In the heart of the Australian suburbs, a fundamental conflict is brewing. It’s a clash between the cherished dream of a backyard and a detached home, and a government-led agenda aggressively pushing for high-density apartment living. This policy direction, driven by all levels of government, is unfolding against the backdrop of the worst housing affordability...
Published: July 1, 2025 The Victorian Government has recently passed the State Taxation Acts Amendment Act 2025, introducing several important changes to state taxation laws. Following its Royal Assent on June 24, 2025, the act brings updates that will affect property buyers, developers, businesses, and landowners across the state. Here’s a breakdown of the key...
For many Victorians, the dream of owning a home can feel like a distant ambition. The financial hurdles, from saving a deposit to covering transaction costs, are significant. Fortunately, the Victorian Government offers a helping hand through several initiatives designed to make homeownership more accessible. Whether you’re buying a new build or an established property,...
The Australian dream of homeownership is increasingly being financed by the “Bank of Mum and Dad.” With property prices soaring, it’s now common for parents to contribute tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of dollars to help their children secure a first home. It’s a generous act of love. But it’s also a significant financial...
Picture this: You’ve just purchased your third investment property in Melbourne, feeling proud of your growing portfolio. Your accountant set up the first property in your personal name for “simplicity,” and you’ve continued with the same structure ever since. Fast forward five years, and a single professional indemnity claim threatens to wipe out your entire...
Victoria’s urban landscape is continually evolving, driven by population growth and the imperative for sustainable development. A cornerstone of this growth management is the Public Open Space (POS) levy, a critical mechanism ensuring that new developments contribute to the provision of essential community infrastructure. For property developers, understanding the legislative intricacies of this levy is...
In Victoria, a segment of property developers—particularly those engaged in build-to-rent (BTR) schemes—are taking advantage of legal frameworks to sidestep certain state and local tax obligations. While not inherently unlawful, these strategies highlight gaps in legislation that municipalities and the State Revenue Office (SRO) are now scrutinizing. Avoiding the Public Open Space Levy Ordinarily, developers...
Overview The Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) is a new property tax that will replace the existing Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) in Victoria starting July 1, 2025. The Victorian Parliament passed the legislation last week, and it represents a significant increase in property taxes for Victorian landowners. Background and Implementation The ESVF replaces...
When the Federal Government introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2000, it came with a promise: the new consumption tax would replace a raft of inefficient state taxes, creating a more streamlined taxation system across Australia. The GST was meant to provide states with a stable revenue source while allowing them to eliminate...
Based on research from the State Revenue Office, Department of Treasury and Finance, and other government sources, here is the complete list of 33 taxes, levies, and duties in Victoria, categorised by type: Property Taxes and Duties Land tax Vacant residential land tax Land transfer (stamp) duty – non-principal place of residence Land transfer (stamp)...
