Ann Sherry has joined the board of Housing Australia as chair, the federal government announced, with the appointment taking effect on 31 August 2026.
In the role, Sherry will guide Housing Australia as it plays what the government described as a central part in delivering its 47 billion dollar housing agenda.
The government said Sherry brings extensive leadership experience across government, business and the community sector, as well as a strong record of leading large and complex organisations.
The Housing Australia position is additional to her role as inaugural chair of the Super Members Council, which she took up in July 2024. Sherry is also co-chair of the Climate Leaders Coalition, chair of Queensland Airports, chancellor of Queensland University of Technology and a non-executive director of National Australia Bank.
Minister for housing, homelessness and cities Clare O'Neil welcomed the appointment.
"Ann Sherry brings exceptional leadership experience and a strong record of delivering results across some of Australia's most significant organisations," O'Neil said.
"Housing Australia has a critical job ahead, delivering tens of thousands of homes and helping more Australians into home ownership, and we are making sure it has the leadership and capability to get that job done," the minister said.
Sherry said the scale of the national housing task was the defining challenge for the agency.
"Delivering more houses to address the nation's housing needs is the challenge before Housing Australia and critical for our community," she said.
"I look forward to working with the board and management team to get this important job done."
Housing Australia said it was looking forward to working with the incoming chair to improve housing outcomes for Australians. The agency described Sherry as one of Australia's most respected business and community leaders, with extensive executive and board leadership experience spanning government, business and the community sector.
In an orderly transition, Housing Australia thanked Damien Tangey for his leadership as acting chair during a period of substantial change, growth and delivery for the organisation, and said it welcomed his continued contribution as a member of the board.
Alongside the appointment, the government also released an independent capability assessment of Housing Australia, led by Ken Kanofski.
The assessment found Housing Australia had strengthened its governance, systems, processes and delivery capability over the past 18 months, and it made 13 recommendations intended to further sharpen the agency's focus on delivery. The government said the assessment provides a strong blueprint for the agency's next phase and for Sherry to take forward as its new chair.
Housing Australia is a Commonwealth government agency and sits at the centre of the government's housing program, which the minister said involves delivering tens of thousands of homes and helping more Australians into home ownership.
The appointment was announced on 31 August 2026. The government did not disclose the length of Sherry's term as chair.
