A clear majority of Australians are calling for changes to housing tax settings, with new research from AMPLIFY pointing to broad support for reform across age groups, regions and political preferences.
The survey of more than 4,000 people found that 75 per cent support changes to housing-related taxes, including stamp duty and capital gains tax. Around 65 per cent back adjustments to the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing, two features that have long shaped property investment in Australia.
Support for reform appears to cut across traditional divides. Respondents from metropolitan and regional areas, as well as those from different generations and political leanings, largely agree that the current system is not working as intended. Only 18 per cent believe existing settings should remain unchanged.
One notable finding is the level of support among property investors themselves. The research suggests that 65 per cent of landlords and investors are open to changes to the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing, policies often seen as politically sensitive due to their perceived impact on investment behaviour.
Georgina Harrisson, chief executive of AMPLIFY, said the results reflect a growing consensus that the current approach to housing taxation is failing to address affordability concerns. She argued that existing tax settings add costs, do little to encourage new housing supply and can discourage people from moving when their circumstances change.
The findings arrive at a time when housing affordability remains a persistent issue across Australia, with rising prices and limited supply continuing to dominate public debate. While tax reform has been proposed in the past, it has often proven politically difficult, particularly when it involves changes to concessions that benefit property owners.
The survey also explored how Australians would prefer any additional revenue from housing tax changes to be used. The most common response, at 34 per cent, was to direct funds towards building more homes. This was followed by 28 per cent who favoured lowering income taxes, and 19 per cent who supported using the revenue to reduce national debt.
AMPLIFY is now urging the federal government to consider targeted changes to the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing, alongside a broader review of taxes affecting housing, construction and investment. The group has also called for closer collaboration between federal and state governments, particularly given the role of stamp duty and other state-based taxes in shaping the housing market.
The debate around housing tax reform remains complex. Proponents argue that adjusting tax incentives could help rebalance the market, making it easier for first-time buyers to enter while encouraging more efficient use of existing housing stock. Critics, however, caution that abrupt changes could disrupt investment and reduce rental supply, potentially placing upward pressure on rents in the short term.
With the federal budget approaching, the issue is likely to remain in focus. The research suggests that public expectations are shifting, with many Australians looking for policy changes that address affordability without simply increasing the overall tax burden.
Whether that sentiment translates into concrete policy action will depend on how policymakers weigh competing priorities, including housing supply, investor confidence and broader economic conditions. For now, the message from the survey is straightforward: many Australians believe the current system needs adjustment, and they expect the government to respond.
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