The State of the Housing System 2026 is the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council’s third annual report. This is required under the National Housing and Affordability Council Act 2023.
The Council delivered the Report to the Minister for Housing on 24 April 2026. It was publicly released on 30 April 2026.
Overview
Chapter 1 – Towards better housing outcomes for all Australians
This chapter discusses the Council’s vision for the housing system. It presents recommendations for key reforms and introduces a Housing Outcomes Framework to help guide governments, industry and not for-profits towards achieving better housing outcomes for Australians.
Chapter 2 – Housing system conditions
This chapter discusses supply and demand conditions in the housing system and recent trends observed in housing prices, rents and construction sector activity.
Chapter 3 – Housing affordability
This chapter assesses housing affordability for renters, prospective homeowners, and homeowners with a mortgage in 2025. It tracks changes in housing affordability across capital cities and regional areas.
Chapter 4 – Housing system outlook
This chapter provides Council estimates of housing supply and demand based on data to early 2026 and before recent global disruptions, as part of its assessment of housing system conditions at that time.
Chapter 5 – First Nations housing
This chapter examines the housing experiences of First Nations people and the social factors influencing First Nations housing outcomes. It highlights the shared role of governments, industry and housing providers to work in partnership with First Nations people in improving First Nations housing outcomes across the housing spectrum.