Effective 1 January 2025, the Short Stay Levy Act 2024 (Vic) introduced a 7.5% levy on short-term accommodation bookings. This levy has widely become known as the “Airbnb tax” and is aimed at addressing the state’s housing shortage by encouraging property owners of current short-stay rentals to transition their properties into long-term leasing options, thereby increasing the availability of permanent housing.

In this HA Housing Insights series, we shine a spotlight on the housing crisis and speak with key industry experts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced in delivering housing outcomes and potential solutions.

In the sixth instalment of our HA Housing Insights series we hear from Tim Copley, Development Manager at McNab about how the barriers currently faced by developers in Queensland may be overcome.  

The recent changes to the Family Law Act 1975, which largely come into effect in June 2025 will address how family violence is now considered in family law property settlement matters.

These amendments reflect the increasing prevalence of allegations of family violence in our society and within the family law jurisdiction specifically and the serious financial and emotional consequences that can result for victim-survivors.

The recent NSW Supreme Court decision in Gainer Associates Pty Limited [2024] NSWSC 1138 sheds light on critical issues surrounding self-managed superannuation funds. This case intricately examines  issues of trustee responsibilities, compliance with the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993, and the necessary judicial oversight in potentially contentious situations.

The court emphasised the need for trustees to maintain clear documentation and adhere to the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993. This case serves as a vital reminder for trustees regarding the complexities of compliance and the significance of transparency in governance..

Harwood Andrews Planning and Environment team have been recognised as First Tier in the 2025 listing of leading Victorian Town Planning & Development Law Firms and Recommended in the area of Leading Environment & Climate Change Law Firm - Victoria, 2025.

When making a will, one of the most important decisions you need to make is who you will appoint as your executor.

If you are a parent who has recently separated from their partner and you have children with them, you may be starting to navigate how to put some care arrangements in place for your children. Or, you may have been separated for some time and are considering pathways to resolve your current parenting dispute, or looking to what future arrangements will be best for your children.

In this HA Housing Insights series, we shine a spotlight on the housing crisis and speak with key industry experts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced in delivering housing outcomes and potential solutions.

In the fifth instalment of our HA Housing Insights series we speak with Brian Farrelly, Partner and Executive Director at Pitcher Partners Melbourne within the Tax Advisory Group to hear his views.

There have been some important changes to the Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes-Franchising) Regulations 2024. These changes will come into effect on 1 April 2025 and have the potential to impact the way franchises operate. As a result, it’s important that both franchisees and franchisors are aware of their new obligations and rights.

On 19 February 2025, the Full Federal Court, in FCT v Bendel [2025] FCAFC 15 (Bendel), held that an unpaid present entitlement (UPE) with a corporate beneficiary is not a loan under subsection 109D(3) of Division 7A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (ITAA 1936).

In this HA Housing Insights series, we shine a spotlight on the housing crisis and speak with key industry experts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced in delivering housing outcomes and potential solutions.

In our fourth instalment of our HA Housing Insights series we speak with Bruce Wan, Head of Research at MaxCap Group. Bruce brings a unique perspective on the housing market through the lens of a lender and his background in global market research. 

The recent VCAT decision of Caloutas as trustee for Caloutas Family Trust v Commissioner of State Revenue [2025] VCAT explored how bare or fixed trusts intersect with the Victoria land tax trust surcharge provisions.

The housing crisis remains a critical issue in Australia.

A coordinated effort between all levels of government, the private sector and community housing organisations is required to tackle the crisis and boost supply.

In this HA Housing Insights series, our social and affordable housing team speak with key industry experts – including developers, builders, community housing providers, investors and property and tax specialists – to gain a well-rounded perspective on the challenges faced in delivering housing outcomes and potential solutions.

Today we speak with Jessica Jones, Head of Strategy & Business Development at Balmain & Co to gain insight from the builder perspective on the affordable housing crisis.

The housing crisis remains a critical issue in Australia.

A coordinated effort between all levels of government, the private sector and community housing organisations is required to tackle the crisis and boost supply.

In this HA Housing Insights series, our social and affordable housing team speak with key industry experts – including developers, builders, community housing providers, investors and property and tax specialists – to gain a well-rounded perspective on the challenges faced in delivering housing outcomes and potential solutions.

Today we speak with Jesse Radisich, Director of the Victorian JLL Capital Markets – Development Team, to provide us with insight into what is happening in the current market, trends and opportunities in the affordable housing and build-to-rent sector.

The housing crisis remains a critical issue in Australia.

A coordinated effort between all levels of government, the private sector and community housing organisations is required to tackle the crisis and boost supply.

In this HA Housing Insights series, our social and affordable housing team speak with key industry experts – including developers, builders, community housing providers, investors and property and tax specialists – to gain a well-rounded perspective on the challenges faced in delivering housing outcomes and potential solutions.

To open the conversation, we speak with Mike Myers, who has 42 years’ experience working in the UK and Australia across all aspects of social and affordable housing in the community, government and private sectors, including policy, delivery, finance and executive leadership.

The article indicated that there is a $3.5 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer expected over the next decade, in the form of inheritances flowing from the first group of the Baby Boomer generation (born from 1946 to 1964) who are nearing the age of average life expectancy.

In a Private Binding Ruling, the ATO determined that payment of a death benefit to a spouse’s estate is not tax-free under section 302-10(2) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.