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The newly re-elected Labor Government’s policies will likely have an impact on the Ipswich market in the months ahead. Whilst the Albanese government’s housing package aims to improve housing affordability, some experts warn Labor’s housing plan may drive property prices higher in the near term before supply-side measures can take effect.

Here’s some of the of the key measures that may impact our market.

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• First Home Buyers Guarantee – From January 2026 all first home buyers will be able to purchase a home with a 5% deposit without paying lender’s mortgage insurance. Prices on eligible properties will also be lifted and there will be no income caps or limits on the number of participants. The price cap in Brisbane and Ipswich for example will be lifted from $700,000 to $1,000,000. In Ipswich for a median priced home this could mean the difference between needing a $160,000 deposit or just $40,000 to enter the market.  We believe this policy will see a significant increase in first home buyers entering the market form January 2026 ultimately driving price growth in the short term. This presents an opportunity for those ready and able to enter the market this year.  

• Help to Buy – Labor’s Help to Buy shared equity scheme, where the government covers up to 40 per cent of a home’s cost is set to be expanded later this year. Smaller mortgages mean lower repayments and allow those with limited borrowing capacity to purchase a better quality home. This scheme also supports first home buyers entering our market and may increase competition at lower price points.

• Rent Relief - Labor has delivered a 45 per cent increase in Commonwealth Rent Assistance – the biggest back-to-back increase in over 30 years. This support is crucial for tenants struggling with significant rental increases over recent years but paradoxically also supports this rental growth and ultimately improves yields for investors.

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Ray White chief economist Nerida Conisbee provides some further insights. “By removing the substantial barrier of lenders’ mortgage insurance and the need for a 20 per cent deposit, the policy dramatically lowers the entry threshold to homeownership,” Ms Conisbee said.

However, economic fundamentals suggest the policy is likely to drive price growth in the short term, Ms Conisbee adds.

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“The Productivity Commission’s research on first homebuyer incentives consistently shows that measures increasing purchasing power, without commensurate supply increases, typically lead to price escalation in targeted market segments,” she said.

“With more buyers able to enter the market simultaneously and competing for the existing housing stock, upward price pressure becomes inevitable.”

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The Ipswich market has been a little quieter in the last few weeks with long weekends and uncertainty surrounding the election. However it’s likely to become more competitive over the course of this year as interest rates fall and again next year when the government’s new policies come into play. Our advice would be to enter the market now ahead of the next growth cycle if you are able to. If you are a first home buyer and plan to take advantage of the upgraded First Home Buyer Guarantee 5% deposit  scheme, use the next 6 months to “get your ducks in a row” and be ready to buy early in 2026.

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Remember, if you want to be a property owner then you have to be a property buyer!

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