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Buying a holiday home can feel like a dream — whether it’s a cosy mountain cabin or a beachfront escape — but it’s important to understand the realities behind the romance. Before investing, consider how you plan to use the property, as personal use versus short-term renting can significantly affect your income and long-term returns. Research local market conditions, including rental demand, tourism patterns, and capital growth indicators, so you understand how seasonal peaks and quieter periods may impact your budget. It’s also essential to check the laws and regulations governing short-term rentals in your chosen area, as rules vary across states and councils. Requirements such as property registration, limits on rental days, behaviour standards, and even levies (like Victoria’s 7.5% short-stay levy) may affect your plans. Financially, holiday homes come with ongoing costs such as mortgages, insurance, cleaning, and maintenance, as well as tax considerations including deductions, negative gearing, capital gains tax, and potential stamp duty or land tax obligations. If you’re excited to turn your holiday-home dream into reality, our team is here to help guide your next steps and support you through the financial planning process.

The government has announced major refinements to the proposed Division 296 tax, confirming the measure will now apply solely to future realised earnings rather than unrealised gains. Under the revised Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions policy, the 30% concessional tax rate will continue to apply to earnings on super balances above $3 million, while a new $10 million threshold will attract a higher 40% tax rate. Both thresholds will be indexed to maintain alignment with the transfer balance cap. The updated framework will commence on 1 July 2026, with the first assessments expected in the 2028 financial year. Treasury will undertake further consultation on the calculation of realised earnings and the treatment of defined benefit interests, ensuring consistent application across fund types. According to Treasurer Jim Chalmers, the changes reflect two years of industry feedback while preserving the policy’s core objective of improving the fairness and sustainability of superannuation tax concessions.

From 1 October 2025, the government’s First Home Guarantee scheme will expand, making it possible for more Australians to buy a home with a deposit as low as 5%. Whether you’re preparing to buy your first property or simply watching how the market shifts, these updates could play a big role in shaping your plans this spring.

When someone passes away without a valid will, this is known as intestacy. In this situation, the law in each state and territory sets out a formular for how your estate is divided. These rules often follow a standard order – spouse first, then children, then other relatives, but they may not align with what you would have wanted.

Inflation has been heading in the right direction and the Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the cash rate three times in 2025. So, is now a good time to refinance?

How should Australia’s financial industry turn hard earned retirement savings into retirement income? Delivering investment outcomes in retirement is an incredibly complex problem...