The report on government services provides information on the equity, effectiveness and efficiency of government services in Australia. This report provides performance reporting for housing and homelessness services. It includes a summary of government expenditure in the sector. Total government funding for social housing and specialist homelessness services was around $7.7 billion in 2024‑25.

This research looked at how Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) – the most expensive demand-side housing support program in Australia – affects low-income families who rent privately. This research helps to understand how effective CRA is at reducing disadvantage and improving wellbeing. It also shows how these effects pass to children of households that receive CRA.

This research looks at what shapes the investment behaviour of small-scale, residential landlords. It presents new evidence on rental investment behaviour and examines the potential impacts of policy changes on landlords’ costs of supplying rental housing, along with the effects on affordability for tenants.

Western Australia (WA) is experiencing an ongoing housing crisis. To address this crisis, the WA Government committed $24.4 million to develop and implement the WA Rent Relief Program. This impact evaluation of the program assesses the program’s effectiveness in addressing immediate client needs and identifies long-term improvements in housing stability and financial wellbeing outcomes.

Non-binding advice is provided prior to each Federal Budget on how the Government can increase economic inclusion and reduce disadvantage. The advice encompasses policy settings, systems and structures. This report provides 10 recommendations to enhance economic inclusion and to inform the Government’s decision making for the 2025-26 Federal Budget.