Real Estate Law and Construction Law

The Supreme Court of NSW has provided useful guidance on when a property owner will be considered a 'developer' under s 3A of the Home Building act 1989 (NSW).

Australia's new Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 have fundamentally altered skilled visa processing priorities, placing construction sector nominations in the top tier regardless of whether candidates are onshore or offshore. This strategic shift eliminates the location-based disadvantage that previously delayed offshore construction workers, creating new opportunities for employers who understand how to leverage sector-first processing.

Third-Party Proceedings in Queensland allow defendants to bring additional parties into existing litigation when those parties may owe contribution or indemnity, or when connected issues need to be resolved together. The procedure is governed by the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld) and requires careful attention to timing, pleading requirements, and the substantive basis for joining the third party. Understanding when and how to properly initiate these proceedings can determine whether a defendant s

From October 2026, all new and returning strata committee members in New South Wales will be required to complete mandatory online training within three months of their appointment...

Bankruptcy trustees play a crucial statutory role in managing insolvency cases, but their function extends beyond enforcement to collaborative assistance. Through a detailed case study, this article examines how an individual's reluctance to cooperate with trustees transformed a manageable $44,800 debt into a protracted three-year bankruptcy that ultimately cost him everything, including opportunities for annulment.

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.

Manufactured home estates can offer an affordable pathway to home ownership, but they operate differently to a traditional property purchase. Understanding the unique ownership structure, ongoing site fees, and legal obligations is essential before committing to a purchase in a land-lease community.

Selling property with tenants in place requires careful navigation of vacant possession requirements, termination notice periods, and GST implications. Understanding the legal framework for residential and commercial tenancies, including minimum notice periods under NSW legislation and lease registration requirements, DUPE

On 30 June 2026 the Supreme Court of New South Wales handed down its judgment in Forever Grateful Holdings Pty Ltd v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue [2026] NSWSC 761, which clarified the point in time at which the relevant facts are to be considered when determining a duty liability arising under the Duties Act 1997 (NSW) (Duties Act).

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke yesterday announced migration reforms that will expand skilled visa priority processing to the agriculture, resources, and fisheries sectors. The minister also indicated that the construction and teaching sectors will be added for priority processing. Eligible onshore skilled visa applicants in construction and teaching already receive high-priority processing under Ministerial Direction 119, behind defence and law enforcement.

Bringing the next generation into a family farming business requires careful planning and open communication. Before a son or daughter returns to work on the farm, families must address critical questions about roles, decision-making authority, ownership pathways, succession planning, and conflict resolution to protect both the business and family relationships.

Government agencies routinely acquire land with easements, but who bears responsibility for maintaining the infrastructure? This bulletin examines the often-overlooked question of repair and maintenance obligations for easement-related infrastructure, exploring both express contractual terms and common law principles. Understanding these hidden liabilities is crucial for government land management and acquisition due diligence.