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What Housing Policies ALP Promised to Voters

Posted on by Laze Spasevski
Quick Guide to ALP Housing Promises
Now that Anthony Albanese has started his second term as prime minister, let's explore the housing policies the Australian Labor Party (ALP) promised to voters. Starting in 2026, the ALP will expand the Home Guarantee Scheme to include all first home buyers. Right now, the scheme limits access to 50,000 places per year and sets income caps. The ALP says "the new rules will let anyone apply,...
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Instant Asset Write-off Guidelines for 2024-25

Posted on by Laze Spasevski
Time Running Out for Tax Break
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released guidelines to help your business understand whether it's eligible for the $20,000 instant asset write-off for the 2024-25 financial year. “If your business has an aggregated annual turnover of less than $10 million and uses the simplified depreciation rules, you may be eligible to claim the instant asset write-off to immediately deduct the b...
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Borrowers Embrace Refinancing

Posted on by Laze Spasevski
Borrowers Embracing Refinancing
Market commentators are expecting a big jump in refinancing activity in the coming weeks, given that numerous borrowers embrace refinancing their home loans earlier in the year following the previous cash rate cut, in February, by the Reserve Bank of Australia. Equifax, a credit reporting agency, has reported that the number of mortgage applications in the first quarter of 2025 was 5.2% hig...
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Businesses Facing Mixed Conditions

Posted on by Laze Spasevski
Businesses Facing Mixed Conditions
Businesses are facing mixed conditions, with the labour market remaining tight but with household spending rising in real terms, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The unemployment rate in April was 4.1%, which was unchanged from both the month before and year before. Despite the weak economy, there is little slack in the labour market, which means employ...
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Lenders Cut Interest Rates

Posted on by Laze Spasevski
Lenders Cut Interest Rates
More than 65 lenders, including the big four banks, have cut their interest rates following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to reduce the cash rate from 4.10% to 3.85%. This will mean lower repayments for the typical variable-rate borrower – although the size of the rate cuts, and the dates at which they’re taking effect, is varying from lender to lender. Here are three tips...
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Construction Costs Growth Hits 15-Year Low

Posted on by Laze Spasevski
Building Cost Growth Hits 15-Year Low
Residential construction costs growth hits 15-year low as it rose just by 0.4% in the March quarter. This is the lowest quarterly increase since 2010, according to the Cordell Construction Cost Index. As a result, annual cost growth fell from 4.0% in the December quarter to 3.4% in the March quarter. However, building costs have risen 31.3% since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, so ...
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Businesses Remain Profitable Despite Pressures

Posted on by Laze Spasevski
“Most businesses remain profitable, despite the ongoing pressures,” the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has reported in its latest Financial Stability Review. "Most large and small businesses’ profit margins are around the level recorded over the 2010s. However, our measure for small businesses is only available up to the September quarter of 2024. Additionally, the surveys suggest these bu...
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Investors to Manage Negative Cash Flow

Posted on by Laze Spasevski
Investors Weathering Cash Flow Storm
Surveys show that property investors confirm investing can be a fantastic way to build long-term wealth, but they need to prepare and learn to manage periods of negative cash flow, especially in the early years. The Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) found that 65% of investors they surveyed were negatively geared in 2024, up from 57% in 2023. PIPA chair Nicola McDouga...
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840 Cranes Operating Nationwide

Posted on by Laze Spasevski
840 Cranes Operating Nationwide
According to multinational construction group, RLB, 840 cranes are operating nationwide. Construction crane numbers remain strong across Australia despite a recent dip in building activity. With 840 cranes operating nationwide during the first quarter of 2025, the country continues its streak of 800-plus active cranes. This trend started in the first quarter of 2022. However, numbers were l...
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Victoria Extends Stamp Duty Concession

Posted on by Laze Spasevski
Victoria Extends Stamp Duty Concession
  Victoria delivers amazing news for all off-the-plan homebuyers as it extends the off-the-plan stamp duty concession for another 12 months—boosting housing affordability and driving new construction. The Allan Government initially introduced this concession in October 2023 as part of its Housing Statement, with an original end date of October 2025. However, the 2025/26 Victorian St...
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