St Georges Legal

2026-27 Housing Taxation Package
Changes applied

On 7 May 2026, the WA State Government announced budget measures in relation to the first home owner grant, first home owner rate of duty, and foreign transfer duty. These follow an announcement made on 12 March 2026 in relation to off-the-plan duty concessions. See information about the changes.

First home owner grant and the first home owner rate of duty

The changes:

increase the first home owner grant cap for homes south of the 26th parallel of South Latitude to $800,000
increase the first home owner rate of duty thresholds and
remove the link between the property value caps for the first home owner grant and the first home owner rate of duty.

Off-the-plan duty concession

The changes extend the concession, increase the value thresholds, and expand the concession to off-the-plan purchases of survey-strata dwellings.

Foreign buyers duty

The changes establish a new foreign transfer duty exemption for ‘build-to-sell’ developments. These changes will be implemented once the Bill is passed and receives the Royal Assent.

The WA State Budget 2026–27 introduced major property tax concessions, including increased stamp duty exemptions for first home buyers, higher FHOG thresholds, and expanded off-the-plan duty concessions until 30 June 2028. These changes create significant savings opportunities for buyers, investors, and parties involved in property and family law settlements.

ST GEORGES LEGAL provides expert property settlement, conveyancing, and strategic legal advice to help clients maximise these new concessions and navigate property transactions with confidence. Contact : 0403 454 237

One of our clients sent us an email today in the following terms:

“I wanted to reach out and express my sincere thanks for supporting me throughout this entire process. From the initial challenges in locating documents through to finally obtaining the title certificate, you have been a steady and calming presence throughout.

There were certainly times when I felt overwhelmed by the legal terminology, but your guidance and advice in addressing my many questions helped me remain reassured and informed. I truly appreciate the extra care you took to ensure that I understood each step of the process, as well as your prompt and thoughtful responses at all times.

It is a great relief to have everything finalised, and we are very happy with the outcome.

I will certainly be in touch if I require any assistance in the future, and I will be pleased to recommend you to my friends and family.

Wishing you all the very best.

Warm regards,”

Visit our website today to explore our comprehensive legal services tailored to your needs. Whether you're facing a civil dispute, dealing with family law issues, or need commercial law advice, St. Georges Legal is here to offer expert guidance and solutions. Discover how our dedication and expertise can help secure the best outcomes for you.

In Re AWN; Ex Parte AWN [2026] WASC 59, the Supreme Court of Western Australia dismissed an application seeking judicial review of procedural orders made by a Family Court magistrate in parenting proceedings. The applicant alleged denial of procedural fairness, reliance on late evidence, failure to consider child-safety risks, and legal unreasonableness when the magistrate scheduled the matter for a later interim hearing rather than granting urgent relief. Justice Bydder held that the Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction to review the decision because the magistrate had been exercising federal jurisdiction under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), and such decisions are not subject to supervisory judicial review by the Supreme Court. In any event, the court found no arguable case of jurisdictional error or denial of procedural fairness, as the hearing in question was merely a directions hearing to schedule the matter, not a determination of parenting issues, and the magistrate had reasonably relied on the available material, including the Independent Children’s Lawyer’s letter indicating no immediate risk to the child. Accordingly, the application for a review order was dismissed.

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The Supreme Court of Western Australia dismissed an appeal from the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) concerning its jurisdiction to determine a dispute arising from a home building contract. The builder argued that SAT lacked jurisdiction because the building contract had been terminated and that it could not award “loss of bargain” damages, particularly where the house had never been constructed and the land had later been sold. Justice Cobby rejected these arguments, holding that s 17 of the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 (WA) allows complaints about breach of a home building contract even if the contract has been terminated, and that s 41(2)(d) of the Building Services (Complaint Resolution and Administration) Act 2011 (WA) empowers SAT to award compensation for loss caused by a breach, including loss-of-bargain damages. The Court emphasised that the legislative scheme intends building contract disputes to be resolved through the Building Commissioner and SAT rather than the courts. As the grounds of appeal had no merit, leave to appeal was refused and the appeal dismissed........Thompson Sustainable Homes (WA) Pty Ltd v Phelan [2025] WASC 444

We at St Georges Legal extend our warmest wishes to you and your family for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The past year has been both rewarding and successful, and we sincerely thank you for your continued trust and support. We look forward to serving you in the year ahead.

Explore your legal options and gain valuable insights by visiting our website today. Navigate your legal journey with confidence and clarity at stgeorgeslegal.com.au.

We have special pricing for Property settlements and Wills preparation for a limited time.

Exciting News from St Georges Legal!
We are pleased to inform our valued clients, colleagues, and community that St Georges Legal has now commenced handling Settlements – including Property Settlements, Landgate dealings, and Business Purchases & Sales Settlements.
This new service complements our existing legal offerings and is part of our continued commitment to serving you with efficiency, integrity, and professionalism.
🙏 Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to assisting you with all your legal and settlement needs.
📩 For enquiries, contact us at [email protected] or call us on 0403 454 237.