Posts
How Long Does FIRB Approval Take in Australia? (2026 Processing Times)
FIRB approval in Australia typically takes 30 days, but delays are common. Here is what affects processing time, what the application involves, and how to avoid the mistakes that slow things down.
9 May 2026
Bankwest drops refinance buffer to 1%: who qualifies and what it means
Bankwest is now assessing eligible refinancers with a 1% serviceability buffer instead of the standard 3%. Here is who qualifies, what is excluded, and why it matters for borrowers trapped by the buffer.
3 May 2026
RBA Third Straight Rate Hike May 2026: What It Means for Your Mortgage
The RBA is expected to deliver its third consecutive cash rate rise this week. Here's what borrowers need to know about repayment impacts, fixed vs variable trade-offs, and how to position your home loan.
3 May 2026
Stamp Duty in Australia: Complete State-by-State Guide for Migrants (2026)
Stamp duty is one of the biggest upfront costs when buying property in Australia. This guide covers standard stamp duty rates, first home buyer concessions, and the foreign buyer surcharge for migrants and visa holders — state by state.
3 May 2026
LVR Explained: How Your Deposit Size Shapes Your Home Loan Rate in 2026
Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) determines your deposit requirements, interest rate, and LMI costs. A 2026 breakdown of how deposit size affects loan pricing across the big four, with rate tiers from 60% to 95% LVR.
2 May 2026
Negative Gearing in 2026: How Property Investors Claim Tax Deductions
Negative gearing explained for Australian property investors in 2026. How rental losses offset taxable income, which deductions count, ATO compliance rules, and what the 2026-27 tax landscape looks like.
30 April 2026
Long-Haul Flight Booking from Australia: Trip.com vs Traveloka AU vs Etihad Direct — A 24-Month Field Test
Based on 24 months of real-world booking from Sydney, I break down the optimal use cases for Trip.com, Traveloka Australia, and Etihad direct booking across Australia-China, Southeast Asia, and Europe-via-Abu Dhabi routes.
29 April 2026
Best Mobile Plans for Newly-Arrived Migrants in Australia: Boost vs Optus vs Telstra Prepaid (2026)
First 48 hours in Australia, you need a working SIM — for ID verification, banking 2FA, and the ride-share app from the airport. A Sydney broker's practical take on Boost Mobile, Optus prepaid, Telstra prepaid and where each fits.
29 April 2026
Best Mobile Plans for Newly-Arrived Migrants in Australia: Boost vs Optus vs Telstra Prepaid (2026)
First 48 hours in Australia, you need a working SIM — for ID verification, banking 2FA, and the ride-share app from the airport. A Sydney broker's practical take on Boost Mobile, Optus prepaid, Telstra prepaid and where each fits.
29 April 2026
Self-employed home buyers in 2026 — how Australian lenders read low-doc files
Self-employed borrowers face stricter serviceability tests and longer approval timelines. We decode how lenders assess low-doc and no-doc loans, and what it takes to get approved in 2026.
28 April 2026