Queensland’s big housing move: Spare rooms, stamp duty, and fresh starts

Contributor Article

Rosie Wang

Guest Columnist

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Cheapest residential two-bedroom apartments start in Port Douglas at around $300,000 at the Oaks Resort (pictured), Plantation Resort and Sands Resort. Picture: Property Shop Port Douglas

Queensland is shaking things up with a bold new plan to tackle the housing affordability crunch. 

The government has rolled out the Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill 2024, and it’s got something for everyone— helping first-time buyers and struggling renters.  

Here’s the headliner: homeowners who snag a place and want to rent out a room during their first year won’t have to worry about losing those juicy grants or concessions. Yup, you heard right! 

Thanks to a clever suggestion from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ), homeowners can now pocket some extra cash and help ease the rental shortage.

“We couldn’t be happier!” cheered an REIQ spokesperson. “This move hits two big targets: helping homeowners with their mortgages and giving renters more options in a tight market.”

But wait, there’s more! Starting January 1, 2025, the government will officially ditch stamp duty on new builds and vacant land for eligible first-home buyers. 

That’s right — bye-bye stamp duty, hello dream home! 

This change aims to knock down one of the biggest barriers to homeownership, making it easier for Queenslanders to finally get those keys in hand.

It’s a smart move for a state where first-home buyers are often priced out, and renters are struggling to find affordable options. 

By thinking outside the box (and inside spare rooms), Queensland’s government is showing how bold, creative policies can deliver real solutions

With these fresh policies, Queensland is setting the bar high for other states. Will this be the start of a housing revolution across Australia? 

Stay tuned, because this could be the shake-up the market desperately needs.

Cheapest residential two-bedroom apartments start in Port Douglas at around $300,000 (Oaks Resort, Plantation Resort and Sands Resort).

 

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