The Australian government is facing criticism for promoting its taxpayer-funded first-home buyer scheme through advertisements in Arabic and Mandarin, with critics arguing the move targets foreigners and neglects Australian citizens struggling in the housing market.
Radio host Ben Fordham has been a vocal critic, stating on 2GB Breakfast that the expansion of the policy to permanent residents and the use of multilingual social media ads hand a "free kick" to opposition parties. "If the five per cent deposit scheme was for Australian citizens only there would be no argument," Fordham said, adding that promoting the scheme in other languages to non-citizens is inappropriate.
One Nation has echoed these sentiments, with a spokesperson telling news.com.au that the government "continues to work against the interests of the Australian people." The party advocates for a ban on international students, temporary visa holders, and foreign non-residents owning property in Australia. One Nation asserts that Labor's immigration policies have exacerbated housing demand and rent increases.
The scheme allows eligible buyers to purchase a property with a deposit as low as five percent, with the government guaranteeing a portion of the loan to help buyers avoid lenders mortgage insurance. Housing Minister Clare O'Neil has defended the advertisements, stating they adhere to standard communication guidelines and that the scheme is exclusively available to Australian citizens and permanent residents. Fordham, however, pointed to figures suggesting Chinese nationals own a significant portion of foreign-owned residential properties in Australia.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has vowed that a Coalition government would restrict the program to Australian citizens only, claiming that over 51,000 non-citizens have already utilized the scheme. Treasury data indicates that spending on the home buyer initiative has approached $7 million.
Australia's housing affordability declined in the December 2025 quarter, a trend partly attributed to increased first-home buyer activity fueled by the scheme's expansion. Jacob Caine, president of the Real Estate Institute of Australia, noted that while the scheme has helped more Australians enter the market, it has also contributed to increased mortgage sizes for new buyers, thereby impacting affordability. Foreign buyers are still permitted to purchase newly constructed homes, off-the-plan properties, vacant residential land, and established dwellings intended for redevelopment, following a temporary ban on foreign investors purchasing established homes which has been extended until 2027.