In NSW, Victoria and WA, first home buyers are currently eligible for a $10,000 handout (double in regional Victoria) for new homes under $750,000, while in Queensland and South Australia the grant is worth $15,000.

Ken Morrison, chief executive of the Property Council, said Wednesday's meeting with the Housing Minister was a valuable opportunity to discuss the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the residential property industry

"We look forward to discussing the conditions on the ground," Mr Morrison said.

"We’re focused on our preparations to get our industry through the current crisis phase and to help us prepare for recovery.

"Ensuring business continuity is vital so that our industry which is one of the Australian economy’s big engines keeps turning and can be powered up to drive the recovery phase."

At the meeting with Mr Sukkar, developers are also expected to ask for support to deal with supply chain issues affecting the delivery of imported building materials due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Concerns about how the pandemic – and further bans on public movement – will impact home building and construction prompted a rare display of unity between two previously adversarial groups, industry group Master Builders Australia and construction union, the CFMEU.

The two organisations which combined represent over 130,000 participants in the construction industry, said a comprehensive package of stimulus measures were needed to be delivered to underpin building activity and protect the livelihoods of construction workers, builders and tradies around the country.


"The impact of managing the virus may result in unexpected delays in construction exposing many builders to harsh liquidated damages provisions [penalties charged for late delivery of building works].

"These liquidated damages provisions can be a massive liability that could force businesses to the wall creating further unnecessary difficulties for the industry as a

whole."