Opposition leader Peter Dutton's promise of temporary tax relief for more than 10 million taxpayers lands as the Albanese government unveils a plan to build 100,000 homes for first-time buyers.
Under the Coalition's $10 billion tax plan, eligible taxpayers earning up to $144,000 a year will be in line for up to $1200 when they lodge their return for the upcoming financial year.
"The Coalition is stepping up with a plan that provides real help," Mr Dutton said on Sunday.
The opposition leader claimed his plan would do more to ease cost-of-living pain than Labor's ongoing tax cuts of up to $268 in 2026/27 and up to $536 each financial year after.
The Labor camp has promised to work with states and territories to use vacant or under-utilised government land to fast-track release and planning approvals to build the 100,000 homes from 2026, with buyers moving in by 2028.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australians would also be able to buy their first home with a five per cent deposit, with the government guaranteeing the other 15 per cent.
His government would expand the existing help-to-buy scheme by increasing property price limits to reflect the average in each state's capital city and removing caps on places and incomes.
The move would mean a Sydney first homebuyer could buy a $1 million apartment with a $50,000 deposit, or a Queenslander could purchase a $850,000 home with a $42,500 deposit.
"I want to help young people and first homebuyers achieve the dream of home ownership," Mr Albanese said in a statement.
Property Council of Australia chief executive Mike Zorbas welcomed the balance between investing in new supply as well as demand stimulus.
"This kind of generational investment is a game changer for new housing supply," Mr Zorbas said.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles took aim at the temporary nature of the Coalition's tax relief revealed on Sunday.
"Australians would have a right to feel a sense of cynicism about this policy, particularly in light of the position that the coalition took in relation to our tax cuts that we announced during budget," he told Sky News on Sunday.
Mr Albanese will formally send Labor's campaign down the slipway in Perth on Sunday while Peter Dutton is expected in Sydney for the Liberals' launch.
Both are making things official earlier than usual in a bid to stay in public view ahead of a slew of public holidays for Easter and Anzac Day.
Both major parties have been focused on cost-of-living pressures, with Labor already committed to pouring $8.5 billion into Medicare to ensure nine out of 10 GP visits can be bulk-billed.
It has also promised to cut 20 per off student debts, rebates of $150 on energy bills and small tax cuts.
The coalition has already vowed to temporarily halve the fuel excise, match Labor's Medicare funding and establish a $5 billion fund to speed-up essential infrastructure.
Mr Dutton has also pledged to reduce the annual intake of permanent migrants from 185,000 to 140,000 for two years and cut the number of refugee and humanitarian places.
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