Funding under the Housing Australia Future Fund
Co-investment finance for 40,000 social and affordable homes through the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF).
Update on Funding Round 3 under the Housing Australia Future Fund
Housing Australia welcomes the strong market response to Funding Round 3 of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF), with a high volume of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) submitted to the Housing Diversity and Partnerships at Scale Streams to date.
In response to feedback from the housing sector, as outlined at the Market Briefing on 10 December 2025 and set out in the Call for Submissions released on 30 January 2026, Funding Round 3 is being delivered through a two‑stage open application process: an initial EOI, followed by a Detailed Application.
As part of this process, all EOIs will be rigorously assessed against the criteria outlined in the Call for Submissions (CFS), in the order that they are received. As assessment progresses, it is expected that some applicants may withdraw their applications or may be assessed to not meet the criteria. When this occurs, Housing Australia will reallocate the notional funding and dwelling allocations associated with those EOIs to the next eligible applicant in the queue.
Applicants with successful EOIs will be invited to submit a Detailed Application. These Detailed Applications will then undergo a comprehensive assessment before final funding decisions are made. At this stage, any dwellings associated with unsuccessful applications will be reallocated.
Housing Australia is committed to ensuring the application process is fair, transparent and considerate of applicant resources. Key information, including notional Stream funding allocations and available dwelling numbers, are readily accessible to registered applicants within the Housing Australia Portal. This is to support Applicants in making informed decisions about using their resources to proceed with preparing a submission.
Applicants seeking funding under Funding Round 3 of the HAFF are strongly encouraged to review the Call for Submissions and all supporting documentation in full before lodging. Applicants must provide all required documentation at both the EOI and Detailed Application stages, as incomplete submissions that are non-conforming will not be successful.
Housing Australia Future Fund
The Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) is a dedicated $10 billion investment by the Australian Government, established in November 2023 under the Housing Australia Future Fund Act, to improve housing outcomes for Australians.
Through the HAFF, Housing Australia is working in partnership with all levels of government and the community housing, development and finance sectors to support the delivery of 20,000 new social homes and 20,000 new affordable homes across Australia over five years from 2024.
Through the HAFF, Housing Australia provides loans and grants for projects that increase the supply of social and affordable housing and address acute housing needs across Australia, including regional, rural and remote areas.
Find out more about the HAFF here.
Impact of Funding Rounds 1 and 2
Housing Australia is advancing toward the national target of 40,000 new social and affordable homes through the HAFF. To date, 279 projects have been committed under the first 2 funding rounds, delivering 18,650 homes nationwide to help address housing need at scale.
Funding Rounds 1 and 2 have achieved strong progress toward the overall program targets, committing funding to:
- 9,284 social housing dwellings
- 9,366 affordable housing dwellings.
Housing Australia has secured at least 1,200 dwellings in each of the five largest states, including New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia. This achievement reflects our commitment to a balanced, timely and impactful housing portfolio, ensuring homes are delivered where they are needed most.
With the continued support of our investors and partners, Housing Australia is focused on supporting the delivery of long-term, sustainable housing outcomes that meet community needs and national priorities.
Combined outcomes of rounds 1 and 2*
| Jurisdiction | Social dwellings | Affordable dwellings (Round One) | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qld | 1,265 | 929 | 2,194 |
| NSW | 2,909 | 1,941 | 4,850 |
| ACT | 305 | 589 | 894 |
| VIC | 2,551 | 2,867 | 5,418 |
| TAS | 398 | 220 | 618 |
| SA | 512 | 749 | 1,261 |
| WA | 1,222 | 2,031 | 3,253 |
| NT | 122 | 40 | 156 |
| TOTAL | 9,284 | 9,366 | 18,650 |
*Data as at 30 September 2025.
Funding Round 3
Housing Australia has opened the Call for Submissions for funding under HAFF Round 3 on 30 January 2026. This is a non‑competitive, open process, allowing applicants to submit proposals at any time, while funding remains available.
As the largest funding round to date, Round 3 will unlock investment to deliver the remaining 21,350 social and affordable homes needed to reach the national target of 40,000 homes by 2029.
Building on strong momentum from previous rounds, Round 3 focuses on accelerating delivery and deepening partnerships across sectors to deliver sustainable, nationwide housing outcomes.
Objectives
Round 3 will support the delivery of 21,350 well‑located, high‑quality homes that provide value for money and long‑term community benefit.
Priorities include:
- Closing the gap: Support more homes being owned by First Nations led organisations with $600m ringfenced funding and a dedicated funding stream. In addition, 10% of all social housing across relevant funding streams must be allocated to First Nations households
- Keys in doors: Delivery certainty targeting support to homes that will be delivered in a timely way, seeking rolling completions from 2027 and all dwellings complete by June 2029
- Geographic distribution: Reach a minimum of 1,200 homes in each state and territory, with strong regional representation
- Well‑located homes: Fund well-located projects that improve liveability, responding to acute housing needs
- Enduring community value: Support proposals that demonstrate value for money and create long-term community value through Community Housing Providers and other eligible funding recipients
- Impactful partnerships: Encouraging collaboration across investors, developers, builders and delivery partners to maximise outcomes.
Funding Round 3
Overview of funding round
To help applicants target proposals and deliver on program objectives, Round 3 introduces four tailored Funding Streams:
- Stream 1: First Nations - more homes owned by First Nations Housing Providers, supporting the housing needs of First Nations people
- Stream 2: Housing Diversity - support housing outcomes across a diversity of locations and cohorts
- Stream 3: States and Territories - partner with State and Territory governments to unlock and accelerate the delivery of more homes
- Stream 4: Partnerships at Scale - enable more homes, sooner, by attracting partners that can deliver timely and efficient outcomes at scale
For more information, refer to the fact sheets available below.
Eligibility
Eligible Funding Recipients for Round 3 include:
- Community Housing Providers
- Charities with a primary purpose of improving housing outcomes for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people
- Charities with a primary purpose of improving housing outcomes for former members of the Australian Defence Force
- Charities with a primary purpose of improving housing outcomes for members of the Australian Defence Force
- State and Territory governments
- Local governments.
An overview of eligibility by Stream is shown below:
How to get involved
Partnerships are central to delivering 21,350 homes by mid‑2029. While eligibility varies by Stream, there are multiple ways to participate. Eligible Applicants may partner with Housing Enablers, state and territory governments, and local governments to deliver meaningful projects.
Housing Enablers are developers, builders, financiers, landowners, or investors who may already have projects in planning suitable for social and affordable housing. These enablers can submit an Expression of Interest, and if their project progresses to the next stage, they will need to secure an Eligible Funding Recipient for the Detailed Application phase.
All partnerships should aim to deliver long-term community value, supported by strong governance, meaningful impact and retained benefits that exceed the initial investment.
How to apply
Register for an account on the Housing Australia Portal (HAP) here.
Review the Call for Submissions and supporting documents available within the HAP, which outlines detailed requirements for Round 3. Applicants should consider this information carefully before submitting.
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in HAP under the relevant stream. EOIs are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit a Detailed Application through HAP.
Housing Australia will communicate outcomes in writing.
Consult the Frequently Asked Questions on the Portal and submit any additional questions through the same system.
Upcoming Call for Submissions briefing
To support eligible applicants and stakeholders in understanding the Call for Submissions process, eligibility criteria, evaluation framework, and strengthened partnership‑focused delivery model for HAFF Round 3, Housing Australia will publish a recorded briefing on Thursday, 12 February.
The recording will be accessible via the Housing Australia website.
The session will cover:
HAFF Funding Round 3 overview
Key changes since December briefing
Approach to funding exposure documents
Information regarding stream funding
Assessment of funding applications.
Market briefing
On 10 December 2025, Housing Australia hosted an online Market Industry Briefing on Funding Round 3. The session provided a high-level outline of the program, giving stakeholders an overview of the funding streams and the application and assessment process. The recording and presentation slides from the Market Industry Briefing are available below under 'Support for Applicants'.
Important information
The Market Industry Briefing provided a high-level overview of the application and assessment process for Funding Round 3 of the HAFF as of 10 December 2025. The information is indicative only and subject to change in the Call for Submissions documentation released on 30 January 2026.
Stream Fact Sheets
Stream 1 - First Nations
To view the First Nations Stream fact sheet, click here.
First Nations Concierge
A dedicated First Nations Concierge Service is available to support Stream 1 Applicants by providing guidance and assisting with navigation of the two-stage application process for Funding Round 3.
The Concierge is available for both existing and prospective First Nations-led organisations seeking access Housing Australia funding programs.
To book a consultation with the Concierge Service, click here.
Stream 2 - Housing Diversity
To view the Housing Diversity Stream fact sheet, click here.
Current applications submitted under Housing Diversity exceed the available dwelling allocation for this Stream, however EOIs may still be lodged as Housing Australia will reallocate the notional funding and dwelling allocations associated with unsuccessful EOIs to the next eligible applicant in the queue.
Stream 3 - States and Territories
To view the States and Territories Stream fact sheet, click here.
Stream 4 - Partnerships at Scale
To view the Partnerships at Scale Stream fact sheet, click here.
Read the Update on Funding Round 3 under the Housing Australia Future Fund | Housing Australia
SUPPORT FOR APPLICANTS
Important information: The information provided below is for general guidance only. Refer to the Call for Submissions documentation for detailed guidance on the requirements for each Stream.
HAFF Round 3 Market Update
Housing Australia welcomes the strong market response to Funding Round 3 of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF). The market update provides further insights for stakeholders on the HAFF Round 3 Call for Submissions process.
Disclaimer
As of 12 February 2026, this presentation is provided for general information purposes only and does not form part of the Call for Submissions documentation.
Applicants are responsible for reviewing the Call for Submission documentation in full when preparing their applications, and any Addenda that is issued through the Housing Australia Portal.
Applicants should refer to the Call for Submissions documentation for detailed guidance on the requirements and criteria for each funding Stream.
First Nations Call for Submissions Information Webinar
On 4 February 2026, Housing Australia hosted an information briefing on the First Nations Stream.
The session provided an overview of the First Nations Stream, how applications will be assessed and information about the First Nations concierge service.
View the recording the of the First Nations Call for Submissions Information Webinar.
Refer to the Call for Submissions documentation for detailed guidance on the requirements.
First Nations Briefing Pack - February 2026
On 4 February 2026, Housing Australia hosted an information briefing on the First Nations Stream.
View the briefing pack for the First Nations Call for Submissions Information Webinar.
Market Industry Briefing
On 10 December 2025, Housing Australia hosted an online Market Industry Briefing on Round 3.
The session provided a high-level overview of the program and outlined key changes for Round 3, including details on the application and assessment process for stakeholders.
Important information
The Market Industry Briefing provided a high-level overview of the application and assessment process for Funding Round 3 of the HAFF as of 10 December 2025. The information is indicative only and subject to change in the Call for Submissions documentation released on 30 January 2026.
Market Industry Briefing presentation
Download the presentation from the Market Industry Briefing held on 10 December 2025.
Important information
The Market Industry Briefing provided a high-level overview of the application and assessment process for Funding Round 3 of the HAFF as of 10 December 2025. The information is indicative only and subject to change in the Call for Submissions documentation released on 30 January 2026.
Housing Australia Portal
You can view the Call for Submissions and apply for Funding Round 3 through the Housing Australia Portal (HAP).