HAFF Round 3 is launching in January 2026. Time to get ready!

HAFF Round 3 is a major opportunity for Aboriginal Community Housing Providers (ACHPs) in NSW to secure long-term, culturally appropriate investment for new homes, community-controlled housing outcomes, and partnership-led delivery. NSW ACHPs are strongly encouraged to prepare early and position for a significant share of funding.

What Is HAFF Round 3?

The Federal Government’s 40,000-home program is entering its next stage, with:

• $600 million reserved for First Nations housing organisations

• A broader funding pool open to all providers

• 25-year availability payments to support long-term operations

• A First Nations Concierge to guide organisations through the process

For Aboriginal community housing, this is a major chance to lead culturally informed housing projects at scale.

Why NSW ACHPs Should Act Now

NSW ACHPs are well placed for Round 3. NSW is home to:

• The largest Aboriginal population in Australia (34% of the national population)

• Strong community-controlled housing organisations with proven delivery capability

• Established partnerships across CHPs, councils, and Homes NSW

• A long history of providing culturally safe, community-designed housing

This positions NSW ACHPs to secure a significant share of funding, including from the First Nations allocation.

How Much Funding Is in Play?

ACHIA NSW is calling for $200 million or more of HAFF Round 3 funding to be directed to NSW communities.

Our call recognises:

• The high level of housing need in NSW

• The deep inequities caused by decades of underinvestment

• The sector’s strong capacity to deliver projects across urban, regional and remote areas

NSW ACHPs can apply for both the First Nations stream and the general HAFF pool, including through partnerships.

What NSW ACHPs Can Do Now

1. Start preparing projects

Begin identifying or confirming:

• Land you control and zoning attached
• Partnerships already in discussion and development (planners, architects, designers, lawyers, special subject matter experts, banks, superannuation companies, other finance providers etc.)
• Any projects already in early planning stages that could become HAFF-ready
• Opportunities in regional NSW and metro Sydney
• Proposals suited for First Nations-led delivery

2. Connect early with Housing Australia

• Register interest to get tailored information
• Access the First Nations Concierge for early advice before the round opens

3. Build strategic partnerships

Consider collaborations that may strengthen your proposal such as those with:

• Mainstream CHPs
• Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs)
• Developers/builders with cultural capability
• Local governments offering land or planning support
• Homes NSW for co-investment or site enablement

4. Review organisational readiness

Review internal readiness:

• Governance
• Finance capacity
• Risk management
• Development partners
• Pipeline of potential sites
• Ability to deliver quickly (HAFF prioritises pace + good location)

Priorities for NSW Aboriginal Communities

ACHPs in NSW can use Round 3 to advance:

• Larger-scale, culturally informed housing developments – Homes designed by and for Aboriginal communities

• Regional and remote needs – Many NSW Aboriginal communities are in regional areas – a key priority under HAFF.

• Support for Aboriginal-led community planning – Embedding cultural governance from the start.

• Closing the Gap housing outcomes – Better access to stable, appropriate, long-term housing.

• Economic participation & employment – HAFF projects can support Aboriginal jobs, training, and procurement.

Messaging for ACHPs to use with Partners & Government

We call for at least $200 million to flow to NSW, including to Aboriginal housing projects ready to deliver high-impact outcomes.

• “NSW has the highest Aboriginal population in the country — our communities deserve a fair share of HAFF Round 3.
  FACT: In the 2021 census, 278,000 Aboriginal people lived in NSW, which accounts for 34.2% of the total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Australia, while the national total was approximately 812,728. Therefore, a significant portion of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population resides in NSW compared to the rest of Australia.
• “Aboriginal-led organisations deliver culturally safe, sustainable housing solutions – funding must follow community leadership.”
  FACT: Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) achieve better outcomes with Aboriginal people and their families by providing culturally safe, locally-tailored, and holistic support, which addresses historical and systemic barriers to mainstream services. It empowers communities through self-determination.

• “Investing in ACHPs delivers long-term benefits: improved health, education, employment, and strengthened community self-determination.”
  FACT: Investing in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) delivers long-term benefits, including improved health and wellbeing outcomes due to culturally safe and responsive services, increased cost-effectiveness compared to mainstream services, and the creation of local employment and economic opportunities. ACCOs empower communities through self-determination, which leads to better service access, stronger community connection, and a more sustainable future.