Who is responsible?Understanding the housing policy levers of Commonwealth, state and territory, and local government

Recent commentary in the media has pointed out that the increase in housing affordability stress for lower income households is ‘being driven by a web of decisions being made by all three levels of government’. Just what are some of the major housing policy levers, controlled by Commonwealth; state and territory; and local governments?

Overview

In essence, the Commonwealth Government has responsibility for the policy levers impacting on housing demand; while state and territory, and local governments are mainly responsible for the policy levers impacting on housing supply.