Victoria implements residential zoning reforms to boost housing supply

Australia's 2025 Federal Election has placed the housing crisis at the forefront, with both major parties proposing policies to improve home ownership and housing supply. The government of Victoria is enacting zoning changes in suburbs like Camberwell to increase housing density near infrastructure, aiming to speed up development and expand supply, though these changes are already affecting the property market and raising concerns about neighborhood character. Nationally, the Coalition is emphasizing the expansion of greenfield developments on city outskirts and proposing to ease borrowing constraints, while Labor is focusing on urban infill and offering financial support for first-home buyers, including lower deposit requirements and direct investment in new builds. Experts caution that policies increasing demand without sufficient new supply could further inflate prices and worsen affordability. There is also debate about whether a moderate fall in home values would actually endanger most homeowners, with data showing the majority would retain equity even with a 10% price drop. Ultimately, the core challenge remains balancing increased access to home ownership with the need for greater supply and the long-term stability of the housing market.