Housing affordability has become one of Australia’s most pressing social and economic challenges. This course explores the causes of the housing crisis, examining policy settings, market forces and social impacts at both national and NSW levels. We consider questions of affordability, supply, security and equity, alongside the human consequences of housing stress. Designed to support informed discussion, the course invites participants to critically engage with current debates shaping housing in Australia today.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

SUGGESTED READING

• Alan Kohler, The Great Divide: Australia’s Housing Mess and How We Got Here (Quarterly Essay) November 2023
• Treasury, National Housing and Homelessness Plan October 2025
• Treasury, National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness
• NSW Government, Homes for NSW Strategy 2025–2035

COURSE OUTLINE

• Overview of Australia’s housing crisis: affordability, rental stress, homelessness and declining home ownership
• How housing markets work: supply, demand and price formation
• Key causes: population growth, construction costs, planning systems and infrastructure constraints
• The role of investors, taxation and financialisation of housing
• Renting in Australia: insecurity, rent increases and policy responses
• Social and affordable housing: history, decline and current shortfalls
• National responses: National Housing Accord, Housing Australia Future Fund and renters’ reforms
• Critique of Commonwealth housing strategy: ambition versus delivery
• NSW housing policies: Homes for NSW Strategy and planning reforms
• Critique of NSW approach: targets, affordability definitions and implementation challenges
• Future directions: what policy choices could make housing more affordable and secure?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the main causes and consequences of Australia’s housing crisis
2. Explain and critically assess current national and NSW government housing policies
3. Engage in informed discussion about policy choices and future directions for improving housing affordability and security