The move this week to defer the deadline on applications for the HomeBuilder scheme has been broadly welcomed by the housing industry.
On 26 March, The Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Small Business, the Hon Julie Collins MP, announced the Government’s intent to negotiate with the states and territories to extend the deadline for document submission under HomeBuilder from 30 April 2023 to 30 June 2025 for applicants who bought off-the-plan and applicants engaged in substantial renovations.
The extension will apply to existing, already-approved HomeBuilder applicants who had received formal approval under the scheme for off-the-plan purchases or renovations.
This will support applicants who had entered into financial commitments on the basis they would receive the grant but through no fault of their own were affected by supply constraints and construction industry delays.
Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said that weather disruptions and constraints in the supply chain, including labour and material shortages, have caused unprecedented delays to building timelines.
“We have seen the average time it takes to build a home shift from nine to over 12 months”, Wawn noted.
“The extension allows builders to ensure there’s adequate time to deliver on projects during a time that has seen a perfect storm of pressures in the industry.
“We thank Minister Julie Collins for listening to the concerns of builders and the community so Australians are not missing out on the opportunity to have their home building dreams become a reality.
“HomeBuilder effectively saved businesses and jobs during the height of the pandemic.
“Families rightfully seized the opportunity to enter the home ownership market and it’s only fair that these projects can be followed through to completion”, Wawn concluded.
Property Council Chief Executive Mike Zorbas said moving the deadline is the right thing to do.
“The new home aspect of HomeBuilder was a remarkably successful job saver and confidence booster during and after the most severe health related lockdowns in more than a century”, Zorbas said.
“Retaining the positive promise of a scheme we hope is never needed again, is thoughtful public policy,” he added.
Treasury advises that applicants continue working to the existing 30 April 2023 deadline until further notice, and that as states and territories remain responsible for administering HomeBuilder, applicants should direct application questions to their relevant state or territory revenue office.
