The Federal Budget 2026 is in and it includes changes that could directly affect your next property move. Whether you're buying your first home, growing an investment portfolio, or paying off an existing mortgage, there are things worth knowing. At Mortgage Achievers, we've pulled out what actually matters so you can skip the political noise and get straight to the detail.
The Key Announcements
Here's what landed in the Federal Budget 2026 that's relevant to property and home loans:
- Help to Buy expanded — The government's shared equity scheme (up to 40% of a new home's price, 30% for existing) now has higher income caps. More people qualify.
- FHSSS limits raised — You can now withdraw more from your super contributions toward a first home deposit.
- $2 billion for housing supply — Extra funding for social and affordable housing, targeting 30,000+ new homes over five years.
- Tax relief continues — Stage 3 tax cuts stay, plus energy bill relief. More money in your pocket each month.
- No changes to negative gearing or CGT — Investor tax settings left untouched.
- Infrastructure spending — Major funding for transport and services in outer Melbourne and South-East Queensland growth corridors.
- Build-to-rent incentives — New tax concessions for large-scale rental developments.
First Home Buyers: What's Changed
Three things worth knowing:
- Help to Buy reaches more people. Income caps have been lifted. If you checked before and didn't qualify, check again. The government takes an equity share in your home, so you need a smaller deposit and a smaller loan. You still own it. When you sell, you repay their share.
- You can pull more from super. The FHSSS withdrawal limit is higher. If you've been salary-sacrificing for a deposit, that fund just got bigger.
- Your borrowing position may have improved. Tax cuts and energy relief mean more disposable income and lenders factor that in when assessing how much you can borrow.
The key insight: These programs can be stacked. Help to Buy + FHSSS + state grants + stamp duty concessions + the right lender = a very different picture. A mortgage broker can help you work out the right combination.
Read more about First Home Buyer Loans here.
Property Investors: Stability and Opportunity
No changes to negative gearing or CGT. That's the headline. Your strategy stays intact.
Beyond that, two things to watch:
- Infrastructure corridors. Government spending on roads, rail, and services in outer Melbourne and SE Queensland often signals where demand moves next. Worth researching if you're planning a purchase.
- Build-to-rent incentives could increase rental supply in some markets over time, which may affect yields down the track.
The same borrowing improvements from tax relief apply to investors too. If it's been a while since you checked what you could borrow, the number may have shifted.
Read more about Investors | Mortgage Achievers Pty Ltd here.
Already Have a Mortgage? Read This
Even if you're not buying or selling, the budget matters for you.
Your borrowing capacity may have changed. More disposable income from tax cuts and lower energy costs improves your serviceability the calculation lenders use to decide how much you can borrow. That matters for refinancing, renovating, or accessing equity.
The rate outlook is supportive. The budget doesn't set rates (that's the RBA), but measured government spending supports the case for continued rate easing through late 2026.
If you haven't reviewed your loan in 12+ months, now is a strong time. Lender competition is fierce and there may be better options available than when you first signed.
Read more about Refinancing | Mortgage Achievers Pty Ltd here.
What Should You Do Now?
- First home buyers: Find out which schemes you qualify for and how they stack together with your loan options.
- Investors: Review your loan structure against current tax settings and borrowing conditions.
- Existing borrowers: Get your loan reviewed. You may be paying more than you need to.
Ready to Turn Budget News Into Action?
At Mortgage Achievers, we've spent over 30 years helping Australians navigate exactly these moments — turning policy changes into real outcomes for real people.
With offices in Melbourne and Brisbane, access to 30+ lenders, and a team with 80+ years of combined experience, we're here to make this straightforward.
- Book a consultation — We'll assess how the budget changes apply to you
- Get a borrowing capacity check — Find out where you actually stand
- Compare 30+ lenders — We'll match you with the right loan, not just any loan
Contact Mortgage Achievers today
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the 2026 Budget make it easier to buy a first home?
A: Yes. Help to Buy has expanded, FHSSS limits are higher, and cost-of-living relief could improve your borrowing position. A broker can help you combine these for your circumstances.
Q: Will the budget change interest rates?
A: Not directly — that's the RBA's call. But measured spending and cost-of-living relief support the case for continued rate easing through late 2026.
Q: Any bad news for property investors?
A: No. Negative gearing and CGT stayed the same. Infrastructure spending in growth corridors may actually create new opportunities.
Your Next Step
The 2026 Federal Budget created opportunities but they only work if you act on them. Whether you're buying your first home, investing, or reviewing your current loan, the smartest move is getting personalised advice for your situation.
At Mortgage Achievers, we've spent 30+ years helping Australians make the most of exactly these moments. Let's talk Contact Mortgage Achievers today