Australia's New Property And Rental Rules For July 2026

Australia's property sector undergoes significant regulatory shifts from 1 July 2026, introducing national anti-money laundering checks, portable rental bonds in Victoria, and full stamp duty abolition for first-home buyers in the ACT. These financial year changes reshape buying, selling, and renting across the country, while low-income renters face the end of the National Rental Affordability Scheme amid a tight housing market.

What are the new national anti-money laundering rules for property?

Home buyers and sellers must provide a driver licence or passport to real estate agents from 1 July 2026 under new anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws. Real estate agents are now required to verify the identity of parties involved in a transaction and may need to ask questions regarding the nature of the purchase and the source of funds.

Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) chief executive Scott Rollason stated the reforms mark a significant step in protecting the Australian property market from financial crime.

These reforms are designed to make it harder for criminals to use property transactions to hide or legitimise illicit funds, and to strengthen the integrity of Australia's economy.

Rollason noted that a buyer may be asked how funds for a property purchase were obtained, whether through salary, savings, investments, gifts or the sale of assets.

How does the end of the National Rental Affordability Scheme affect renters?

Low-income households receiving discounted rent through the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) will transition into a highly competitive rental market as the scheme concludes. The program, which offered incentives to property owners to rent out affordable homes, has supported about 36,000 households since its 2008 inception, but has been winding down over the past decade.

The federal government asserts that the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) is building more affordable homes to address the need. However, it remains unclear whether the new supply will adequately meet demand. This transition occurs as national rental vacancy remains at 1.37 percent, down 42 percent compared to five years ago, according to PropTrack data.

What do Victoria's new portable rental bonds mean for tenants?

Victorian renters can now transfer an existing rental bond to a new property, avoiding the financial strain of paying a second bond upfront. The state's new portable rental bond scheme commenced on 1 July 2026, allowing renters to apply for bond transfers online through the residential tenancies bonds system. This eliminates the out-of-pocket period renters typically face while waiting for a refund.

From October 2026, rental providers will also be required to provide evidence before making any claim on a bond. Victorian renters minister Paul Edbrooke emphasised the fairness of the reform.

Moving house shouldn't mean paying two bonds at once. From July 1, it won't.

Victoria is the first state to roll out portable bonds. New South Wales is set to launch a similar scheme this year, and South Australia is currently reviewing the idea.

How does the ACT stamp duty abolition help first-home buyers?

First-home buyers in the Australian Capital Territory will pay zero stamp duty from 1 July 2026, following the government's abolition of the tax. The ACT is the first jurisdiction in Australia to cut stamp duty entirely for all first-home buyers, removing a major upfront hurdle to homeownership.

ACT chief minister Andrew Barr said the changes would help more Canberrans enter the market sooner and with greater confidence. The territory's latest budget also expanded stamp duty exemptions to pensioners, eligible National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants, and all home buyers who have not owned property in the past five years.

We are also extending stamp duty relief to pensioners and to people purchasing new unit-titled homes, giving older Canberrans more choice to downsize and better match their housing to their needs.

Have the federal home battery rebate rules changed?

Australian homeowners adopting rooftop solar and battery storage face new rebate rules following a federal overhaul of the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. The government changed the rebate structure from a per kilowatt-hour discount to a tiered model on 1 May 2026. Under this model, smaller systems continue to receive full rebates, while mid-range and larger battery installations receive a reduced claim amount.

The program was designed to reduce the upfront cost of a home battery by roughly 30 percent, saving homeowners about $4,000 on average. According to the Clean Energy Council, Australian households installed as many batteries in the final six months of 2025 as they did in the five years prior, highlighting the rapid uptake of the technology.

Do all Australian property buyers need to provide ID from July 2026?

Yes. Under the new national anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws effective from 1 July 2026, all buyers and sellers must provide identification, such as a driver licence or passport, to real estate agents involved in the transaction.

Will portable rental bonds be available across Australia?

Not yet. Portable rental bonds currently only apply in Victoria from 1 July 2026. However, New South Wales is expected to launch its own scheme later this year, and South Australia is exploring a similar policy.