Welcome to the first edition of our Real Estate Round-Up for the 2026–27 financial year.
As the new financial year begins, the real estate sector is navigating a range of policy changes, regulatory developments and practical challenges across the market. These issues affect everything from the financing and delivery of housing to the way property is constructed and leased.
In this edition, our Tax team considers the key changes arising from the Federal Budget and what this means in practice for real estate investors in the year ahead. We also look at water rights in New South Wales, where the consequences of non-compliance are becoming more significant. It is a timely reminder of the need to pay close attention to the regulatory framework governing water rights.
Australia’s BTR sector is also attracting significant investment and government support. At the same time, there are real questions about whether the construction industry has the capacity to deliver the projects currently planned. Our Construction experts consider who will build these projects and how construction contracts may need to respond to rising labour costs, inflation and the need for a fairer allocation of risk between project participants.
We also launch a new series for housing providers, with a jurisdictional guide to residential tenancy laws. These laws have changed significantly over the past two years, including in relation to minimum housing standards, termination rights and the regulation of rent and other charges. While there is some consistency between jurisdictions, there are still important differences and provisions that practitioners and housing providers should carefully consider. This series is intended to help housing providers understand and adapt to a regulatory environment that has changed considerably in recent years.
In our Industry Spotlight, we speak with Jackson Hills, CEO of National Shelter. Jackson’s career has included roles across policy, strategy and advocacy, with a strong focus on social outcomes and housing reform. He shares his perspective on the role of government, the non-profit sector, the private sector and the community in improving housing supply and affordability, and why progress in this area is rarely straightforward.
We hope you enjoy this edition as the new financial year gets underway. As always, please contact the relevant authors or a member of our Real Estate Markets Group if you would like to discuss any of the issues covered.
Sarah Roettgers and John Frangi
