengthening resilience in a changing climate,” she says.

In addition, the Federal Government has committed another $2 billion towards enabling infrastructure for new housing developments.
“As Australia builds more homes, we also need to ensure communities are supported by the infrastructure required for long-term resilience and liveability,” Rooney says.

The Budget includes $42.7 million over four years to provide free public access to Standards Australia standards referenced in legislation, a move expected to streamline access to the technical requirements underpinning the National Construction Code.

“Improving access to standards is a practical productivity reform that can support faster, more consistent delivery across the building and construction sector,” Rooney says.

Additional funding has also been allocated to strengthen climate risk management capability across the Australian Public Service.

“Strong implementation capability will become increasingly important as Australia’s climate, resilience and housing policies continue to mature,” she says.

The Government will invest a further $17 million in 2026–27 to continue Australia’s circular economy reforms, including policy, program and legislative initiatives aimed at improving resource efficiency and reducing waste.

“Circular economy principles will play an increasingly important role in reducing waste, improving material efficiency and strengthening sustainable supply chains across the built environment,” Rooney says.

The Budget also provides funding to establish the National Environmental Protection Agency, including $36.9 million over two years to administer the Nature Repair Market and develop additional methods to attract investment in nature and support environmental offsets.

Rooney says resilience remained a central theme throughout the Budget’s housing and infrastructure agenda, although further investment opportunities remain.

“Measures supporting water efficiency, climate risk management capability and insurance transparency are positive steps. However, continued investment in resilient building standards and future-ready homes will remain critical as climate risks intensify,” she says.

“The built environment is an area where affordability, resilience and emissions reduction can be delivered together. We look forward to continuing to work constructively with the Albanese Government to deliver homes and buildings that are better for all Australians.”

Image: Pressmaster / Envato

Clémence Carayol

Let’s connect!