📈 Today's Commercial Property & SMSF News
Queensland Housing Affordability Plummets, Report Reveals
A recent PropTrack report indicates a significant decline in housing affordability across Queensland, particularly impacting lower-income households. The report highlights that a median-income household in Queensland, earning approximately $115,000, could only afford 14% of homes sold during the 2025 financial year, a decrease from 18% the previous year. While conditions are not as severe as in 2007-08, when interest rates exceeded 8%, the trend points to increasing challenges for Queenslanders seeking to enter the housing market.
Source: www.news.com.au
James Packer's NPACT Invests in Melbourne Residential Project Despite Andrews Grudge
Despite harboring resentment towards former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews, billionaire James Packer is continuing to invest in Melbourne's property market through his development group, NPACT. In a joint venture with Chapter Group, NPACT is commencing a new six-level residential project featuring 40 apartments in Malvern, an eastern suburb of Melbourne. This follows their acquisition of a Land Rover-Jaguar car yard for $21.7 million last year, signaling Packer's continued confidence in Melbourne's high-end residential sector.
Source: www.smh.com.au
Packer's NPACT Group Invests in Melbourne Property Despite Criticism of Former Premier
Despite James Packer's reported discontent with former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews, his development company, NPACT, is continuing to invest in Melbourne's high-end residential property market. NPACT has partnered with Chapter Group on a new six-level, 40-apartment project in Malvern, acquiring the site for $21.7 million from Nick Polites last year.
Source: www.theage.com.au
📊 Yesterday's Key Developments
APRA Imposes Lending Restrictions Amid Rising Risky Mortgages
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is introducing new lending restrictions, effective February 2026, in response to an increase in riskier lending practices fueled by low interest rates and high property prices. The regulator will limit banks from issuing more than 20% of new mortgages to owner-occupiers and investors with debt-to-income ratios exceeding six. APRA's chair, John Lonsdale, stated that while overall lending standards remain sound, the regulator has observed a recent uptick in risky lending, prompting the intervention.
Source: www.realestate.com.au
Luxury Home Buyers Shift Focus Inland to Carrara on the Gold Coast
Prestige property buyers on the Gold Coast are increasingly looking beyond beachfront properties and turning their attention to inland suburbs like Carrara. Factors driving this trend include the rising cost and limited availability of beachfront homes, as well as the appeal of larger properties, privacy, and amenities offered in areas like Carrara. Data indicates a notable increase in searches for homes in the $1.4–$2 million range in Carrara over the past year.
Source: www.realestate.com.au
Carrara Emerges as New Prestige Address on the Gold Coast
Luxury home buyers are increasingly looking inland on the Gold Coast due to high prices and limited availability of beachfront properties. Carrara, known for its spacious properties, leafy streets, lakes, and sporting facilities, is becoming a sought-after prestige address. Realestate.com.au data indicates a rise in searches for homes in Carrara priced between $1.4 million and $2 million, surpassing some coastal areas.
Source: www.realestate.com.au
Housing Affordability Crisis: Victorian Households Priced Out
A new report indicates that a typical Victorian household earning a median wage can afford less than 20% of the homes sold in the state. According to PropTrack's Housing Affordability Report, those earning $120,000 annually could comfortably purchase only 18% of Victorian homes sold in the past financial year, a slight increase from the previous year. Mortgage repayments now account for 32% of average household income, down from a prior figure.
Source: www.realestate.com.au
Melbourne's 'Ghost Homes' Surge Amid Housing Crisis
New data reveals a significant increase in long-term vacant homes in Melbourne, with over 31,000 properties sitting empty last year. Prosper Australia's analysis, identifying homes with zero water usage, shows a 16% rise in these "ghost homes." These vacant properties could potentially house over 53,000 people, exacerbating the city's rental and homelessness issues.
Source: www.realestate.com.au
APRA to Limit High Debt-to-Income Home Loans
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) will introduce restrictions on home loans, effective February 1 next year. These measures aim to curb the issuance of high-risk, large loans. The new rule stipulates that a maximum of 20% of a bank's new loans can have a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio exceeding six. This cap applies separately to both investor and owner-occupier loans to prevent investors from displacing owner-occupiers.
Source: www.abc.net.au
APRA Chair Discusses New Home Loan Restrictions
John Lonsdale, the chair of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), discussed the regulator's decision to cap high debt-to-income loans at 20% of all newly approved loans in a recent interview. This is part of APRA's move to manage risks associated with increasing household debt.
Source: www.abc.net.au
APRA to Tighten Home Loan Standards Amid Housing Market Concerns
The Australian banking regulator is set to introduce new restrictions on home loans in the near future. These measures aim to curb the issuance of mortgages considered to be high-risk, as a response to the current housing market boom.
Source: www.abc.net.au
APRA Enhances Oversight of Australian Ethical Superannuation's Spending
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has placed additional requirements on Australian Ethical Superannuation Pty Ltd (AES), the trustee of the Australian Ethical Retail Superannuation Fund. This action addresses concerns regarding AES's management of its expenditures, particularly concerning related-party transactions with its parent company, Australian Ethical Investments. APRA's review revealed shortcomings in AES's procedures for assessing and justifying the fees paid to its parent company, ensuring they align with members' best financial interests. The new license conditions will require AES to take specific actions to improve its expenditure management practices.
Source: www.apra.gov.au
APRA Imposes Limits on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is introducing restrictions on home loans with high debt-to-income ratios. This proactive measure aims to mitigate potential vulnerabilities in the financial system related to housing. APRA has noticed an increase in riskier lending practices due to factors like falling interest rates and rising housing prices. Although overall lending standards are currently stable, the regulator is concerned about the potential for increased risk, particularly in high DTI lending, especially to investors. The move is designed to bolster the resilience of the banking sector and household finances.
Source: www.apra.gov.au
Published: Friday 28 November 2025 | Fresh Articles: 31 | Sections: 13 | RunID: 2025-11-28T08:11:05+11:00
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