Housing Legislation Amendment (National Definition of Affordable Housing) Bill 2026

Summary

This legislation creates a single, national definition of what counts as 'affordable housing' across Australia, replacing the different standards currently used by various states and territories. Currently, each state and local council can define affordable housing differently, which creates confusion and makes it harder to track and plan housing assistance programs. By establishing one clear definition that applies everywhere, the government aims to make it easier for housing providers, developers, and policymakers to work together on solving Australia's housing shortage, and to ensure that housing assistance programs are applied fairly and consistently no matter where someone lives.

What happens at this stage

The main debate on whether the chamber supports the broad purpose of the bill. Members speak to its overall merits and concerns rather than the fine print. The government outlines its policy intentions; the opposition and crossbench put their case. This is the stage that determines whether the bill proceeds at all.

Next: Consideration in Detail (House) or Committee of the Whole (Senate), where the bill is examined clause by clause