India is negotiating with Australia to build one million homes worth $500 billion and has invited UAE investment for support.
MUMBAI: India has proposed a major international housing project that could reshape both labour mobility and investment flows. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed that New Delhi is in “deep negotiations” with Australia to build one million homes, a $500 billion opportunity that aims to address the nation’s housing shortage while creating new avenues for Indian workers.
The plan involves sending skilled and unskilled Indian professionals—including masons, electricians, plumbers, and builders—to Australia, where they will undergo training and certification to meet local construction standards. According to Goyal, this initiative could become one of the largest housing collaborations between the two nations.
Australia has been struggling to meet housing targets under its National Housing Accord. Rising costs, workforce shortages, and productivity challenges have left the country almost 60,000 homes short of its annual goal, with the deficit expected to grow to 180,000 within five years. Goyal suggested that India’s construction workforce could help bridge this gap while also boosting India’s export of skilled labour.
During his address at the Bharat Buildcon 2026 conference, Goyal stressed that this was a “game-changing opportunity” for India’s construction sector. He added that India had reached out to the United Arab Emirates, a long-term investment partner, to play a financial role in the project.
“If we miss this opportunity, we will have only ourselves to blame,” Goyal remarked, highlighting that trade and investment synergies can turn challenges into solutions.
The proposal comes as India and Australia continue talks on expanding their Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. At the same time, New Delhi is advancing negotiations with multiple nations, including Oman, New Zealand, and the European Union, as part of a wider push to strengthen trade partnerships.
