Today the Albanese Government announced the signing of three contracts between Defence Housing Australia (DHA) and Western Australian businesses to deliver 550 additional new households for Defence personnel and their families.

The new homes will be leased to DHA and provide accommodation close to Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, in the coming years.

These agreements form part of DHA’s New Builds Volume Leasing Program and importantly will see developer Parcel Property, alongside local home builders Forma Homes and Plunkett Homes, expand local housing supplies.

The agreements follow an expression of interest period seeking industry participants who can deliver new properties using their own land, land source from the market, or a combination.

Further agreements are in the works for hundreds of additional homes over the next five years.

The first dwellings as part of this Program in Rockingham are expected to be delivered in 2025-26.

Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh said:

“Australia’s Defence personnel are our most important capability, so it is vital they and their families are well supported with modern, fit for purpose housing in their local communities. 

Minister for Resources, Minister for Northern Australia and Member for Brand, Madeleine King said:

“Rockingham and Baldivis are proud to be home to Australia’s largest naval base and is very proud of the role this community plays in serving the nation.”

“As HMAS Stirling grows in size we will need homes for Defence personnel and their families.

“Importantly this DHA investment will be really good for the growing community of Baldivis.”

Defence Housing Australia Chair, Dr Robert Lang said:

“DHA is excited to have entered into these agreements with Parcel Property, Forma Homes and Plunkett Homes a first for DHA, which will enable us to scale our housing supply for Defence members and provide long-term secure investments for buyers, with DHA as the tenant.

“The New Builds Volume Leasing Program will enable DHA to support the Australian Defence Force housing requirements where accommodation is needed most.”

ENDS

On Background:
DHA’s New Builds Volume Leasing Program will establish long-term arrangements with industry to deliver new and high-quality properties in areas where more Defence member housing is required, including Rockingham in Western Australia.

Housing demand in Rockingham is expected to grow significantly for Australian Defence personnel in the coming years. Priority has been given to expanding local housing supply through new builds to help meet this demand.

New homes are expected to be delivered by Parcel Property, Forma Homes and Plunkett Homes as part of this agreement with DHA in Wellard, Baldivis and Mundijong, with a smaller number of properties delivered in Kwinana, Lakelands, Port Kennedy, Waikiki and Madora Baya.

The Program will provide an opportunity for broader industry engagement, economic development for the region, and long-term and ‘set-and-forget' confidence for investors.

Leasing is one method DHA uses to procure suitable properties for its housing portfolio, contributing to the enterprise’s commitment to provide secure, modern and supportive living environments for Defence members and their families.

Through the Program, DHA is predominantly seeking three-to-four-bedroom free-standing houses and townhouses.