Melbourne Property Podcast

Ep 38: 2026 Budget Property Shake Up - Negative Gearing, CGT and Market Impacts

Melbourne Property Podcast

Show Notes

Published: 13 May 2026

In this emergency episode of the Melbourne Property Podcast, hosts Lindsay and Sky unpack the major property tax changes announced on 12 May in the 2026 Budget and what they could mean for Melbourne buyers, Australian property investors and renters.

They break down the proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, including the shift toward new residential builds from 1 July 2027, grandfathering for existing holdings, and the replacement of the 50 per cent CGT discount with indexation and a 30 per cent minimum tax on gains.

The episode looks beyond the headlines though and delves into buyer behaviour and market impacts. Investors may move toward commercial property, SMSFs, trusts, companies and higher yielding strategies. At the same time, owner occupiers may see a short term buying window if some investors look to sell before the new rules take effect.

Lindsay and Sky also explain why new builds are not automatically strong investments, why tax driven decisions can be dangerous, and why asset selection, purchasing structures, yield and value-add potential will matter more than ever.

If you are buying property anywhere in Australia, reviewing an investment portfolio, or trying to understand what these changes could mean for the broader market, this episode provides clear, practical insights to help you make more informed decisions.

Episode highlights include: • What changed for negative gearing and CGT in the 2026 Budget • Why new builds are being favoured under the new rules • How investor behaviour may shift across residential, commercial, trust, company and SMSF structures • Why new builds and house-and-land packages still need strong fundamentals • The possible impact on rental supply, rents and owner occupier competition • What investors should review before making decisions based off tax, rather than a true strategy

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