Here’s everything Albanese and Labor promised you – and when you can expect it

Anthony Albanese and Labor have swept to a second term in government with a big majority and an even bigger mandate.

That means that every pledge the prime minister, his frontbenchers and Labor’s newest members in the House of Representatives made during the budget and the campaign can be considered a deliverable.

We have recapped everything Albanese and Labor promised you in the lead-up to the May 3 election, and when you can expect some of the key pledges to be delivered.

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Tax cuts

Labor will introduce tax cuts worth $268 next year, and $536 for every year after that, in a bid to deliver cost-of-living relief to more than 12 million workers. The cuts, announced in the March budget, give households extra relief on top of the changes to the stage 3 tax cuts announced early in 2024. Taxpayers will also be allowed to claim an instant $1000 tax deduction for work-related expenses.

When? July 2026 for the tax cuts, 2026-2027 tax return for the deduction.

Health

An $8.5 billion boost to Medicare aims to extend bulk-billing bonuses to all adults, give clinics that bulk-bill all patients extra funding and boost the GP workforce. There will also be a major expansion of telehealth services through creation of a Medicare hotline. A further 50 urgent care clinics will be built.

When? November 2025 (bulk-billing), January 2026 (telehealth hotline).

Housing

Labor is promising $10 billion to build 100,000 homes exclusively for first home buyers. It will also allow all first-time buyers to purchase property with just a 5 per cent deposit, with the government to guarantee the rest of a typical 20 per cent deposit.

When? The first of the 100,000 homes will be ready from 2027. Expanded 5 per cent deposits scheme, January 2026.

Renewables

The Albanese government wants 82 per cent of Australia’s electricity to come from renewable sources – solar, wind, hydro – and has a series of funds and projects to get there. Households installing home electric batteries with rooftop solar panels will get a 30 per cent discount, subject to a series of terms and eligibility rules

When? Renewables goal by 2030. Battery plan starting on July 1, 2025, through to 2030.

Environment

Labor has vowed to introduce a federal environmental protection agency to take on companies and people who breach the law and damage the natural world. Albanese put the EPA on ice during his first term after an industry backlash and has said the agency would take a different form.

When? This term of parliament.

Defence and national security

Labor will increase Defence spending from 2 per cent of gross domestic product to 2.3 per cent. It will also work to have the Port of Darwin sold to an Australian owner – it is leased to Chinese-owned company Landbridge Group – and could put it in government hands if that fails.

When? Defence spending will increase by the early 2030s. No timeline for port plan.

Immigration

Labor has forecast net overseas migration will slow to 260,000 people next financial year. It failed to legislate student caps in 2024 and introduced administrative changes to reduce migration instead. The party will raise already expensive international student fees by $400.

When? 2025-2026.

Education

A 10-year agreement with states to increase funding to public schools that is tied to reforms to help students lift performance and improve school retention rates. Student loan debts will be cut by 20 per cent in a $16 billion bid to make higher education cheaper for 3 million people. Three days a week of subsidised early childhood education.

When? Changes to HECS/HELP repayments and funding for schools agreement to begin this year. Early childhood education funding to begin January 2026.

Industrial relations

Labor will ban non-compete clauses for workers earning less than $175,000 as well as ban businesses from fixing wages and using agreements to prevent the poaching of staff. It has also committed to stopping the industrial umpire from changing rules to remove penalty rates in exchange for higher base pay for workers.

When? Non-compete changes from 2027. Penalty rate preservation in this term.

Industry

Australia will begin stockpiling $1.2 billion worth of critical minerals, which are used in advanced manufacturing and could be a bargaining chip in trade talks. It will also start consulting on banning price-gouging at supermarkets, though there is no hard evidence this is occurring.

When? Critical minerals stockpile to begin next year. No set time for price-gouging ban.

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