22 June 2026 The VCAT (Fees) Regulations 2026 have now been made and will operationally commence from 27 June 2026. The Regulations, along with a summary of the changes and consultation submissions received, are available at: Remake of Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal fees​​ | Engage Victoria. The REIV made a submission to this review.  The intended outcome of the changes...

18 June 2026 Over the past month we’ve seen new data on economic growth which shows growth slowing, the unemployment rate has continued to trend higher, inflation has eased a little but remains uncomfortably high. Let’s look at the key data over the past month. Inflation remains elevated but the rate of growth slows In April 2026, headline inflation increased by 0.4 per cent over the...

10 June 2026 The Victorian Government has tabled an omnibus bill that impacts across the real estate sector.   Principal ActReformCommencement DateConveyancers Act 2006Authorise the Business Licensing Authority (BLA) to suspend a conveyancer’s licence if they fail to comply with trust account audit requirements.The day after the Bill receives Royal AssentEstate Agents Act 1980Authorise...

03 June 2026 MEDIA RELEASEThe Victorian Government’s introduction of legislation requiring sellers to disclose auction reserve prices seven days before auction will have a counter-productive effect on price transparency and worsen the buying experience for Victorians. The Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) is flabbergasted by the Victorian Government’s decision to introduce the...

03 June 2026 The Victorian Government has published its long-awaited OC Act Review and announced legislation based on its recommendations.  A bill to be introduced to parliament today will include mandating new rights for owners seeking hardship payment plans, clearer rules for owners corporations starting legal proceedings over non-monetary matters, and changes to the Subdivision Act to make...

19 May 2026 May 2026 column The past month has seen a jump in inflation on the back of the war in the Middle East, another increase in interest rates and fundamental changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount announced in the federal budget. Let’s look at the data. Federal budget delivers a shock to investors The federal government in their budget for 2026-27 announced...

20 April 2026 April 2026 column A lot has changed in the space of a month with war breaking out in the Middle East, inflation looking to be higher for longer leading to higher interest rates for longer. Meanwhile there are signs of a slowing housing market on the back of these conditions and the elevated volume of stock available for sale. Let’s look at the data. Inflation pressures are...

08 April 2026 An analysis of transaction volume in Melbourne at various price points over the 12 months to December 2025 show that high transaction volumes are concentrated at price points that align with the first home buyer stamp duty discounts. Note: only including residential sales under $2m in 2025 Sold PriceNumber of...

25 March 2026 OPINION EDITORIALPublished in Herald Sun on 25/03/2026The Victorian Government has less than nine months to demonstrate a willingness to abandon its flawed, populist policy of discriminating against rental providers if we are to believe it capable of enabling renters to finally emerge from their residential property wilderness. After all, if one can reasonably expect an election year...

18 March 2026 In this month’s update I’m taking a look at inflationary pressures, interest rate decisions, home prices, rental costs, listings supply, days on market for properties selling and approvals to build homes. Inflation remains too high The latest inflation data for January 2026 shows that the consumer price index (CPI) was 1.3 per cent higher over the past three months and 3.8...