The End of an Era for Negative Gearing?
Property
Is Immediate Relief on your Mortgage Worth the Long-Term Cost?
The Real Cost of a 5% Deposit Mortgage
For decades, negative gearing and the capital gains tax (CGT) discount have shaped the way Australians invest in property. Recently, with the Federal Government reviewing these policies ahead of the May 2026 budget, we could be looking at significant reform. In this article, we examine the proposed changes, including caps on investment property deductions and reductions to the CGT discount, while exploring the competing arguments from both sides of the housing debate. Whether you are saving for your first home or managing a rental portfolio, read on to find out what these potential tax shifts could mean for you and why they are happening.
The path to home ownership in Australia keeps getting tougher, forcing buyers and owners to consider flexible loan structures. These options can ease monthly repayments in the short term but come with an important caveat: you’ll pay substantially more interest over the life of the loan. If you’re weighing up a home loan option that defers part of the debt burden to the future, here’s a straightforward look at commonly used structures offering this temporary affordability.
The government's 5% deposit scheme is a fantastic opportunity for first-home buyers, allowing you to enter the market sooner while avoiding Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which can easily save you $20,000-$30,000 upfront. However, it's important to look beyond this initial saving and consider the long-term trade-offs. Because a smaller deposit means a larger loan, the financial relief of skipping LMI can be quickly overshadowed by the strain of higher monthly repayments and the staggering amount of extra interest you'll pay over the life of the loan.