Australia: Fiscal & Monetary Policy

The 2026-27 Federal Budget faces the challenge of balancing ambition with caution amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty. With rumoured reforms to capital gains tax discounts, trust taxation, and negative gearing on the table, businesses are seeking clarity on policy settings that could fundamentally reshape investment structures and tax planning strategies. Will the government pursue transformative reform or opt for measured adjustments to strengthen national resilience?

Australia's 2026-27 federal budget introduces sweeping immigration reforms that will reshape how skilled workers are selected, where temporary visa holders can buy property, and how quickly migrant tradespeople can enter the workforce. The changes mark the first overhaul of the skilled migration points test in over a decade and signal a strategic shift toward prioritizing onshore applicants already living in Australia. What do these policy adjustments mean for employers, migrants, and the broader trajectory

Recent EFA announcement does not change the risk landscape for major projects. Key takeaways discussed here.

While the Australian Federal Budget usually provides insights on the size and composition of the permanent migration program for the coming financial year, these planning levels were not released in this week's Budget announcements.

In the media, In practice and courts, Publication, Cases, and Legislation

A Heads of Agreement (HoA) is an effective tool to mitigate these risks.

The Australian Government's Federal Budget indicates policy spend for 2024/25 will focus on actions to reduce Net Overseas Migration (particularly international student migration) and reforms to the migration system to implement its Migration Strategy.

Key business tax measures announced in the 2025-26 Federal Budget.

Labor victory could have several implications for SMEs.