It’s no secret that the Perth property market is running hot. With prices up 25% last year and supply for both sales and rentals remaining historically low, conditions are challenging—especially for first home buyers and tenants.

As your local real estate experts and proud REIWA members, we see these pressures firsthand every single day.

That’s why we’re encouraged to see the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) take a proactive stance. REIWA has just tabled its pre-budget submission for the 2026-27 State Budget, outlining practical, common-sense policies to tackle housing affordability and stabilise the rental market.

Here’s a breakdown of the key proposals and what they could mean for you.

1. A Common-Sense Fix for First Home Buyers

The Problem: The current stamp duty thresholds for first home buyers (FHBs) are outdated. No duty is payable on homes up to $500,000. However, REIWA data shows that in the year to September 2025, only 7.6% of all dwelling sales in Perth were below $500,000. This policy is failing to help the very people it’s designed for.

REIWA’s Solution:

  • Stop the “Set and Forget”: Instead of random, out-of-date price caps, REIWA is calling for the stamp duty thresholds to be permanently linked to REIWA’s own market data.
  • How it would work: The lower threshold (for no duty) would be pegged to the rolling annual lower quartile price, and the upper threshold (for concessional duty) would be set at the rolling median price.
  • The Impact: This simple change would ensure the thresholds automatically adjust to the market, whether it’s rising or falling. It would instantly help thousands more Western Australians buy their first home, which in turn would free up much-needed properties in the rental market.

This same logic would be applied to the $2,000 Home Buyers Assistance Account (HBAA) grant, linking its threshold to real-time data so more buyers can access it.

2. A New Approach to the Rental Squeeze

The Problem: The rental market is incredibly difficult, particularly for vulnerable tenants. Demand for social housing has risen, and the supply of affordable rentals near the city is vanishingly small.

REIWA’s Solutions:

  • For Landlords & Tenants: Establish a Social Impact Property Investment Program. This would offer property investors incentives (like concessions on land tax or local government rates) in return for leasing their properties at a below-market rent to eligible, low-income tenants. This “carrot” approach encourages private investment while providing critical housing.
  • For the Most Vulnerable: A call to boost social housing stock by funding 1,000 new or refurbished dwellings every year.

3. Boosting Housing Supply with Off-the-Plan Support

The Problem: At its core, our market’s problem is a lack of supply. We simply need more homes, and that includes building “up” with more apartments, units, and townhouses.

REIWA’s Solution:

  • Extend the stamp duty concession and rebate scheme for off-the-plan apartments, which is currently set to expire in June 2026.
  • The Impact: This scheme has been highly effective. It saves buyers tens of thousands of dollars, making new apartments a more attractive option. This encourages developers to build more, increasing housing diversity and density in key areas.

4. Modernising the Bond Process for Tenants & Landlords

The Problem: The current process for lodging a rental bond is slow, manual, and creates unnecessary risk. It involves tenants paying the agent/landlord, who then manually lodges it with the Bond Administrator. This process can take weeks and creates exposure to cyber risk and fraud.

REIWA’s Solution:

  • Allow direct rental bond payments from the tenant straight to the Bond Administrator.
  • The Impact: This is a simple, modern fix. An automated receipt would be sent to both the tenant and the property manager instantly. This change would:
    • Increase Security: Massively reduce cyber risk.
    • Boost Efficiency: Cut processing time by up to two weeks.
    • Improve Transparency: Give both tenants and landlords immediate confidence that the bond is lodged and secured.

Our View

As agents on the ground, we believe these are practical, data-driven reforms that balance the needs of all market participants. They would provide genuine help to first home buyers, create new avenues for affordable rentals, boost housing supply, and modernise the rental system for everyone.

We will be watching the government’s response closely.

In this complex market, having an expert on your side is more important than ever. Whether you’re a first home buyer wondering about assistance, an investor considering your options, or a homeowner curious about your property’s value, our team is here to help. Contact us today for a confidential discussion.