Posts

How APRA's 3% serviceability buffer and 6x DTI cap affect your borrowing power in 2026. Real dollar examples, lender assessment rates explained, and first-home buyer strategies to maximise loan eligibility. Source: APRA, as at July 2026.

FY2026-27 Australian resident tax rates with the new 15% bracket (cut from 16%), complete thresholds, tax payable at every income level, and a first-home buyer savings perspective. Source: ATO, as at July 2026.

Side-by-side comparison of stamp duty across all 8 Australian states and territories for FY2026-27 — what a $500K/$750K/$1M property costs in duty in each state, first-home buyer outcomes, and foreign buyer differences. Source: state revenue offices, as at July 2026.

How the new marginal HECS-HELP repayment system works in FY2026-27 — repayment income thresholds, percentage rates, dollar examples at $70K/$100K/$150K, and what it means for your borrowing power as a first-home buyer. Source: ATO, as at July 2026.

Medicare Levy (2%) and Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) explained for FY2026 — income thresholds, surcharge tiers from 1.0% to 1.5%, family thresholds, and how private hospital cover can be cheaper than paying MLS. Source: ATO, as at July 2026.

Complete NSW transfer duty guide for FY2026-27 — CPI-indexed rate tiers, First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme (full exemption up to $800K), foreign purchaser surcharge of 9%, and FHOG of $10,000. Source: Revenue NSW, as at July 2026.

Northern Territory transfer duty guide for FY2026-27 — formula-based rates up to $525K and tiered above, $50,000 HomeGrown Territory Grant for first-home buyers, $30,000 FreshStart grant, no foreign surcharge. Source: NT Territory Revenue Office, as at July 2026.

Queensland transfer duty guide for FY2026-27 — rate tiers, zero-duty first-home concession on new homes with no price cap (from May 2025), established home concession up to $700K, 8% foreign surcharge, and $30,000 FHOG. Source: Queensland Revenue Office, as at July 2026.

South Australia conveyance duty guide for FY2026-27 — residential rate tiers, first-home buyer full relief on new homes with no price cap (from Feb 2025), established homes not eligible, 7% foreign surcharge, and FHOG up to $15,000. Source: RevenueSA, as at July 2026.

Tasmania property transfer duty guide for FY2026-27 — rate tiers, key change: established-home relief expired on 30 June 2026, new-home support via $10,000 FHOG, 8% foreign surcharge. Source: SRO Tasmania, as at July 2026.

VIC land transfer duty guide for FY2026-27 — rate tiers unchanged from prior year, first-home buyer full exemption up to $600K, phasing to $750K, foreign purchaser additional duty of 8%, and FHOG of $10,000. Source: SRO Victoria, as at July 2026.

Western Australia transfer duty guide for FY2026-27 — rate tiers, first-home buyer full exemption up to $500K (Metro) or $750K (regional), phasing to $700K/$750K, 7% foreign surcharge, and $10,000 FHOG. Source: WA Department of Treasury, as at July 2026.