First Select Finance

𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀

Google Trends data shows searches for "mortgage broker" in Australia have reached an all-time high, surpassing even the peak recorded during the COVID lockdowns of 2020.

Searches for "mortgage stress" hit their highest point in May, while queries for "mortgage help" have exceeded levels seen during the 2008-09 Global Financial Crisis.

The surge comes as some homeowners feel financial pressure. Three rate hikes since the start of 2026 have reversed all of last year’s rate relief, pushing the cash rate back to 4.35 per cent. According to Canstar, those increases have added $272 per month to repayments on a $600,000 loan with 25 years remaining.

Roy Morgan research from March found 26.8 per cent of mortgage holders, around 1.45 million Australians, are now at risk of mortgage stress. That figure could climb further if rates rise again at upcoming RBA meetings.

If you're feeling stressed from your mortgage, a Mortgage Broker can review your current loan and help you compare your options across a range of lenders.

𝟱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗱𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿

For first home buyers who are actively saving, planning or on the verge of applying for finance to buy a home, the period between now and 30 June can be incredibly helpful.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗸𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻.

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱

The First Home Guarantee allows eligible buyers to purchase with a 5 per cent deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Places are allocated each financial year, and while the scheme has been expanded, it is worth confirming your eligibility and understanding whether any thresholds or conditions are changing from 1 July.

First home buyer stamp duty concessions also vary by state and are subject to change. Checking what is currently available in your state before the financial year turns over ensures you are not relying on outdated information when it matters most.

𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁

For many first home buyers, a tax refund is one of the more meaningful lump sums they receive during the year. Rather than treating it as discretionary income, putting it straight into your deposit savings account can give your progress a genuine boost.

If you lodge your tax return promptly after 1 July, refunds are typically processed within two weeks. Planning for that money before it arrives makes it easier to direct it toward your goal rather than absorbing it into everyday spending.

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁

EOFY is a good time to assess whether your savings strategy is still on track. Are you hitting your monthly savings target? Is your deposit sitting in an account earning a competitive interest rate? With rates having moved considerably over the past two years, the gap between a strong and a mediocre savings account can be meaningful over time.

If you have not reviewed your savings account in the past six months, it is worth comparing what else is available. Moving to a higher-rate account is straightforward and costs nothing.

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿

Your credit report is one of the first things lenders check. Requesting a free copy before the new financial year lets you spot and fix issues early, and understand how lenders will view your application.

Common problems include outdated defaults, incorrect listings, or forgotten credit enquiries. It’s much easier to resolve these before applying than to explain them during assessment.

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿

If you’re buying in the next 6–12 months, review your finances before 1 July. A broker can help you compare loan options.

𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝗗𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀

From 1 July 2026, first home buyers in the ACT will pay zero stamp duty, regardless of property price or income. The reform, confirmed in the 2026-27 ACT Budget, makes Canberra the first Australian jurisdiction to remove the tax entirely for first-time purchasers.

The financial impact is significant. On a $1 million property, stamp duty currently adds around $32,300 to upfront costs. On a $595,000 unit or townhouse, that figure is approximately $16,800. From July, both amounts drop to zero for eligible buyers.

The relief also extends beyond traditional first home buyers. Pensioners, eligible NDIS participants, and people who have not owned property in the past five years are all included, broadening access considerably.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗙𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆?

The 2026 Federal Budget proposed the most significant changes to residential property tax settings in a generation.

The key negative gearing and capital gains tax changes are not yet law. The government introduced the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 to Parliament on 28 May, and it has been referred to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee, expected to report by the end of June.

A Senate voting window is anticipated between 22 June and 2 July before Parliament rises for winter. Until the legislation passes, the final form of these measures may still change.

With that context in mind, here is what is known.

𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲

If passed, from 1 July 2027, negative gearing for residential property will be limited to newly built homes. Investors buying established properties after 12 May 2026 will no longer be able to offset rental losses against other income, although losses can be carried forward. Existing investment properties are grandfathered, allowing current owners to keep existing negative gearing benefits. The change aims to encourage investment in new housing supply.

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱

From 1 July 2027, the 50% CGT discount is proposed to be replaced with inflation-adjusted indexation and a minimum 30% tax rate. Existing capital gains accrued before that date will keep the current 50% discount. The main residence CGT exemption and superannuation tax rules remain unchanged. Investors in new builds may choose whichever method provides the better tax outcome.

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲

The expanded 5% Deposit Guarantee Scheme remains in place, allowing eligible buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit and avoid LMI. The ban on foreign investors buying existing homes has been extended to 30 June 2029, while new builds remain open to foreign investment. Proposed tax changes are not yet law and may change, so professional financial advice should be sought before making investment decisions.

𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗢𝗙𝗬

As 30 June approaches, small businesses are looking to use the instant asset write-off for assets under $20,000. However, EOFY pressure can lead to rushed purchases, so planning and necessity are important.

Before you commit to an equipment purchase this EOFY, here are some questions worth asking.

𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄?

Tax deductions don’t reduce the actual cost, so EOFY purchases should be based on genuine need and productivity, not just tax benefits.

𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗼𝗳𝗳?

Small businesses under $10M turnover can instantly deduct assets under $20,000 each until 30 June 2026, after which the threshold may drop to $1,000 unless extended.

𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝟯𝟬 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲?

Assets must be installed and ready for use by 30 June 2026, not just ordered or paid for, so allow time for delivery and setup.

𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲?

Upfront payments can strain cash flow. Equipment finance spreads costs and may offer tax benefits, depending on the structure.

A finance broker can help compare equipment finance options and meet the 30 June deadline.

𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲

Strong sales are a positive sign for any business, but growth can create cash flow pressure. Many businesses appear profitable on paper yet still struggle with available cash when needed. This is a common issue for growing businesses, often caused by avoidable cash flow mistakes.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄

Profit isn’t the same as cash flow—businesses can be profitable but short on cash due to timing issues like unpaid invoices or upfront costs. A rolling cash flow forecast helps track real available cash.

𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘁

Long payment terms can lead to delays and cash flow pressure, so clear invoicing, follow-ups, and managing payment terms are important, with invoice finance as an option.

𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲

Using cash for growth can leave a business short on working capital, but equipment finance helps preserve cash flow by spreading costs.

𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Waiting until finance is urgent can hurt approval and terms. Planning ahead with options like a line of credit helps manage cash flow and support growth.

A finance broker can help compare loan options.

𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗛𝘂𝗯𝘀 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘀

Neighbourhood and convenience centres are shifting from weekly shopping destinations to daily convenience hubs, driven by changing consumer behaviour. This shift is strengthening their role as community-focused “daily infrastructure” and improving their appeal to investors.

They have delivered solid performance, with 2025 total returns of 8.5% and capital growth of 2.7%, and retail becoming the most traded commercial asset class. Structural under-supply and tight vacancies are also supporting the sector.

Unlike larger retail formats, neighbourhood centers have shown resilience through downturns like the GFC and pandemic, offering more stable income. Rising interest rates and high fuel costs are also expected to boost local, needs-based spending.

Centers that encourage longer visits through good design, food, and community spaces are seeing stronger tenant turnover and performance, with non-retail uses like services and fitness also helping maintain foot traffic.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗢𝗙𝗬 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

The end of the financial year is one of the busiest periods for equipment finance. Here’s why, and what to keep in mind before you act.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗼𝗳𝗳 - Eligible small businesses can claim an immediate deduction for assets under $20,000 installed before 30 June. This threshold is scheduled to drop to $1,000 from 1 July.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 - Financing equipment rather than paying outright keeps cash available for day-to-day operations heading into the new financial year.

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗢𝗙𝗬 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 - Many suppliers offer discounted pricing or bundled extras at this time of year. Just don’t let a promotion rush a decision that needs longer consideration.

𝗛𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 - Having equipment installed and operational before 30 June means it’s ready to contribute from day one of the new financial year.

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 - Lender volumes surge in June. Applications submitted in the final weeks risk not settling before the deadline.

A Finance Broker can help you compare your options and help you meet the 30 June deadline.

𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Australian farmland prices are expected to rise modestly in 2026, with a forecast 2% increase in median price per hectare, according to Rabobank. This reflects a shift to slower, more sustained growth after just 0.4% growth in 2025 and a decade-long average of around 11%.

The outlook is being shaped by mixed commodity prices, high input costs (including fertiliser and fuel increases linked to the Iran war), and the impact of interest rates. While rate cuts in 2025 helped stabilise land values, higher costs and weaker margins are expected to limit growth going forward.

Performance varies by land type and region: grazing land rose 3% in 2025, while arable land fell 1%. Strong livestock returns supported grazing land, while cropping margins weakened. Regionally, NSW and South Australia saw strong gains in grazing land but mixed results in cropping land.

Overall, farmland is entering a slower growth cycle, with modest price increases expected through 2026–2031 amid ongoing cost pressures and tighter farm budgets.

𝟰 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗢𝗙𝗬

With 30 June approaching, many businesses are looking to secure finance before the end of the financial year. Getting your documents in order before you apply can speed up the process and improve your chances of approval.

𝗨𝗽-𝘁𝗼-𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 - Most lenders will want to see your last two years of tax returns and financials. Make sure these are lodged and readily available.

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 - Lenders will assess your cash flow and trading history, typically over the last three to six months. Clean, consistent statements make a strong case.

𝗔 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 - Knowing exactly what the loan is for, equipment, working capital, stock, helps lenders assess the right product and structure for your needs.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗧𝗢 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 - Outstanding tax debts or overdue BAS lodgements can complicate or delay an application. Addressing these before you apply puts you in a stronger position.

A Finance Broker can help you compare your options across a range of business lending products and guide you through the application process before the EOFY deadline.