Media Release – Kerry Vincent, Minister for Housing and Planning, 15 March 2026
Over 1,000 Households Helped into Their First Home
The Tasmanian Government’s MyHome Shared Equity Program has hit a major milestone.
Over 1,000 Tasmanian households have accessed the scheme, achieving the dream of owning their first home.
Minister for Housing and Planning, Kerry Vincent, said this was about more than numbers.
“Over 1,000 Tasmanian households helped is a very special milestone,” Minister Vincent said.
“Owning your own home for as little as a two per cent deposit has been lifechanging for thousands of Tasmanians.
“These are real people helped into real houses, and we’re ready to see 1,000 more.”
In order to assist more Tasmanians into homeownership, the Tasmanian Government confirmed with Federal Housing Minister, Clare O’Neil, on Wednesday that the state would join the federal Help to Buy Scheme.
“We want to open as many doors as we can to first home ownership,” Minister Vincent said.
“The Help to Buy Scheme has been rolling out nationwide, and I want to thank Federal Member for Lyons, Rebecca White, for her collaborative and constructive partnership.
“Our Liberal Government is delivering for Tasmania by providing opportunities for people to purchase their own home with as little as a 2 per cent deposit.
“Over 1,000 households helped into their first home is something we can all be proud of.”
Media Release – Meg Brown MP, Shadow Minister for Housing, 15 March 2026
Liberals Finally Sign Tasmania Up to Help to Buy
Tasmanian Labor welcomes the Liberal Government’s decision to finally sign Tasmania up to the Federal Labor Government’s Help to Buy scheme.
This is a positive step that will help more Tasmanians into their first home sooner, by lowering the deposit required and reducing the size of the mortgage needed.
Importantly, the scheme comes at no cost to the Tasmanian Government.
That’s why it has been so frustrating that the Liberals have spent months refusing to participate while every other state and territory got on with the job.
Tasmanians were being locked out of support available everywhere else in the country for no good reason.
Labor has repeatedly called on the Liberals to sign Tasmania up to Help to Buy, including through public advocacy and direct correspondence with the Housing Minister alongside Federal Labor.
It shouldn’t have taken this long.
With Tasmania facing a housing crisis and the state budget under enormous pressure, the Liberal Government should be looking for every opportunity to take advantage of sensible Federal Government initiatives that help Tasmanians without costing the state a cent.
Help to Buy is exactly that kind of initiative.
The important thing now is that Tasmanians will finally have access to another pathway into home ownership.
More support and more options will help more Tasmanians achieve the dream of owning their own home.
Media Release – Eric Abetz, Treasurer, 17 March 2026
First Home Builders Building Their Dreams
More than 80 Tasmanian households have accessed the Tasmanian Government’s boosted First Home Owner Grant, providing assistance to help them into their own home.
Since 2014 almost 8,000 Tasmanians households have been assisted in the purchase of their first home through the First Home Owner Grant.
The Tasmanian Government delivered on its commitment to triple the program to $30,000 over 2025-26, with 81 households already receiving the boosted grant.
Treasurer Eric Abetz welcomed these figures.
“These are real Tasmanians who are being supported into their own home,” the Treasurer said.
“By offering these incentives, we’ve helped Tasmanians into their first home sooner.
“This delivers greater security and is an investment in our young people’s future.
“Our Government is ensuring we’re opening the door to more homes for more Tasmanians.
“We are delivering for Tasmania by supporting more people into their own homes, stimulating the construction market and helping to keep our economy strong.”
Media Release – Kerry Vincent, Minister for Housing and Planning, 18 March 2026
Supersized Granny Flats for the Whole Family
The Tasmanian Government is progressing plans to make building bigger granny flats even easier.
Previously, Tasmanians looking to build something larger than the traditional granny flat have needed to undertake more expensive options to meet their needs.
Minister for Housing and Planning, Kerry Vincent, said the Government was making it easier for people to build the home they want and need.
“A 60m2 granny flat is great for a single or a couple, but it locks out much more of the market,” Minister Vincent said.
“By increasing the size of a granny flat by 50 per cent, we are supporting families to embrace medium density living.
“These changes give families room to grow as life changes, while maintaining the ability to upsize their existing property.
“There is an appetite in the market for this type of medium-density build, and supersized granny flats really do meet that requirement.
“We are delivering more homes for Tasmanians, and this common-sense planning change will make building cheaper and easier for families.
“It allows us to build greater density in our urban areas meaning intergenerational homes, greater home security and support for the construction industry.”
Media Release – YIMBY Hobart, 18 March 2026
Bigger Granny Flats Welcome, But Government Left the Real Reform on the Table
YIMBY Hobart welcomes the Tasmanian Government’s decision to increase the allowable size of secondary residences from 60m² to 90m². More homes on existing blocks is a practical step that will help some Tasmanians find a place to live.
But this is a fraction of what the Government’s own Improving Residential Standards process recommended. That process, which ran from 2022 to 2024 and drew on extensive industry and community input, proposed making multi-dwelling developments “no permit required” in the General Residential and Inner Residential Zones. It recommended removing prescriptive density controls, increasing height limits and introducing bonuses for social housing.
Those proposals would have opened the door to townhouses, duplexes and small apartment buildings across our suburbs without the cost and delay of a full planning permit. Instead, the Government has cherry-picked the least ambitious element and left the rest of the reform sitting on a shelf.
A bigger granny flat is not medium density. Tasmania needs a planning system that makes it straightforward to build two, three or four homes on a single lot in our established suburbs. The Improving Residential Standards work showed how to do it. The Government should get on with it.
“We’re glad to see the size cap on granny flats lifted,” YIMBY Hobart spokesperson Lachlan Rule said.
“But let’s be honest about what this is and what it isn’t. A granny flat in the backyard is not the same as making it easy to build a townhouse or a duplex. The Government had a blueprint for real medium-density reform and chose not to use it.”
“Tasmanians need more homes where they already want to live – close to jobs, schools and public transport,” YIMBY Hobart spokesperson Susan Wallace said.
“The Improving Residential Standards process showed a clear path to unlocking that kind of housing in our existing suburbs. We’d like to see the Government revive those proposals and give families genuine choices, not just a slightly bigger shed out the back.”
Media Release – Andrew Wilkie, Independent Member for Clark, 21 March 2026
Tiny Homes Could Unlock Affordable Housing with Simple Rule Changes
Independent MPs, Senators and tiny house advocates are calling for targeted reforms to building and planning rules to recognise alternative, innovative housing options including tiny homes as a distinct housing type and help ease housing affordability pressures in Tasmania.
Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, said tiny homes could provide a practical and affordable housing option if governments worked together to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers.
“Tasmania desperately needs more affordable housing options, and tiny homes can be part of the solution. At the moment, compliance is tricky. A tiny house that can be registered on the road is usually treated like a caravan, but as soon as someone wants to live in it permanently and connect to services, it’s assessed as a full dwelling.” Mr Wilkie said.
“The National Construction Code needs to be updated to recognise tiny homes. Most tiny homes on wheels currently struggle to comply with the National Construction Code because they’re built as lightweight trailer structures rather than fixed buildings. As a result, many owners feel they have little choice but to fly under the council’s radar.”
Independent Senator for Tasmania, Tammy Tyrrell, said “We have a housing crisis because we’ve made it too hard and too expensive to simply put a roof over someone’s head. Tiny homes and prefabricated units aren’t just a ‘lifestyle choice’—for many Tasmanians, they are the fastest, most sustainable way to own a home without being shackled with a debt they can never repay.”
“It’s great to see new funding for this in the 2025-26 Budget, but money only solves half the problem. If we keep using ‘gold-plated’ planning regulations designed for a standard three-bedroom house to block someone from putting a tiny home on a block of land, we are failing. We need to cut the red tape, embrace medium-density living, and extend schemes like the Home Guarantee. My goal is to make sure that whether it’s a tiny home, or a shared equity flat, Tasmanians actually have a path to a front door they can call their own.”
Peter George, Independent member for the Tasmanian seat of Franklin, said “Federal and State governments should be working together urgently on a suite of measures that will unlock solutions to our housing crisis. Tiny home living suits a growing number of people for a whole range of reasons and making that an easier choice simply makes good sense.”
Tiny House advocate Clare Glade-Wright said collaboration between federal, state and local governments would be essential.
“It is unacceptable that in a housing crisis, there are Tiny Homes that people have built but are locked up in storage because there is no pathway for approval. Regulations that are fit for purpose will bring those flying up council’s radar into compliance.”
“I’m committed to bringing together all levels of government to drive these reforms. With the right policy settings, tiny homes could become an excellent and affordable housing option for many Tasmanians while easing pressure in the broader housing market.”
Media Release – Peter George, Independent MP for Franklin, 21 March 2026
Tiny Homes to Help Tackle Housing Shortages – Independent Franklin MP Backs Building Code Reforms
Independent MP for Franklin, Peter George, alongside others, is calling for Federal and State collaboration to kick-start building reforms that unlock innovative ways to tackle the housing crisis in Tasmania – and across the nation.
“I’m standing side-by-side with Federal and State colleagues in calling on Federal and State governments to make ‘tiny home’ living an easier choice for people in need of housing security,” George said.
“The move should be part of a suite of measures that could unlock the solutions to our housing crisis.
“By some estimates, there may be 400 tiny homes in Tasmania but most ‘fly beneath the radar’ or are deliberately ignored by local councils because the inflexibility of State planning codes.
“Sweeping and imaginative changes in the 2025 National Construction Code, especially around sustainability, accessibility and use of ecofriendly materials is welcomed. Now we need to align responsible building with innovative solution to tackle the growing crisis in housing nationwide.
“The starting place is planning and building reform that encourages innovation and flexibility to meet many different needs before the dream of home ownership becomes just that – a dream.
“Tiny homes can be part of the solution on a temporary or permanent basis for a wide range of people.”
Homelessness is rising faster in Tasmania than on the mainland with about around 2,300 Tasmanians without homes at any one time; rental costs have increased by 43% in five years while vacancy rates have plummeted. More than 5,000 Tasmanians are waiting up to 80 weeks for social housing.
“Tiny homes, flat pack housing, structurally engineered timber dwellings and denser inner-city accommodation should all be part of a holistic approach to reforming building codes to solve the growing housing shortage within our lifetimes.
All this can be done sustainably and affordably if Federal, State and local governments collaborate.
And none of it needs to be reinvented – there are outstanding models to be found globally from which we can take lessons in how to house all our communities no matter what their incomes or situations.
Media Release – Kerry Vincent, Minister for Housing and Planning, 25 March 2026
Help to Buy Soon Available to Tasmanians
The Tasmanian Government has today introduced legislation to deliver the Federal Help to Buy shared equity home purchase scheme.
This legislation comes following detailed consideration of the program following its release in December last year.
Minister for Housing and Planning, Kerry Vincent, thanked Federal Housing Minister Clare O’Neil and Labor Member for Lyons Rebecca White for their collaboration.
“This is a positive step forward for Tasmanians, and I appreciate the constructive way that both Minister O’Neil and Ms White approached this,” Minister Vincent said.
“We were clear from the outset we needed further information before we could implement this scheme.
“Our MyHome Share Equity Program is kicking goals, with over 1,000 households assisted into home ownership.
“Now, with the information needed to assess the impact of this scheme in Tasmania we feel confident to move forward.
“This Government is delivering greater housing options for Tasmanians.”
Media Release – City of Hobart, 1 April 2026
New Incentive to Boost Inner-City Housing Supply
Hundreds of new homes could be unlocked across Hobart’s inner city under a new City of Hobart incentive designed to get approved housing projects built.
The Hobart Inner City Housing Supply Incentive Policy targets one of the city’s biggest housing challenges — the gap between developments that have planning approval and those that actually proceed to construction.
The policy will focus on multi-dwelling developments of five or more homes, as well as the conversion of upper floors of existing buildings into residential use, across central Hobart, North Hobart and the waterfront.
A key feature of the policy is a five-year, 100 per cent rates remission for eligible developments, alongside the potential reimbursement of development application fees.
The incentive will apply from the financial year in which construction begins.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the policy was about removing barriers to delivery.
The policy includes clear eligibility criteria and governance arrangements to ensure developments are ready to proceed, including requiring all necessary approvals and, where applicable, review by the Urban Design Advisory Panel.
The City’s contribution would form part of a broader effort to support housing delivery.
Hobart currently has a significant gap between approved developments and those being built, with around 900 approved dwellings yet to be delivered.
The City will monitor uptake of the incentive and review its effectiveness after an initial implementation period.
Clear public information on eligibility and how to apply will be made available as the policy is rolled out.
Media Release – Guy Barnett, Minister for Small Business, Trade and Consumer Affairs, 2 April 2026
Tasmanians Are Encouraged to Have Their Say on Modernising the Residential Tenancy Act
Tasmanians can now have their say on modernising the Residential Tenancy Act.
Minister for Small Business, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Guy Barnett, said the review is about ensuring Tasmania’s rental laws remain fair, balanced and fit for purpose and support housing supply.
“This is about improving protections for tenants while preserving the right of property owners and housing providers to make reasonable decisions about the use and management of their property,” Minister Barnett said.
“It reflects our commitment to ensuring tenancy legislation remains contemporary and effective to deliver better outcomes for all Tasmanians.
“The discussion paper is a key component of the Tasmanian Government’s Housing Strategy Action Plan and provides an important opportunity for the community to help shape future reforms.
“We want your feedback and views on the scope and effectiveness of the Act, including matters that could be added, removed or changed in our existing laws.
“Your feedback will play a vital role in delivering tenancy laws that are fair, practical, and sustainable for the future.”
The discussion paper is open for public comment until June 12. It is available here.
Media Release – Vica Bayley MP, Greens Housing Spokesperson, 2 April 2026
Greens Welcome Commencement of Tenancy Act Review
The Greens welcome the commencement of a long-awaited review of Tasmania’s rental laws, with the release of a discussion paper for public comment. We’ll keep fighting to make sure the reform of outdated rental laws gives renters real rights.
Things have been really tough for Tasmanian renters. Rents just keep going up, while the number of homes available keeps going down. Finding an affordable place to live has become increasingly difficult, forcing some onto the public housing waitlist.
Tasmania’s rental laws are currently some of the worst in the country. They’ve left Tasmanians vulnerable to landlords jacking up their rent or kicking them out for no reason.
The housing crisis is only getting worse and it’s past time we stopped unreasonable rent increases, ended no cause evictions and ensured minimum energy efficiency standards for rentals.
We’ve been fighting for reforms for renters for a long time, and we welcome the government considering these in its discussion paper. Other much-needed reforms, like reigning in the loss of whole-home rentals to AirBnB, sits outside this Act and need to be dealt with separately.
While real rights for renters are long overdue, we’ll continue to work with all members of Parliament and the community to improve the supply and affordability of housing. Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.
Media Release – Vica Bayley MP, Greens Housing Spokesperson, 2 April 2026
Stadium Will Impact Housing Cost and Supply
A new report from the Housing Industry Association reinforces fears about the negative impact of the stadium on housing, finding it could drive up housing costs and slow the delivery of new homes. The Liberals need to stop putting building a stadium before building homes for Tasmanians.
Ask any tradie and they’ll tell you – they can only just keep up with the current demand for building homes. Add a massive project like the stadium into the mix, and there just isn’t going to be enough skilled tradespeople to get both jobs done.
Many factors, including the cost of the workforce, is going to drive up the already blown-out costs of the stadium. But to add insult to Tasmanians who conclusively reject the stadium, it’s going to mean higher costs and delays for Tasmanians just trying to get a roof over their head. If Hobart has to house a fly-in workforce it’s only going to make things worse.
The Greens have been raising these concerns for a long time. But at every stage, the Liberals have refused to tell Tasmanians the truth about the impact of the stadium on the state’s housing supply.
There’s more than five thousand Tasmanians on the social housing waitlist, rental vacancy rates keep getting lower and rents are rising. Building the homes Tasmanians need should be a top priority for the Rockliff Government.
Instead, they’ve been focussed on building a stadium Tasmanians don’t want and don’t need. It’s time they got their priorities straight and put Tasmanians struggling to get a roof over their heads above their roofed stadium.
Media Release – Guy Barnett, Minister for Small Business, Trade and Consumer Affairs, 14 April 2026
Labor Wants Tasmanians to Pay More for Housing
Labor’s stance on the National Construction Code will drive up costs, increase red tape and hurt housing supply.
The Tasmanian Government will today debate the National Construction Code freeze in the House of Assembly.
Minister for Small Business, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Guy Barnett, said Labor is actively undermining efforts to build more homes and drive costs down.
“We’re building as much housing as we can, as fast as we can,” Minister Barnett said.
“The decision to pause the incoming National Construction Code changes represents a deliberate, responsible step to deliver more housing.
“Our Government, along with some other states like the New South Wales Labor Government, have opted to hit pause on these NCC changes.
“Federal Labor has also agreed to pause the National Construction Code changes, as confirmed by Federal Minister Julie Collins last week.
“The Winter-Willie opposition wants to make Tasmanians pay more for housing and to add more red tape for industry.
“Every single extra bit of red tape and regulation Labor want to shackle our builders with means less homes at a higher price.
“Our Liberal Government backs builders, jobs and families. Labor backs more regulation, more delays and more cost.”
