What Australians want

Australia’s housing crisis is spiralling — and “politics as usual” is leaving people behind. 

While decision-makers drag their feet, everyday Australians are doing what they won’t: coming together, listening, debating, and demanding action. 

In February, something remarkable happened. 

We brought 100 Australians—left and right, young and old, renters and homeowners—into one room. Over three days in Sydney, they didn’t just talk. They found uncommon ground. 

Their message? 

Current housing policies are not enough. We need more bolder action. Starting with building more homes. Now.

What Australians want - loud and clear

Faced with tough choices and armed with expert input, participants reached powerful consensus. 

From 13 bold housing reforms, they landed on five urgent priorities: 

• Build smarter, faster: Use pre-fabricated housing to deliver homes more quickly and affordably. 
• Support commuter communities: Allow more mid-rise housing near public transport hubs. 
• Protect renters: Strengthen security and standards for the one-third of Australians who rent. 
• Invest in social housing: Scale up construction nationwide to support those who need it most. 
• Unblock gentle density: Make it easier to build granny flats, tiny homes and garage conversions.

Minds changed. Priorities shifted. Hope grew. 

Before the event, people were unsure. By the end, they weren’t just informed—they were united. 

After engaging with the facts and each other, participants shifted their views in meaningful ways: 

Support increased for most reforms – and surged most for stronger renters’ protections and more skilled tradies from overseas to speed up construction.

Interestingly, the biggest swing for renters' rights came from an unlikely source - participants who owned investment properties. They changed their mind after hearing the evidence on international comparisons and talking to renters in the room.  

People also rethought what’s really driving the crisis—and what will actually fix it. 

At the end of the Amplification, participants agreed that the main causes of the housing crisis were barriers to building more homes: the high costs of land and construction, lack of investment in public and affordable housing, and excessive regulations and taxes on construction.  
 
However, people were much less likely to think that foreign investment was a major driver.

But something even deeper happened… 

When people feel heard, they listen more. 

After three days of intense, respectful discussion, participants left with more than policy proposals. They left with a renewed belief in each other. 

They felt seen. They felt hopeful. And they believed—more than ever—that Australians can find uncommon ground and push for real reform.

These results demonstrate how we’re trying to build a new kind of public conversation — one that’s brings everyday Australians together to find consensus and drive change.  

Our Housing Amplification was just the beginning. But it proved something important: 
Australians are ready. Are our leaders?