The number of planners Australia-wide has increased dramatically over the past 30 years, but key outcomes have only worsened. This research analysed four decades of planning workforce and housing delivery data to expose the crisis facing Australia's planning system. Red tape has created a productivity crisis that more planners can't fix. To solve this complex problem, it is necessary to examine not only planner supply, but also planner demand. 

Key findings

• In 1986, Australia built 54 homes for every practicing planner. And in 2025, that number has dropped to fewer than 9 homes per planner.
• In 1999, it took 55 days to get a permit for 10 dwellings. In 2022, it took 371 days to get a permit for 10 dwellings.
• This large reduction in planner output has accompanied an enormous increase in planner supply, with the number of practicing planners increasing much faster than housing costs over the same time period.
• Planning peak bodies have declared an emergency planner shortage, and stated that the only viable solution is to increase planner supply.