Home buyers, sellers and renters are facing a raft of new rules across Australia from today, as the new financial year brings in fresh changes to property taxes and laws.
The new property rules include everything from money laundering-busting identification checks to the introduction of portable bonds and axing stamp duty for certain first-home buyers.
The changes span buying, selling and renting, with some reforms applying nationwide and others limited to specific states and territories.
Jump ahead to see what's new for:
- National anti-money laundering rules
- Rental Affordability Scheme
- Portable bonds
- Stamp duty
- Home battery rebates
National anti-money laundering rules begin
Home buyers and sellers will need to provide a driver licence or passport to real estate agents from 1 July 2026 under new anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws.
Real estate agents will be required to ID check home sellers and buyers and may need to ask questions about the nature of the transaction and the source of funds in some circumstances.
Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) chief executive Scott Rollason said the reforms mark a significant step in protecting the Australian property market from financial crime.
Real Estate Institute of Australia chief executive Scott Rollason says real estate agents will be required to ID check home sellers and buyers from 1 July. Picture: Supplied
“These reforms are designed to make it harder for criminals to use property transactions to hide or legitimise illicit funds, and to strengthen the integrity of Australia’s economy,” Mr Rollason said.
“For example, a buyer may be asked how funds for a property purchase were obtained, whether through salary, savings, investments, gifts or the sale of assets.”
National Rental Affordability Scheme ends
Low-income households who have been receiving discounted rent through the National Rental Affordability scheme will be forced into a competitive rental market as the scheme ends.
The scheme, which offered incentives to property owners to rent out affordable homes, has supported about 36,000 households since it was introduced in 2008, but it has been winding down over the past decade.
The federal government says the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) is building more affordable homes to help those in need, but it’s unclear whether it will be enough to meet demand.
It comes as rental vacancy remains very low at 1.37% nationally, down 42% compared to five years ago, according to PropTrack.
Portable bonds begin in Victoria
Victorian renters can move their existing rental bond to a new property and avoid shelling out thousands of dollars for a second bond under the state’s new portable rental bond scheme starting today.
From 1 July, renters can apply to transfer their bonds online through the residential tenancies bonds system, meaning renters won’t be out of pocket while waiting for a refund.
From October, rental providers will also be required to provide evidence before making any claim on a bond.
Renters in Victoria will be able to transfer their bonds online from 1 July. Picture: Getty
Victorian renters minister Paul Edbrooke said renters deserved fairness and security.
"Moving house shouldn't mean paying two bonds at once – from July 1, it won't,” Mr Edbrooke said.
Victoria is the first state to roll out portable bonds, with NSW set to launch their own scheme this year and South Australia looking into the idea.
Stamp duty abolished for first-home buyers in the ACT
First-home buyers will be able to buy homes in the Australian Capital Territory and pay zero stamp duty from 1 July 2026 after the government abolished the controversial tax in a national first.
It’s the first jurisdiction in Australia to cut stamp duty entirely for all first-home buyers, removing one of the biggest upfront hurdles to homeownership.
First-home buyers won't pay any stamp duty in the ACT from 1 July. Picture: Getty
ACT chief minister Andrew Barr said the changes would help more Canberrans get into the market sooner and with greater confidence.
“We are also extending stamp duty relief to pensioners and to people purchasing new unit-titled homes, giving older Canberrans more choice to downsize and better match their housing to their needs,” Mr Barr said.
The move was announced in the territory’s latest budget, along with expanded stamp duty exemptions for pensioners, eligible National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants and all home buyers who have not owned property in the past five years.
National home battery rebate changes
Aussie homeowners keen to embrace rooftop solar and battery storage are facing new rebate rules after the federal government overhauled its popular Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
The government changed the rebate from a ‘per kWh’ discount to a tiered model from May 1, meaning smaller systems would continue to receive full rebates, while mid-range and larger battery installations would see a reduction in the amount homeowners could claim.
The federal government updated the Cheaper Home Batteries Program in May. Picture: Getty
Technically the rebate changes took effect in May this year, but it’s still worth mentioning given how popular it has been with homeowners.
The program was designed to slash the upfront cost of a home battery by around 30%, saving homeowners about $4,000 on average.
Australian households installed as many batteries in the final six months of 2025 as they did in the five years before, according to the Clean Energy Council.
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