Australia: Real Estate and Construction

Although the Opposition’s proposals reflect political positioning rather than formal policy, these debates—and the broader public conversation on immigration—offer early signals of potential shifts to workforce planning and access to skilled talent.

The Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026 introduces sweeping reforms to NSW's construction regulatory framework, consolidating multiple Acts into a unified system. This second instalment examines the Bill's provisions on practitioner registration, disciplinary proceedings, investigations, and expanded Secretary powers—revealing how the new regime will reshape compliance obligations, enforcement mechanisms, and oversight of both practitioners and approval authorities across the building ind

The Clean Energy Investor Group has released a comprehensive report examining the implementation of Australia's reformed Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. What specific recommendations does the report make to ensure faster, more efficient environmental assessments while strengthening protection outcomes for renewable energy projects?

On 30 June 2026 the Supreme Court of New South Wales handed down its judgment in Forever Grateful Holdings Pty Ltd v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue [2026] NSWSC 761, which clarified the point in time at which the relevant facts are to be considered when determining a duty liability arising under the Duties Act 1997 (NSW) (Duties Act).

Yes, you must have a Contract for the sale and purchase of land (“Contract”) which can be prepared for you by a lawyer or licensed conveyancer and must, in the case of residential land, be prepared before your property...

A property lawyer or licensed conveyancer (collectively “Property Law Specialist”) assists with buying and transferring property in NSW.

Bankruptcy trustees play a crucial statutory role in managing insolvency cases, but their function extends beyond enforcement to collaborative assistance. Through a detailed case study, this article examines how an individual's reluctance to cooperate with trustees transformed a manageable $44,800 debt into a protracted three-year bankruptcy that ultimately cost him everything, including opportunities for annulment.

A New South Wales Court of Appeal decision examines whether an unpainted speed hump in a carpark constitutes an obvious risk when all other tripping hazards were marked with yellow paint. The case explores the duty to warn under section 5H of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) and establishes important principles for occupiers regarding consistency in hazard marking.

The strata reform is broadly intended to give owners in strata schemes across NSW greater trust and confidence in how strata is regulated.

Although the Opposition’s proposals reflect political positioning rather than formal policy, these debates—and the broader public conversation on immigration—offer early signals of potential shifts to workforce planning and access to skilled talent.

When can a Queensland commercial landlord lawfully lock a tenant out for unpaid rent, and what legal protections exist for tenants facing forfeiture? This guide examines the statutory requirements under the Property Law Act 2023 (Qld), the circumstances in which a lockout may be challenged, and the remedies available when re-entry is unlawful.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued its first formal rejection under the country's new mandatory merger regime, blocking Coles' proposed acquisition of a leasehold interest for a supermarket development in Kalgoorlie. This landmark decision signals a significant shift in how regulators will scrutinize supermarket expansion projects, particularly in regional markets, and raises critical questions about the competitive implications of greenfield developments that don't involve acquir