Industry News
Breaking stories, regulatory changes, market data, and major developments across Australian and New Zealand real estate.
When “contractor” means employee: What the Fair Work decision means for offshore real estate staff
Many real estate leaders rely on offshore support for admin or client management, assuming contractor agreements keep them outside the scope of employment law. But a recent case, Pascua v Doessel Group, has upended that belief. The Fair Work Commission found that even a worker based overseas can qualify as an employee.
One in three Australian property markets now worth $1 million plus
The once-exclusive million-dollar property club has reached a record high, with one in three Australian property markets now…
Capital city house prices rising at fastest pace in four years
Australia’s housing market is heating up again, with capital city house prices rising at their fastest pace in…
Flood risk wiping billions from Australian property values, new report finds
Flood risk is emerging as a hidden factor in Australia’s property market, with new national data revealing that…
Wine region property values driven by production volume, not prestige
Australia's most prestigious wine regions don't necessarily deliver the strongest property growth, with production volume and export economics…
Victoria blocks rental bidding at the source
The Victorian government has partnered with major real estate websites to prevent unlawful rental bidding practices by ensuring…
Adelaide is now the second most unaffordable housing market
Australia's housing markets continue to rank among the world's least affordable, with all five major Australian cities now…
How Luke O’Kelly built an auction powerhouse in a non-auction market
When Ray White Semaphore principal Bianca Denham sat down with Luke O’Kelly from Ray White West End, he…
School zones add up to 89% to property prices across New Zealand
Families hoping to buy into New Zealand’s top public school zones are paying steep premiums, with new data…
Rising unemployment could trigger earlier rate cuts
Australia's unemployment rate has unexpectedly jumped to 4.5 per cent in September, potentially accelerating the timeline for interest…
Growth in construction costs falls to lowest level in decade
Construction costs are continuing to climb from an already elevated base, with a 0.6 per cent increase recorded…
Qatar to grant title deeds and residency visas within days to foreign property buyers
Qatar is accelerating its efforts to attract international investment by allowing foreign property buyers to receive ownership title…
Sydney leads auction upswing with busiest week since April
The Australian auction market is set for its most active period in months, with Sydney emerging as the…
Lower rates and tight rental markets fuel investor return
Investor confidence in Australia’s property market has rebounded, with REA Group’s latest PropTrack Terri Scheer Investor Report showing…
National vacancy rate holds at 1.2%
SQM Research’s latest figures confirm the rental squeeze isn’t letting up, with national vacancies steady at 1.2% and…
Real estate faces a balancing act as economy rebounds: CommBank outlook to 2026
Cautious optimism returns as stable growth, steady prices and improving confidence set the tone for Australia’s 2025 property…
Australians still struggling with cost of living crisis
Despite government support and financial resilience, just 7 per cent of Australians believe the cost-of-living crisis has improved…
‘Big’ tourist attractions don’t always drive regional property prices
Australia's iconic oversized attractions have varying influence on local property markets, with coastal locations significantly outperforming inland areas…
Melbourne hits new peak as Darwin gathers pace
Melbourne prices edge past their previous peak as Darwin records one of the strongest annual gains nationwide.
Lane Cove tops Australia’s most liveable neighbourhoods list
Sydney's north shore council area of Lane Cove has been named Australia's most liveable neighbourhood in a comprehensive…
Maid’s rooms rank among the UAE’s most searched home features
Forget location and price, UAE home seekers are now searching for something else. According to Property Finder’s latest…
Sydney renters facing mortgage stress without owning homes
Sydney tenants are now experiencing mortgage-level financial stress without even owning a home.
Australia takes unwanted silver for weather losses and the property market is paying the price
Australia’s property market is facing mounting pressure as the cost of extreme weather continues to climb. New data…
Five regions ripe for small property development
Investors are strategically targeting specific regions for small property developments that offer strong capital growth potential and healthy…
Buyers downsize their blocks but not their homes as land shrinks across Australia
Australians are adjusting their housing expectations as land becomes scarcer and more expensive. New data shows that while…
RBNZ makes surprise 50bp cut to 2.50% amid weak economic outlook
New Zealand’s central bank delivers larger-than-expected rate cut to boost confidence as unemployment rises and spending slows
Gold Coast social housing expansion backed by record $5.6b investment
The Queensland Government says it is stepping up the delivery of social and affordable housing on the Gold…
National property listings tighten as Spring begins cautiously
Australia’s housing market entered spring with fewer total listings and stronger prices, as new sellers emerged but overall…
Miami tops global real estate bubble risk index
Miami's once-booming housing market has earned the dubious distinction of being named the world's most vulnerable real estate…
Medium density housing on the rise across Australia
Australia's capital cities are finally addressing their "missing middle" housing problem with a significant increase in medium-density developments…
Lifestyle markets are seeing changing buyer preferences
Australia's lifestyle property markets are evolving as buyers seek better quality of life outside major cities, with clear…
Douglas and Joondalup lead nation’s hottest property markets
New Hotspotting research has named the 10 hottest property markets in Australia, with Queensland, South Australia and Western…
Hong Kong’s property woes put banks to the test
Hong Kong’s property market has lost more than 30 per cent of its value since 2021, a slump…
Foreign investment makes strong comeback in Australian commercial property market
Foreign capital is flowing back into Australia's commercial property market at an impressive rate, with offshore investment reaching…
Apartment market booms as government expands home guarantee scheme
Australia's apartment market is experiencing a resurgence, with units now accounting for 42 per cent of all property…