Australia
Property market insights
Up-to-date Australia property market snapshot for early 2026: where to invest, key market trends, legal changes (foreign‑buyer ban, AML reforms), headline stats and practical next steps for buyers and investors.
Tips for Buyers
- 1.Check current ATO and Foreign Investment guidance: the temporary ban on foreign purchases of established dwellings applies from 1 Apr 2025 to at least 31 Mar 2027 with exemptions.
- 2.Engage a qualified conveyancer/solicitor early; inspect for building & pest issues and confirm council zoning and overlays.
- 3.Model serviceability under higher interest‑rate scenarios and include stamp duty, land tax and holding costs in cashflow assumptions.
- 4.Verify FIRB requirements and state foreign purchaser surcharges for non‑residents or corporate buyers.
- 5.Prepare for expanded AML/CTF checks from mid‑2026 — have ID and source‑of‑funds documentation ready.
- 6.Prioritise suburbs with population/job growth, low vacancy and infrastructure pipeline for both capital growth and rental performance.
Common Property Types
- • Houses (detached)
- • Units / apartments (strata)
- • Townhouses
- • New builds / off‑the‑plan
- • Regional land / investment properties
Who Lives Here
High net migration and population growth in major capitals and many regional centres; young families and professionals driving demand in Brisbane, Perth and select regional towns; Sydney remains high‑value with diverse buyer base.
Transport
- • Major airports: Brisbane (BNE), Perth (PER), Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Adelaide (ADL), Darwin (DRW)
- • Key rail and road projects: Cross River Rail (Brisbane), Mandurah/Joondalup (Perth) corridors, Adelaide rail upgrades and metro links, ongoing metropolitan network links in Sydney and Melbourne
- • Good road connectivity in growth corridors — important for outer‑suburb and regional investments
Schools
- • Brisbane State High School (Brisbane)
- • St Joseph’s Nudgee College (Brisbane)
- • Perth Modern School (Perth)
- • Churchlands Senior High School (Perth)
Amenities
- • Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (Brisbane)
- • Queen Street Mall & South Bank precinct (Brisbane)
- • Fiona Stanley Hospital and Elizabeth Quay precinct (Perth)
- • Royal Adelaide Hospital and Rundle Mall (Adelaide)
Consensus among many forecasters in early 2026 is for continued national price growth in mid‑single to high‑single digits, but with wide variation by city: Perth, Brisbane and some regional centres expected to outperform, while Sydney and some Melbourne segments remain constrained by affordability. Rental markets are likely to stay tight and supportive of investor cashflow; key risks include possible rate rises and policy changes.
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