WHAT WAS CLAIMED
The government confirmed it is reserving 100,000 homes for recently arrived immigrants.
OUR VERDICT
False. The homes are reserved for first-home buyers who are citizens or permanent residents.
AAP FACTCHECK - The federal government hasn't confirmed 100,000 new homes will be reserved for recently arrived immigrants, despite claims online.
Labor has committed to funding 100,000 homes for first-home buyers, but the government confirmed these will be available to citizens and permanent residents.
The claim is being shared online following the May 2026 federal budget, which included tax reforms said to be aimed at freeing up homes for first-home buyers.
"The Albanese Government has confirmed that they're reserving 100,000 homes for recently arrived overseas immigrants," a May 13 Facebook post claims.
"And giving them a 5% "first home buyers" deposit. "Even if they already own multiple properties overseas."
The post includes a clip featuring Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Treasurer Jim Chalmers spruiking budget measures for housing, which was originally posted on the politicians' social media accounts.
However, the government did not confirm 100,000 homes will be reserved for recently arrived immigrants.
During the 2025 election campaign, Labor announced a policy to build 100,000 homes exclusively for first-home buyers, with construction on these properties expected to start in 2026-27.
A spokesperson for The Treasury, which advises the government on housing issues, told AAP FactCheck that first-home buyers under this scheme must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident.
"Other eligibility criteria include that buyers should be at least 18 years of age; and that they intend to be owner occupiers of the home," the spokesperson said.
In January 2026 the federal government reached an agreement with South Australia to build 7,000 homes as part of this commitment.
It is also partnering with the Queensland government to build 20,000 properties, according to a May 2026 announcement.
Deals have also been made with the governments of Western Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, combining to more than 41,000 homes in total reserved for first home buyers.
AAP FactCheck previously debunked a claim that the government funds a home deposit scheme exclusively for migrants.
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme provides a government guarantee to approved banks and lenders, allowing eligible first-home buyers to purchase a home with a five per cent deposit without paying lenders mortgage Insurance.
Normally, buyers with a deposit of less than 20 per cent are required to pay lenders mortgage insurance to protect the lender from a loan default.
The program was exclusive to Australian citizens when it began in 2020 under the coalition government before expanding to permanent residents in 2023 under Labor.
More than 300,000 people have accessed the loans, including 51,000 permanent residents, according to figures confirmed during senate estimates in June (page 59).
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