Oceania: Real Estate and Construction

The construction sector continues to face one of the tightest labour markets in Australia. Demand for housing and major infrastructure has surged, yet the supply of skilled workers has not kept pace. Jobs and Skills Australia data consistently highlights construction trades, such as bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers, and electricians, in persistent deficit.

In a recent decision of the Victorian Supreme Court, Justice Osborne considered the scope of s 52 of the Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic), which states that a plaintiff must prove causation.

The Queensland Productivity Commission has launched a public inquiry into the 2025 EPBC Act reforms, examining their impact on Queensland businesses and industries. With an interim report due later this year and final recommendations by April 2027, stakeholders now have a critical opportunity to submit evidence on regulatory burdens, compliance costs, and operational impacts.

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.

Thoughts on operation of Qld's "new" Property Law Act – in particular the new concept of the Seller Disclosure regime.

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.

Amendments to the SSM Act extend the time limit to claim for losses from an owners corporation's failure to maintain common property from 2 to 6 years.

Commercial leases in NSW are typically drafted by landlords' solicitors with terms that heavily favor the property owner. Four key provisions—outgoings escalation, make good obligations, personal guarantees, and rent review mechanics—routinely create six-figure financial exposures that are negotiable before signing but nearly impossible to modify afterward.

In a recent decision of the Victorian Supreme Court, Justice Osborne considered the scope of s 52 of the Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic), which states that a plaintiff must prove causation.

Australia's proposed capital gains tax reforms will dramatically expand what constitutes taxable Australian real property for foreign investors, capturing previously exempt assets like solar farms and infrastructure. The most controversial aspect is the retrospective application dating back to 2006, potentially exposing foreign investors to unexpected tax liabilities on historical transactions they believed were compliant.