📈 Today's Commercial Property & SMSF News
Investor Warns Against 5% Deposit Scheme for First Home Buyers, Citing Potential Price Inflation
An Adelaide-based property investor and construction manager, Mason Ellies, has expressed concern that the 5% deposit scheme for first home buyers may lead to negative outcomes. Ellies, who recently purchased his third property, argues that the high price he paid for a fixer-upper indicates that the scheme might be inflating property values. While generally supportive of property ownership, he worries that the scheme could result in financial difficulties for first-time buyers.
Source: www.news.com.au
Golden Girls Stars' Real Estate Successes Revealed
The stars of the hit sitcom "The Golden Girls" successfully translated their television earnings into substantial real estate portfolios. During the show's run, each actress earned a reported $46,000 per episode. Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund, was the wealthiest of the four, earning millions annually from reruns. The article explores how these actresses leveraged their success to acquire and manage valuable properties.
Source: www.news.com.au
Tradies Expected to Return to Regional Victoria as Major Projects Conclude
As Melbourne's major infrastructure projects near completion, regional Victoria hopes to attract skilled tradespeople back to address construction labor shortages. The completion of projects like the West Gate and Metro Tunnel, which previously drew workers to the city with higher government wages, may lead to a return of tradies to regional areas. Industry leaders express concern that workers may be lured to Queensland for work related to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. The Victorian government aims to build over 448,000 new homes in regional and rural Victoria by 2051.
Source: www.abc.net.au
📊 Yesterday's Key Developments
SMSF Downsizer Contribution Rules Highlighted by Expert
Anthony Cullen from Accurium explains that downsizer contributions have a minimum age requirement of 55 but no upper age limit. He noted that when lodging the required form, trustees inform the ATO that the contribution sits outside of standard caps and does not impact non-concessional limits or total super balance considerations. Cullen emphasizes the importance of understanding these specific rules when utilizing the downsizer contribution strategy within an SMSF.
Source: www.smsfadviser.com
ASIC Chair Suggests Cooling-Off Period to Protect Superannuation
Outgoing ASIC Chair, Joe Longo, proposed the introduction of a cooling-off period for superannuation fund switches or withdrawals to combat potential fraud. Asked about slowing down fund switching to prevent rapid movement of funds, Longo indicated the superannuation sector is open to implementing such measures. He believes adding friction to the switching process could help mitigate losses from fraudulent activities and is a potential solution that requires consideration.
Source: www.smsfadviser.com
NSW, SA, and QLD Renters to Benefit from 'Free Power' Solar Scheme
A new federal government initiative, the Solar Sharer scheme, will require electricity retailers in NSW, South Australia, and southeast Queensland to provide households with three hours of free daytime power starting in mid-2026. The program aims to leverage Australia's abundant rooftop solar generation by encouraging households with smart meters to shift energy-intensive activities to midday when solar supply is highest. Energy Minister Chris Bowen emphasized the scheme's focus on fairly distributing the advantages of the solar boom to both homeowners and renters. Customers can access the free power block, which is determined by retailers and monitored by the Australian Energy Regulator, by moving approximately 25% of their daily energy consumption into that time frame.
Source: www.realestate.com.au
Top Australian Suburbs Identified for Successful Rentvesting
New data highlights prime locations for Australians engaging in rentvesting, a strategy where individuals purchase investment properties in growth areas while continuing to rent their primary residence. With Australians renting for an average of nearly a decade before buying, rentvesting is gaining traction as a way to enter the property market sooner. According to money.com.au, the average rental period before buying is six years, with South Australia having the longest average at seven years, followed by NSW and Queensland at 6.5 years. InvestorKit CEO Arjun Paliwal suggests rentvesting offers a pathway to market entry before being able to afford a primary residence.
Source: www.realestate.com.au
Great Southern Mining Uncovers High-Grade Gold Corridor in WA
Great Southern Mining's recent aircore drilling at its Duketon gold project near Laverton, Western Australia, has revealed a significant 4.5km corridor of shallow, high-grade gold at the Amy Clarke prospect. The drilling campaign yielded a standout result of 2m at 23.9 grams per tonne (g/t) gold. This strike occurred on the edge of the southernmost drill line, in an area previously undrilled, indicating the gold system remains open to the south. The company has completed 8,000 meters of aircore drilling across a 6-kilometer section.
Source: www.smh.com.au
Real Estate Agents Accused of Underquoting to Attract Auction Bidders
An ABC investigation has revealed instances of alleged underquoting by real estate agents in Sydney, where properties are advertised with price guides significantly lower than the seller's desired price and the eventual sale price. This practice, designed to attract more bidders to auctions, is illegal under Australian consumer law, although specific regulations vary by state. One example cited involved a property in Sydney's western suburbs advertised at $1 million but ultimately selling for over $1.3 million.
Source: www.abc.net.au
Illicit Tobacco Trade Costs Australia $4 Billion
Australia's black market tobacco trade has surged, becoming a major criminal enterprise. In the 2023-24 financial year, it cost the country $4 billion in lost tax revenue and contributed to an $82.3 billion overall economic impact from organised crime. The increase is attributed to higher black market tobacco sales and escalating violence related to territory disputes. Authorities have seized large quantities of illicit cigarettes, vapes, and loose-leaf tobacco, with investigations ongoing.
Source: www.abc.net.au
Microsoft to Issue Refunds Over Misleading Subscription Price Hike
Microsoft will refund Australian customers after the ACCC alleged the company misled approximately 2.7 million users regarding Microsoft 365 subscription costs. The ACCC claimed Microsoft encouraged customers to stay on more expensive plans. Microsoft has apologized, admitting communication failures regarding price changes introduced in October 2024 with the integration of AI capabilities into Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions. The ACCC is still pursuing penalties against Microsoft despite the refund offer.
Source: www.abc.net.au
Labor's 'Solar Sharer' Scheme Aims to Provide Free Power
The federal government is proposing a 'Solar Sharer' scheme to give some Australians free power for at least three hours daily. The scheme intends to utilise the high electricity generation from solar panels. If implemented in July, it will initially apply to areas covered by the Australian Energy Regulator's Default Market Offer, which currently includes only three regions. The government plans to consult with other states to potentially expand the offer by 2027.
Source: www.abc.net.au
Mining Sector Boosts Australian Shares Amidst Investor Uncertainty
Australian shares experienced a slight increase, driven by gains in the mining sector, after a two-day decline. However, overall market sentiment remains cautious due to ongoing investor uncertainty.
Source: www.businessnews.com.au
Published: Friday 07 November 2025 | Fresh Articles: 30 | Sections: 13 | RunID: 2025-11-07T08:11:32+11:00
Enjoyed this article?
Get weekly commercial property insights and market updates.
Join 450+ property investors • Unsubscribe anytime