2026 in Australian property

RBA Housing Lending Rates: April 2026 Data Released in July

The RBA's latest lender-rate release shows new owner-occupier principal-and-interest housing loans averaged 5.92% in April 2026, compared with 6.09% for new investor principal-and-interest loans.

Australian Household Wealth Rose 1.2% as Property Values Increased in March Quarter 2026

ABS data show Australian household wealth rose by $224.9 billion in the March quarter 2026, led by higher land and dwelling values while superannuation assets fell.

Australia Recorded 1.60 Million Overseas Arrivals in May 2026, but It Is Not Migration Data

ABS data recorded 1.60 million international arrivals and 1.69 million departures in May 2026. The figures count border crossings and should not be used as a housing-demand or net migration measure.

Victorian Land Tax Assessment Notice: A 2026 Checking Guide

A practical checklist for reading a 2026 Victorian land tax assessment, checking site values, land ownership and exemptions, and understanding objection time limits.

Australian Housing Costs Rose 6.5% in the Year to May 2026

ABS data shows the housing group rose 6.5% over the year to May 2026, with electricity, new dwellings and rents contributing to the increase.

SMSF Property Borrowing Changes from 10 August 2026

New SMSF limited recourse borrowing arrangements for real property will generally need to involve business real property from 10 August 2026.

Australian Dwelling Starts Fell 11.2% in the March Quarter 2026

ABS data shows seasonally adjusted dwelling commencements fell in the March quarter, while the less volatile trend series still rose.

Queensland First Home Buyer Changes 2026: $30,000 Grant and New Residency Rule

Queensland has continued the $30,000 first home owner grant and will add a residency test to home duty concessions from 1 August 2026.

Victoria Property Tax Changes Now Law: What Buyers and Home Builders Need to Know

Victoria has legislated changes to the off-the-plan duty concession, land tax treatment for homes under construction and the emergency services fixed charge.

Australian Dwelling Approvals Fell 1.1% in May 2026

ABS data shows total dwelling approvals fell in May 2026 as apartment and other multi-unit approvals declined, while private house approvals rose.

VIC Land Tax on $600k, $900k and $1.2m Site Value: 2026 Investor Examples

Victorian land tax examples for investment properties with $600k, $900k and $1.2m taxable site values, including trusts, absentee owners and cash-flow checks.

LMI at 90% LVR in Australia: 2026 Deposit, Premium and Repayment Guide

A practical guide to LMI at 90% LVR in Australia, including deposit examples, capitalised LMI, monthly repayment impact and when saving longer may be better.

Net Rental Yield Calculator Australia: Expenses Investors Forget in 2026

A practical guide to calculating net rental yield in Australia, including vacancy, management fees, strata, land tax, insurance, repairs and interest costs.

Stamp Duty by Property Price Australia 2026: $600k, $800k and $1m Buyer Guide

Compare stamp duty on $600k, $800k and $1m Australian property purchases by state, buyer type and first home buyer status, with calculator links.

Borrowing Power After Rate Rises: Australian Income Examples for 2026

How interest-rate rises and lender serviceability buffers reduce borrowing power, with practical Australian household examples and calculator links.

Simple Interest Examples Australia 2026: Formula, Loans and Savings Scenarios

Simple interest formula explained with Australian loan, savings and property-debt examples. Calculate interest using principal, rate and time.

VIC Land Tax Absentee Owner Surcharge 2026: Who Pays and How to Estimate It

Victorian absentee owner surcharge guide for property investors, including who can be caught, how the surcharge interacts with land tax and what to model before buying.

VIC Land Tax Trust Surcharge: 2026 Examples for Property Investors

How Victorian trust surcharge land tax can change the annual cost of holding investment property, with examples and planning checks.

NSW Land Tax for Discretionary Trusts in 2026

NSW discretionary trust land tax guide for investors, including threshold treatment, examples and what to check before buying property in a trust.

10 min

Help to Buy vs 5% Deposit Scheme: Which First Home Buyer Path Is Better in 2026?

A practical comparison of Help to Buy and the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme in 2026, including deposits, ownership, income caps, repayments, price caps and hidden trade-offs.

Does HECS or HELP Debt Affect Borrowing Power in 2026?

How HECS and HELP debt affects mortgage borrowing power in 2026, including the new marginal repayment system, the $67,000 threshold, lender serviceability and whether paying it off before buying can help.

10 min

Should You Fix Your Home Loan in 2026 After the RBA Rate Hikes?

A practical 2026 guide to fixed, variable and split home loans after the RBA rate hikes, including repayment certainty, offset access, break costs, refinancing and when each option may suit.

Victoria Land Tax for Investment Properties 2026: Owner Types, Trusts and Surcharges

A practical guide to Victorian land tax for investment properties in 2026, covering site value, trusts, absentee owner surcharge, examples and how to estimate your bill.

NSW Land Tax 2026: Investors, Thresholds, Premium Rates and Examples

NSW land tax guide for investors in 2026, including the frozen general and premium thresholds, 3-year average land value, trust rules and worked examples.

Land Tax for Trusts and Companies in Australia: State-by-State 2026 Guide

How land tax changes when Australian property is held in a trust or company, with 2026 examples for Victoria, NSW and Queensland.

How Much Is LMI in Australia in 2026? Deposit Examples by Property Price

A buyer-friendly guide to LMI in Australia in 2026, explaining why cost varies by lender, LVR and borrower profile, with examples by deposit size.

How to Avoid LMI Without a 20% Deposit

Practical ways Australian home buyers may avoid LMI without a 20% deposit, including government schemes, guarantor loans, professional waivers and lower-LVR strategies.

What Is a Good Rental Yield in Australia in 2026?

A practical guide to what counts as a good rental yield in Australia in 2026, including gross yield, net yield, risk, location and cash flow.

10 min

Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme 2026: Eligibility, Price Caps and Real Costs

A practical 2026 guide to the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme: who qualifies, current price caps, how much deposit you need, LMI savings, stamp duty, repayments and the traps to check before you apply.

How Much Can I Borrow After the 2026 RBA Rate Hikes?

How the 2026 RBA rate hikes, APRA serviceability buffer and lender assessment rules affect Australian borrowing power, with worked examples by income and practical ways to protect a pre-approval.

Victoria Off-the-Plan Stamp Duty Concession 2026-27: Who Qualifies and What You Could Save

A buyer-friendly guide to Victoria's temporary off-the-plan stamp duty concession, including the 2026-27 Budget extension, eligible properties, how savings are calculated, worked examples and key risks.

CGT Reform from 1 July 2027: Why Simple Examples Can Mislead

Why post-2027 CGT estimates need acquisition timing, a 1 July 2027 transition value or apportionment, indexation and minimum-tax checks.

Negative Gearing and CGT Reform: What the 2026 Act Does

A corrected guide to the enacted 2026 negative gearing and CGT changes, including the different transition rules that apply to each measure.

RBA Hikes Cash Rate to 4.35% — Third Consecutive Rise as Inflation Re-Accelerates

The Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.35% on 5 May 2026, the third hike of the year. Big Four banks have all confirmed full pass-through. What it means for repayments, the inflation backdrop, and what comes next.

First Home Super Saver Scheme 2026: How to Pull \$50,000 Out of Your Super for a Deposit

The FHSS lets first home buyers save for a deposit inside super at the 15% concessional rate instead of their marginal rate. Caps, eligibility, tax treatment, timeline, and the five traps that catch most applicants.

EOFY 2026 Property Investor Tax Checklist: What to Do Before 30 June

The Australian financial year ends 30 June 2026. Four moves before then that actually reduce your 2025-26 tax, plus the traps that catch property investors every year.

LMI Estimate Checklist: 8 Inputs to Check Before You Rely on a Premium

A practical checklist for checking an indicative lenders mortgage insurance estimate against the loan amount, lender valuation, LVR, property type, state duty and actual lender quote.

NSW Land Tax PPR Exemption: The 25% Ownership Rule

A practical guide to the NSW principal place of residence land tax exemption, including the 25% ownership rule, family limits and calculator limitations.

Holiday Homes and Land Tax: What Australian Owners Should Check

A practical Australian guide to when a holiday home, weekender or second property may affect land tax, vacant residential land tax and surcharge estimates.

Bank Valuation Shortfall and LMI: What Australian Buyers Should Check

A practical Australian buyer guide to how a low lender valuation can change LVR, trigger LMI and create a cash shortfall before settlement.

Tax

Joint Ownership and Land Tax: What Australian Property Owners Should Check

A practical Australian guide to how joint ownership can affect land tax estimates, including NSW, Victoria and Queensland examples and calculator limitations.

Vendor Bid at Auction: What Australian Buyers Should Know

A practical Australian buyer guide to vendor bids at property auctions, including what they mean, how they differ from genuine bids and what to check before raising your own bid.

What Happens When a Property Is Passed In at Auction?

A practical Australian buyer guide to passed-in auctions, highest-bidder negotiations, cooling-off risk and the numbers to check before making a post-auction offer.

Land Value vs Property Value for Land Tax: What to Enter in a Calculator

A practical Australian guide to the difference between land value, site value, capital improved value and market value when estimating land tax.

WA First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Changes 2026: What Buyers Should Check

Western Australia has announced higher first home buyer transfer duty thresholds for 2026-27. This guide explains what changed, what is still pending, and how buyers should model settlement cash.

Can You Get an LMI Refund in Australia?

A practical Australian guide to when an LMI refund may be possible after refinancing, selling or paying down a home loan, and what borrowers should check before switching lenders.

Do Apartments Pay Land Tax in Australia?

A practical Australian guide to when apartments, units and townhouses may attract land tax, including principal residence exemptions, strata land value and investor examples.

Auction Bidding Budget Checklist Australia

A practical Australian auction checklist for setting a maximum bid, allowing for stamp duty, loan limits, settlement costs and no-cooling-off risk before auction day.

Tax

Medicare Levy and Income Tax in Australia: Thresholds, Reductions and Calculator Limits

How the Medicare levy works with Australian income tax, including low-income reductions, family thresholds, exemptions and what salary calculators can and cannot estimate.

5 min

Positive Cash Flow Property: How to Calculate It Before You Buy

How to calculate whether an Australian investment property is positive cash flow before buying, including rent, expenses, interest, land tax and vacancy.

3 min

Negative Gearing Reform and Housing: What Modelling Can Show

A cautious explanation of why modelled price and rent effects are scenarios rather than forecasts of the enacted 2026 tax reforms.

3 min

Property Tax Changes from 2027: Questions for Investors to Check

A non-prescriptive checklist for reviewing the enacted negative gearing and CGT changes with a registered tax adviser.

Australia's Housing Construction Shortfall: Why 1.2 Million Homes Won't Be Built on Time

Australia needs 1.2 million new homes by 2029 under the National Housing Accord, but construction is falling well short of target. What is going wrong, what it means for prices and rents, and what buyers should know.

Downsizer Contributions: How Selling Your Home Can Boost Your Super

The downsizer contribution lets Australians aged 55+ put up to $300,000 from the sale of their home into superannuation. How it works, eligibility rules, and whether it makes sense for you.

Australia's Rental Vacancy Crisis: Why Finding a Rental Has Never Been Harder

Rental vacancy rates across Australia have hit historic lows. What is driving the crisis, which cities are worst affected, and what it means for tenants, landlords, and investors.

Regional Property Markets Outperforming Capital Cities in 2026

Why Australian regional property markets are outperforming capital cities in 2026: affordability, lifestyle migration, infrastructure investment, and what it means for buyers and investors.

Off-the-Plan vs Established Property: Pros, Cons & Financial Comparison

Comparing off-the-plan and established property in Australia: stamp duty differences, depreciation advantages, settlement risks, and a financial breakdown to help you decide.

Best Home Loan Rates in Australia (April 2026): How to Find the Cheapest Mortgage

Compare the cheapest home loan rates in Australia as of April 2026. Big four bank rates, smaller lender deals, fixed vs variable, and how to get the best rate.

How the Middle East Conflict Is Affecting Australian Property Markets in 2026

The Middle East conflict is pushing up oil prices, inflation, and interest rates. What this means for Australian property prices, construction costs, and mortgage holders.

Australia's Housing Supply Crisis (2026): Why We're 380,000 Homes Short

Australia faces a projected 380,000 dwelling shortfall over the next five years. Why construction can't keep up with demand and what it means for prices and rents.

Auction Clearance Rates Australia 2026: What They Mean and Current Trends

Understanding auction clearance rates: how they work as a market indicator, current trends across Australian capitals, and what they mean for buyers and sellers.

How Record Migration Is Reshaping Australia's Housing Market in 2026

Australia's population grew by 423,600 in one year, reaching 27.7 million. How migration-driven demand is outpacing housing supply and what it means for prices and rents.

Your Fixed Rate Is Expiring in 2026: What to Do Before It Rolls Over

Billions in fixed-rate mortgages are rolling over in 2026. If your fixed rate is expiring, here is what to do to avoid the revert rate shock and potentially save thousands.

How RBA Interest Rates Affect Your Property Costs in 2026

Understand how the RBA cash rate flows through to your mortgage repayments, borrowing power, and property costs — and what strategies can help.

Housing Affordability in Australia (2026): Key Challenges & Solutions

The state of housing affordability in Australia: deposit barriers, income-to-price ratios, government assistance, and practical strategies for buyers.

Australian Rental Market 2026: Vacancy Rates, Trends & What It Means

The state of Australia's rental market: historically low vacancy rates, rising rents, and what it means for tenants and investors.

Stamp Duty Reform in Australia (2026): State-by-State Progress

The state of stamp duty reform across Australia: the ACT's ongoing abolition program, reform discussions in other states, and what it means for property buyers.

Investment Property Tax in Australia (2026): Negative Gearing, CGT & Depreciation

Current Australian tax rules for investment property: negative gearing, capital gains tax discount, depreciation deductions, and the ongoing policy debate.

First Home Buyer Programs Australia 2026: What to Verify

A current verification checklist for grants, duty relief, guarantee and shared-equity programs without assuming eligibility.

Help to Buy Scheme 2026: How It Works, Eligibility & How to Apply

The Australian Government Help to Buy shared equity scheme launched in December 2025. How it works, who is eligible, participating lenders, and how to apply.