Empower Blog Property & Financial Investment

Tax Time for Property Investors: What to Claim, What to Review, and What the 2026 Tax Changes Mean for Your Next Move

Tax time is here again. And if you own an investment property, this year may feel a little different. Yes, there are still the usual tax-time questions: What can I claim? What records do I need? Can I claim repairs? What about interest, depreciation, insurance and property management fees? But in 2026, property investors are al...

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Stability on Edge: VanEck’s April 2026 Summary 

Please Note: This report was created and provided by VanEck. “I bought my first stock in, probably, April of 1942, when I was 11. And since then, I mean, actually World War II didn’t look so good at that time.” – Warren Buffett This was the first quarter in over 55 years that Warren Buffett was not the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, ...

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SMSF Property After the 2026 Federal Budget: What Investors Need to Know

Note: Since this article was first drafted, the proposed changes have progressed significantly. As at 26 June 2026, the negative gearing and CGT reforms have passed Federal Parliament, and the Labor–Greens deal includes a ban on future SMSF borrowing arrangements for residential property. The Federal Budget has naturally led many investors to...

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(LIVE) RBA June 2026 | Pause, Peak… or More Pain Ahead?

The RBA has held the cash rate at 4.35% — the first pause after three consecutive hikes this year. But the Board's statement made it clear that the tightening cycle is not necessarily over. What Happened Today? The RBA left the cash rate unchanged for the first time in 2026, responding to signs that the trio of earlier hikes are beginning ...

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Guaranteed Property Returns: Why Investors Should Be Cautious of Promises That Sound Too Good to Be True

The recent liquidation of a highly prolific property advisory firm has put a spotlight back on an important issue in property investing: Guaranteed Returns. For many investors, certainty is incredibly appealing. When markets feel noisy, tax policy is changing, borrowing conditions are shifting, and people are trying to make smart decisi...

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Should I Still Invest in Property Without Negative Gearing?

Last week, we released a blog titled: What the 2026 Negative Gearing and CGT Changes Could Mean for Property Investors. Since then, one question has come up again and again from our clients and close network: “Should I still invest in property without negative gearing?” And honestly, it’s understandable why. Between headlines a...

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What the 2026 Negative Gearing and CGT Changes Could Mean for Property Investors

On Tuesday night, 12 May 2026, the Federal Government proposed significant changes to property investment taxation in Australia. These changes still require legislation to be passed, but we anticipate this will occur, potentially with some minor tweaks. For now, we are working on the assumption that they will become law, and we will continue to...

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How Much More Will Mortgage Repayments Increase in Australia?

The Reserve Bank has now delivered three rate hikes in 2026, and for many Australians, the impact is starting to show. With interest rates, fuel costs and broader inflationary pressures continuing to shift, households are asking a very real question: How much more am I actually paying on my mortgage? As discussed in our latest RBA updat...

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(LIVE) RBA May 2026 | Why This May Not Be the Last Rate Hike

In its May meeting, the Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate by 0.25% to 4.35%, marking the third consecutive rate hike this year. Unlike March’s narrow 5–4 split, this latest decision was passed 8–1 in favour of the hike — a clear signal that the Board is increasingly concerned about inflation and may not be finished yet. Adding to the...

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How to Reduce Mortgage Repayments in Australia: 6 Practical Ways to Save

With interest rates and living costs rising, many households are asking the same question: How can I reduce my mortgage repayments without overcomplicating things? The good news is, there are practical ways to improve your cash flow — and some of them can be implemented straight away. In this guide, we bring together six practical str...

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ATO Holiday Home Tax Crackdown: What Property Investors Need to Know About Rental Property Deductions

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is tightening its approach to holiday home tax deductions, and the implications for property investors across Australia are significant. If you own a holiday home, Airbnb, or short-term rental property, understanding how these new ATO rules apply could mean the difference between claiming deductions and losing ...

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Should I Fix My Mortgage After a Rate Rise in Australia? What to Do Next.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has lifted the cash rate once again in their March 2026 Meeting, marking another shift in the interest rate cycle. While the headline increase of 0.25% (25 basis points) may seem small, the real impact depends on how your lender responds — and what you do next. Because not all lenders move in the same w...

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(LIVE) RBA Mar 2026 | Inflation Fears Win in Close Call Vote

Australia's economic story has taken a decisive turn in early 2026. In its March meeting, the Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate by 0.25% to 4.10%, marking the second consecutive hike this year — and one of the most closely contested decisions since board voting transparency was introduced. In a narrow five-to-four split, the Board determin...

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