First Homeowner Rate of Duty and Off-the-Plan Duty Concession

Blog & Articles, Tang Law , ,

On 24 March 2025, the State Government announced changes to the value of vacant land and home eligible for the first home owners concessional rate of duty. Changes to extend and expand the off-the-plan duty concession were also announced. These changes apply to transactions entered into from 21 March 2025.

First home owner rates of duty

Effective from 21 March 2025, the following increased transfer duty exemptions and concessions for first home buyers will apply:

    • for house purchases in Perth and Peel only, the transfer duty exemption threshold will increase from $450,000 to $500,000 and the concession threshold will increase from $600,000 to $700,000;
    • for house purchases in regions outside Perth and Peel, the transfer duty exemption threshold will increase from $450,000 to $500,000 and the concession threshold will increase from $600,000 to $750,000; and
    • for vacant land purchases Statewide, the transfer duty exemption threshold will increase from $300,000 to $350,000 and the stamp duty concession threshold will increase from $400,000 to $450,000.

Off-the-plan concession

The announced changes to the off-the-plan duty concession will:

    • extend the last date for the concession until 30 June 2026 (previously due to expire on 30 June 2025).
    • increase the thresholds for pre-construction contracts so that:
      • no duty is payable on properties valued up to $750,000 (previously $650,000)
      • the 100% duty concession reduces to 50% for properties valued between $750,000 and $850,000 (previously $650,000 and $750,000)
      • a 50% duty concession applies to properties valued over $850,000 (previously $750,000).
    • increase the thresholds for under construction contracts so that:
      • a 75% duty concession applies to properties valued up to $750,000 (previously $650,000)
      • the 75% duty concession reduces to 37.5% for properties valued between $750,000 and $850,000 (previously $650,000 and $750,000)
      • a 37.5% duty concession applies to properties valued over $850,000 (previously $750,000).
    • expand the concession to off-the-plan purchases of all strata scheme or community title (building) scheme  dwellings including townhouses and villas, not just multi-tiered schemes.  This does not apply to the construction of a dwelling on a survey-strata plan. Strata scheme has the meaning given in section 9 of the Strata Titles Act 1985 and community titles (building) scheme has the meaning given in section 11(7) of the Community Titles Act 2018.

If you would like to find out more or discuss your individual requirements, please contact our property and settlements team.

TWO YEAR BAN ON FOREIGN PERSONS BUYING ESTABLISHED HOMES FROM 1 APRIL 2025

Blog & Articles, Tang Law , , ,

On 16 February the Australian Government announced that from 1 April 2025, a ban will be in place for an initial period of 2 years (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2027), preventing foreign persons from applying to buy established dwellings in Australia, unless an exception applies.

The limited exceptions will include investments that significantly increase housing supply or support the availability of housing supply, and for the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.

Other existing exceptions remain in place, such as for purchases by:

    • permanent residents
    • New Zealand citizens
    • spouses of Australian citizens, permanent residents or New Zealand citizens (when purchased as joint tenants).

A review will be undertaken to determine if the ban should be extended beyond 31 March 2027.

The Government also announced that it would increase funding to the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) foreign investment compliance team to enforce the ban and enhance screening of foreign investment proposals relating to residential property.

Further to the ban on preventing foreign persons from apply to buy established dwellings in Australia, the Government announced that it would crack down on land banking by foreign investors. The Government intends to do this by targeting foreign investors who have already received approval to acquire established dwellings but have not taken steps to comply with the development conditions imposed as part of their FIRB approval.

Australian citizens seeking to buy and hold property for foreign persons should reconsider these types of arrangements as they are inherently risky.

Most states and territories in Australia require now require buyers to make declarations about whether they are buying the land for their own purposes or on trust for another person.

A buyer who makes a false declaration and does not disclose they are acquiring and holding a property on trust for a foreign person may commit an offence.

If you would like to find out more or discuss your individual requirements about buying land in Australia, please contact our property and settlements team.

Tang Law Proudly Sponsors the WA Pianist Competition 2025

Blog & Articles, Community, News, Tang Law

At Tang Law, we are proud to announce our sponsorship of the WA Pianist Competition (WAPC) 2025, an event dedicated to celebrating musical excellence and supporting talented pianists in Western Australia. As part of our commitment to the community, we are sponsoring the Opening Championship section’s 1st prize, helping to recognize and reward outstanding musical talent.

Why We Support WAPC

Music, like the law, requires dedication, discipline, and passion. At Tang Law, we believe in fostering talent—not just in the legal profession but in the arts and beyond. Supporting events like the WA Pianist Competition allows us to give back to the community and encourage young musicians to pursue their dreams.

The WAPC provides a platform for pianists of all levels to showcase their skills, gain valuable performance experience, and connect with a wider musical community. We are honoured to be part of this incredible event, which not only highlights artistic talent but also fosters a culture of excellence and perseverance.

About the WA Pianist Competition

The WA Pianist Competition (WAPC) is one of Western Australia’s most prestigious piano competitions, attracting talented musicians from across the state. It aims to inspire and nurture the next generation of pianists by providing performance opportunities, professional feedback, and recognition for their hard work and dedication.

📌 Learn more about the competition at wapianistcompetition.org.

Our Commitment to the Community

As a law firm, our mission extends beyond providing expert legal services—we are deeply invested in supporting the people and communities around us. Whether it’s through legal advocacy, educational initiatives, or cultural sponsorships like WAPC, we strive to make a positive impact in meaningful ways.

We look forward to seeing the incredible performances at this year’s competition and celebrating the achievements of these talented pianists. Best of luck to all participants!

Understanding the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC) Changes for 2025

Blog & Articles, News

What Employers Need to Know About SGC Compliance

Superannuation compliance remains a key priority for businesses in 2025, with stricter regulations and increased penalties for late payments. Employers must stay up to date with their Superannuation Guarantee (SG) obligations to avoid unnecessary costs and legal consequences.

What Is the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC)?

The Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC) is a penalty imposed on employers who fail to pay their employees’ superannuation contributions on time. Unlike regular SG payments, which are tax-deductible, the SGC includes:

  • The unpaid super amount,
  • Interest on the overdue payments, and
  • An administration fee per employee.

Late payments cannot be offset against future contributions, meaning employers must lodge an SGC statement with the ATO and pay additional charges.

Key SGC Updates for 2025

🔹 Stricter Payment Deadlines – Employers must meet SG deadlines to avoid being subject to the SGC. The ATO has reinforced its stance on late payments, meaning compliance is more critical than ever.

🔹 Increased ATO Monitoring – The ATO is ramping up its efforts to track late super payments and enforce penalties. Employers should expect greater scrutiny and enforcement actions.

🔹 Financial Implications – Late super payments result in additional costs due to interest charges, administrative fees, and lost tax deductions. This can significantly impact a business’s financial health.

How to Stay Compliant

✅ Pay Super Contributions on Time – Ensure payments are made at least quarterly by the due dates. Using automated payroll systems can help avoid missed deadlines.
✅ Review Payment Processes – Regularly audit your SG payments to ensure they align with ATO requirements.
✅ Seek Professional Guidance – If you’re unsure about your obligations or facing difficulties in making payments, consulting a legal or financial expert can help.

Avoid Penalties – Stay Ahead of Compliance!

With increased enforcement of Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rules, it’s more important than ever for businesses to ensure timely payments. Failing to comply can result in significant financial penalties and administrative burdens.

If you need guidance on SGC compliance and employer obligations, our team is here to assist. Contact us today to ensure your business remains compliant and avoids unnecessary costs.

Introducing the new Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa

Blog & Articles, Migration Law

As part of the Australian Government’s Migration Strategy, the Department of Home Affairs established the new Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa on 7 December 2024, replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. This new visa offers clear pathways to permanent residency via the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa.

The SID visa is a temporary employer-sponsored visa that permits visa holders to stay in Australia for up to four years.

Notable changes in the SID visa include:

    1. Adjusted work experience requirements—the requirement has been reduced from two years to one year of relevant full-time (or equivalent part-time or casual) work experience within the last five years.
    2. Permanent residency pathway—All full-time sponsored work experience gained in Australia while on a SID or TSS visa will be considered for a Subclass 186 visa application in the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream.
    3. Updated occupation list: A Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) has been established to provide a consolidated and up-to-date list of occupations that are currently in demand in Australia. This new list replaces the previous three occupation lists used for the TSS visa and the Subclass 186 visa in the Direct Entry stream.

The SID visa comprises three main streams:

    1. Core Skills stream;
    2. Specialist Skills stream; and
    3. Labour Agreement stream.

Core Skills stream 

To qualify under this stream, an applicant must:

    1. Have an occupation listed on the CSOL;
    2. Be offered a salary that meets or exceeds the new Core Skills Income Threshold of AUD 73,150;
    3. Possess a minimum of one year of relevant work experience in an occupation on the CSOL list; and
    4. Obtain the prescribed English language test scores.

Specialist Skills Stream

To qualify under this stream, applicants must:

    1. Be offered an annual salary of AUD 135,000 or more;
    2. Be employed in a profession categorised under ANZSCO Major groups 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. This does not include trades, machinery operations, drivers or labourers (which fall within ANZSCO Major Groups 3, 7, and 8).
    3. Meet the necessary English language requirements.

According to the Department of Home Affairs website, the estimated processing time for this stream is around 7 days.

Labour Agreement Stream

This stream is intended for applicants whose occupations are not included in the CSOL and who do not satisfy the income criteria for the Specialist Skills Stream.

If you would like to discuss your eligibility for the SID visa or any other visa, please do not hesitate to contact us to arrange an initial consultation with one of our experienced migration lawyers.

 

 

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