Built environment 2025

This list displays the most viewed and downloaded policy and research - across key subject areas - for the last year (from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025). 

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  1. Report

    How the sausage is made: assessing Australian policymaking practices in the energy sector


    This examination of policymaking in the energy sector combines research on the current state of the sector with five in-depth case studies, each measured against an assessment framework to identify areas for improvement. The report makes recommendations towards a more coordinated, evidence-based, and inclusive approach to energy policy.
  2. Report

    State of the housing system: 2025


    The report details Australia’s current housing demand, supply and affordability conditions, and the expectations for these over the coming years. It finds that housing affordability continued to deteriorate in 2024, with worsening trends across most capital cities and regional areas. It makes 15 policy recommendations in five key policy areas.
  3. Report

    Rental affordability snapshot: national report 2025


    Australians on the lowest incomes are struggling to pay the rent in electorates across the country. This snapshot surveyed 51,238 rental listings across Australia. The report argues that choices made by governments over the last 40 years have entrenched inequality in Australia’s private rental market.
  4. Report

    HIA housing policy scoreboard


    This scoreboard ranks and benchmarks each State and Territory by their ability to counter critical housing supply issues, in particular in reference to the goals set out in the 2022 National Housing Accord. Ten policies and mechanisms contribute to the ranking. South Australia leads the ranks, with the Australian Capital Territory ranked lowest.
  5. Report

    Growing social housing: data, insights and targets


    Victoria currently has the lowest proportion of social housing in Australia. This report provides data insights about the demand for social housing and demand as measured by the housing needs of the community in the state. It finds that there's not enough social housing for everyone that needs it and calls for social housing targets.
  6. Policy report

    Less crowded houses: the success of New Zealand’s housing policy reforms and implications for Australia


    This paper examines New Zealand's housing policy reforms since 2011, which focused on streamlining planning processes and increasing density. Preliminary analysis show the success of the measures and suggest that Australia could rapidly improve housing supply and affordability by taking New Zealand's lead.
  7. Report

    GenCost 2024-25: final report


    GenCost is a leading annual economic report that estimates the cost of building new electricity generation, storage and hydrogen production in Australia to 2050. This report recognises that Australia’s future electricity system needs a mix of technologies to remain reliable, secure and flexible – with cost being just one part of the equation.
  8. Report

    Out of reach: Australia’s rental crisis and the decline of social housing


    This report examines how rental prices have changed over the past decade. It shows that rents have soared in every Australian capital city. The findings show that Australia’s social housing system has failed to keep pace with demand. Rent increases are a national problem affecting people from all walks of life.
  9. Report

    Cities for all ages


    This report provides a structured approach for governments at all levels to develop and strengthen policies to build age-inclusive cities. It makes recommendations around inclusive urban planning, age-targeted housing solutions, tailored services and job opportunities, producing age-specific data, and sharing good practices through multi-city collaborations.
  10. Report

    Report on government services 2025: housing and homelessness


    This report on government services (RoGS) provides information on the equity, effectiveness and efficiency of service provision and the achievement of outcomes for the social housing and specialist homelessness services. It provides performance reporting for housing and homelessness services and includes a summary of government expenditure in the sector.