📜 Finance Legislation Amendment (Housing Affordability) Bill 2026

Legislative Assembly Second ReadingLABill 7817 June 2026

This Bill aims to improve housing affordability in Western Australia by amending the Duties Act 2008, the First Home Owner Grant Act 2000, and the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992. It focuses on stimulating housing supply, reducing barriers to home ownership for first home buyers, and extending rates and charges concessions to certain pensioners.

Impact

This bill primarily affects first home buyers by increasing duty exemption and concession thresholds, making it more affordable to purchase homes and vacant land. It also impacts property developers through new exemptions and extensions to existing concessions, aiming to boost housing supply. Additionally, certain pensioners will benefit from extended rates and charges concessions.

Key Changes

["Increase the First Home Owner Rate (FHOR) of duty exemption and concession thresholds by $100,000.", "Remove the requirement for a property to be under the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) cap to qualify for the FHOR.", "Extend the off-the-plan duty concession for two years until 30 June 2028, increase its thresholds by $50,000, and expand it to survey-strata scheme developments.", "Introduce a new 'build-to-sell' exemption from foreign transfer duty for foreign persons who build and sell a house that adds at least one more dwelling to the housing stock.", "Convert existing foreign buyers duty exemptions for land intended for 10 or more dwellings into an upfront exemption instead of a reassessment and refund."]