It’s a major boost for home buyers! The Western Australian government has just handed down its 2025-26 State Budget, and we’re thrilled to see a strong focus on tackling the key issues of housing supply and affordability.

REIWA President Suzanne Brown has commended the budget, noting that “innovative solutions are needed to help build affordable new homes.” The new funding introduces several exciting programs designed to help more West Australians enter the property market and to boost the supply of rental homes.

Here at Holdsworth Real Estate, we’ve broken down what these key initiatives mean for you.

A Pathway to Ownership: The New Shared Equity Loan Program

For many aspiring homeowners, saving a large deposit is the biggest hurdle. The introduction of a new shared equity program is a game-changer for many struggling to get their foot on the property ladder.

How it works: The State Government will co-purchase a home with you, taking an equity share of up to 35% of the property’s value (to a maximum of $250,000).

This significantly reduces the deposit you need to save and the amount you need to borrow from a lender. As Ms. Brown noted, “this scheme will help make home ownership more achievable.” It’s a fantastic opportunity for those who have found rising property prices have pushed the goal of ownership just out of reach.

Innovative and Affordable: A Boost for Modular Homes

In a move to encourage faster and more affordable construction, Keystart will introduce a new low-deposit loan product specifically for modular homes.

Modular construction can be a more streamlined and cost-effective alternative to a traditional build. “Keystart’s low deposit modular loan product will make this type of build more accessible for home buyers, which may help boost new home supply,” said Ms. Brown.

This initiative is particularly promising for regional WA, where sourcing tradespeople can be difficult and building costs have risen sharply. It opens up a viable and exciting new path to building a brand-new home.

Investing in the Future: The Build-to-Rent Kickstart Fund

To address the critical shortage of rental properties, the budget has allocated a $72 million Build to Rent Kickstart Fund. This fund will offer no-interest and low-interest construction loans to stimulate the development of large-scale, build-to-rent projects.

While these projects are complex and won’t offer an overnight solution to the current rental crisis, this is a crucial investment in our state’s future.

“There is a strong need for government investment in policies that will create more rental homes,” Ms. Brown stated. “We know this investment won’t have an immediate impact on the market, but it is a move in the right direction and will help meet future demand as our population continues to grow.”

What This Means For You

These government initiatives represent a significant and positive step towards improving housing affordability and supply in Western Australia.

• First-Home Buyers: The shared equity and modular home loan programs create tangible new pathways to owning your own home sooner and with less financial pressure.
• Investors & Developers: The Build-to-Rent fund signals strong government support for innovative housing solutions, creating new opportunities in the development space.

The property market is constantly evolving, and these new programs are set to open up exciting possibilities. If you’d like to understand how you can take advantage of these new initiatives, contact our expert team today. We’re here to help you navigate your next move.