The Albanese Government’s Last Budget Before Election Day Is Focused on One Thing: Easing Your Pain at the Checkout
As Treasurer Jim Chalmers preps the 2025 federal budget, one priority screams louder than the rest — helping Aussies survive the cost-of-living crunch. Whether it’s first-home buyers, patients avoiding gap fees, or parents watching electricity bills eat their paychecks, this budget is designed to look helpful (and electable).
Here’s a breakdown of what we already know is inside — no leaks required.
Housing Help: From Deposits to Driveways
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The government is pledging over $850 million for housing.
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A huge chunk — $800 million — will go to expand the Help to Buy shared equity scheme. That’s now a $6.3 billion program aimed at helping first-home buyers jump on the property ladder without selling a kidney.
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Income limits are rising (now $100k for singles, $160k for families), and price caps on homes will go up too — meaning you’ll actually have choices beyond a garden shed.
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Another $49.3 million goes to grow Australia’s modular housing industry (yes, that’s houses built in factories).
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Plus, $4.7 million will fund a national certification system to speed up construction approvals
Cost-of-Living: Energy, Medicine, and More Bulk-Billing
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Households will get $150 off their power bills, extending last year’s $300 energy rebate. Total cost? $1.8 billion.
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$8.5 billion will help GPs bulk-bill more visits. Translation: more free checkups, fewer credit card tears.
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The price of all PBS-listed meds drops to $25 — a win for your wallet and your blood pressure.
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Expect 50 more Medicare urgent care clinics, thanks to a $644 million injection.
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And there’s a $570+ million women's health package coming, with a strong focus on reproductive health and menopause.
Who said budgets couldn’t be body-positive?
Infrastructure: Trains, Roads, and Billion-Dollar Promises
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$7.2 billion goes to upgrade the Bruce Highway (Queenslanders rejoice!).
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Melbourne Airport Rail gets another $2 billion, bringing total federal funding to $7 billion — maybe one day you’ll actually ride it.
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$1 billion is set aside for future rail lines in Western Sydney to the Macarthur region.
This is how you buy votes — one track at a time.
So… What’s the Catch?
Well, the budget will run a deficit, breaking the government’s short streak of surpluses. There’s pressure to spend carefully so inflation doesn’t rage like a toddler on red cordial — otherwise, rate cuts might stay out of reach.
Still, with an election likely just around the corner, expect this budget to walk the tightrope between helpful handouts and economic “responsibility.”
Verdict:
It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely trying to look like it is — and that might be enough to keep voters interested through the next latte.
