Master Builders Australia has released new independent research by Insightfully into the state of the housing crisis.

The research was conducted 11-18 November among 1,600 voters nationwide.

Two out of three people surveyed said cost of living pressures are the most important issue for them right now.

“These are very sombre figures – households and businesses are hurting," Master Builders Australia’s CEO Denita Wawn said.

"Housing and cost of living must be front and centre this federal election.

 “We've seen the housing crisis worsen over the last 18 months with more than one in three Australians now going without essentials like food or medicine to pay their rent or mortgage.

 “This Christmas, while many will be decorating their homes, a large share will be trying to keep their home.

“The majority of Australians think the Federal Government has more to do to solve the housing crisis and Master Builders agrees," she said.

“Getting more skilled tradies both domestically and from overseas, speeding up planning approvals, simplifying workplace laws, bringing in an industry watchdog to hold unlawful unions to account, and building more critical infrastructure are just some of the policies that have majority community support," Ms Wawn said

“The building and construction industry is ready to get on with the job after a difficult few years, but we can't deliver unless governments do their bit to ease cost pressures and reverse declining productivity.

Key insights include:

• 2 in 3 say cost of living is the most important issue for them (up from 45% in May 2023).
• 1 in 4 say housing is the most important issue for them (up from 8% in November 2023).
• 90% say it’s difficult to afford to buy or rent property in Australia.
• 70% say the Albanese Government has not done enough to address housing issues.
• 85% agree there is a shortage of housing in Australia.
• 7 in 10 say the housing crisis is damaging the quality of life in their community.
• 7 in 10 say the housing crisis has gotten worse over the last 12 months.
• 68% of renters who want to buy a home fear they won’t achieve it within the next 5 years.
• More than 1 in 3 Australians have gone without essentials like food, medicine or education to pay for their rent of mortgage in the last 12 months.
• 39% have struggled to pay their rent or mortgage in the last 12 months.
• 65% say the Federal Government is most responsible for addressing the housing crisis.

All housing policy solutions tested are supported by at least half of Australians (with some as high as 87% support) showing Australians are crying out for sensible and effective policy solutions.