Mission Australia reveals 2025 Federal Election priorities

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With the Federal Election campaign underway, Mission Australia, one of Australia’s largest community housing and community service charities, has shared its Federal Election priorities, urging all political parties and candidates to prioritise investment in safe, affordable housing, support for young people and ending poverty and homelessness.

Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister said, “We urge all parties and candidates to prioritise and commit to significant investments in social and affordable housing and homelessness prevention.

“Mission Australia also calls for greater support for young people facing adversity, and poverty alleviation measures, including increases to income support payments and Commonwealth Rent Assistance. We need a fairer Australia for all, with major commitments and policies that will help people with the least.”

Key priorities include:

1. Everyone has a safe and affordable home where they can thrive:
   • Significantly boost the number of social and affordable homes to 10% of all housing stock to meet the need in the community.
   • Mandate a portion of affordable homes in all new large-scale apartment developments across Australia.
   • Create a $500 million Homelessness Prevention Transformation Fund to finally end homelessness.
2. No one lives in poverty:
   • Raise the rate of Jobseeker and other income support payments to at least $82 a day.
   • Increase financial payments through Commonwealth Rent Assistance and ensure that it remains an effective payment for those struggling to pay rent.
   • Legislate an end to child poverty and make children a priority in the Measuring What Matters national wellbeing framework to drive community action.
3. Young people facing adversity are not left behind:
   • Fund 15,000 youth tenancies across Australia each year for homeless young people.
   • Construct ten 40-unit Youth Foyers to support young people’s housing and education, training or employment needs.
   • Fund services for young people to recover from alcohol and other drugs misuse, particularly residential services and aftercare supports.

Ms Callister continued: “As one of Australia’s largest community housing and service providers, every day we see the struggles of people unable to afford housing or essential needs. Many are just one rent increase, job loss or bill away from homelessness.

“Our homelessness services have seen a 19 per cent increase in demand in the past year, and our staff are facing unprecedented challenges securing accommodation due to a shortage of housing that’s affordable for the people we serve.

“Preventative measures and early intervention benefit not only people in need but are also the most cost effective and responsible approach.

“Additionally, we urge all political parties and candidates to fund services for young people recovering from alcohol and other drug misuse - particularly residential services and aftercare supports. These vital services give young people the chance to heal and rebuild their lives and more investment is needed so they can access support when they need it.”

Mission Australia’s Federal Election Priorities 2025