Investors · Owner-Occupiers · First Home Buyers · Downsizers
Apartments Australia Wide
Anyone can buy a property. We help identify property worthy of your investment dollars.
New and off-the-plan apartments in well-connected locations: a lower entry price, typically a 10% deposit with the balance on completion, and stamp duty savings in several states.
Image: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (converted to black and white)
Why now
Why Apartments Are Back on the Radar
Higher rates and tighter lending have reduced what many buyers can borrow. That is pushing demand toward lower price points, and apartments are where budget and location meet.
Borrowing capacity
The cash rate has risen four times in 2026 to 4.60%, and APRA has limited loans of six times income or more since February. Less borrowing power means more buyers look at apartments.
Affordability
Hotspotting’s Terry Ryder says affordability is now a primary driver, with units and townhouses seeing price growth matching or exceeding houses in several cities.
Location
For the same budget, an apartment can put you close to jobs, transport, universities, hospitals and lifestyle precincts that a house never could.
Who it suits
Who Buys Apartments
Apartments suit different buyers for different reasons. Strategy comes first.
For
Investors
A lower entry price, strong tenant demand close to jobs and transport, and higher depreciation on a brand-new building.
For
First home buyers
A realistic first step into the market, with grants and stamp duty relief that often favour new and off-the-plan homes.
For
Downsizers & owner-occupiers
Lock-up-and-leave living, lifts, security and low maintenance, often near family, services and the things you enjoy.
Your choice
Choose the Apartment That Fits
Size, layout and position all affect price, rent and resale. These are the choices that matter most.
Bedrooms
One bedroom for the lowest entry price, two bedrooms for the broadest tenant and resale market, three bedrooms for families and downsizers.
Bathrooms
Two bathrooms in a two-bedroom apartment appeal to sharers and couples and usually lift rent and resale.
Car parking & storage
A car space and storage cage matter in most markets outside the CBD. Check they’re on title.
Outlook & aspect
Natural light, north-facing living and an outlook that can’t be built out add value for years.
Boutique or tower
Smaller boutique buildings often attract more owner-occupiers. Large towers can bring more competing stock.
New or off the plan
Buy completed and lease straight away, or buy off the plan and settle when it’s finished.
10% deposit, balance on completion
Secure Today’s Price, Settle on Completion
Buying new or off the plan typically means a 10% deposit when you sign and the balance when the building is finished.
Sign & pay the deposit
Typically a 10% deposit, sometimes 5%, held in trust. Some buyers use a deposit bond instead of cash.
Construction
Usually 18 months to three years for an apartment building. No loan repayments on the balance while it’s being built, giving you time to save and grow your income.
Settle on completion
The balance is paid at completion, when your finance is approved against the finished property.
Finance is assessed at settlement, not when you sign. With the cash rate at 4.60% and APRA limiting high debt-to-income lending since 1 February 2026, get pre-approval advice early and keep a buffer. Read: APRA lending changes 2026 and your borrowing capacity
Stamp duty
Stamp Duty Savings on New & Off-the-Plan Apartments
Depending on where you buy and who you are, buying new or off the plan can cut stamp duty significantly or remove it altogether.
| State | Off-the-plan & new build stamp duty savings | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | Temporary off-the-plan concession for apartments, units and townhouses in strata developments: duty is reduced by the construction yet to be completed. Open to investors as well as owner-occupiers, no value cap, for contracts signed from 21 October 2024 and before 21 April 2027. | All buyers |
| Western Australia | Off-the-plan concession for apartments, townhouses, units and villas in strata schemes: 100% up to $800,000 for pre-construction contracts, phasing to 50% at $900,000 (capped at $50,000). Extended to 30 June 2028. | All buyers |
| Queensland | First home buyers pay no transfer duty on a new home or off-the-plan purchase, with no value cap. | First home buyers |
| South Australia | First home buyers pay no stamp duty on new homes and off-the-plan apartments. Eligible downsizers aged 60+ also receive relief on new homes. | First home buyers & downsizers |
| New South Wales | Owner-occupiers can defer duty on off-the-plan purchases for up to 15 months. First home buyers pay no duty up to $800,000. | Owner-occupiers & first home buyers |
| ACT | Owner-occupiers buying off-the-plan or new unit-titled homes pay no duty, with no value cap from 1 July 2026. | Owner-occupiers |
Victoria’s temporary concession is one of the most generous in the country for investors buying apartments. Victorian buyers can also read our guide to stamp duty in Victoria. Tasmania and the Northern Territory currently have no dedicated off-the-plan concession. Rules, eligibility and dates change: always confirm with your conveyancer or state revenue office before you sign.
Why new
The Advantages of Buying New
New apartments come with advantages that older stock simply can’t match.
Higher depreciation
Capital works deductions of 2.5% a year for 40 years plus full plant and equipment deductions, which are restricted on second-hand residential property bought since 9 May 2017.
Negative gearing retained
From 1 July 2027, losses on established property bought after 12 May 2026 are quarantined. New builds keep access to negative gearing.
Energy efficiency
New apartments must meet the 7-star NatHERS standard on average under the National Construction Code 2022, keeping running costs down for tenants and owners.
Builder warranties
Statutory warranties cover defective work for years after completion, and some states add further protections for new strata buildings.
Lower maintenance
New lifts, roofs, plumbing and appliances mean fewer special levies and repair bills in the early years.
Tenant appeal
Tenants will pay for modern, efficient, secure living. In our experience a new apartment leases faster and for more than tired stock nearby.
The ten-year rule
A home built today will be ten years old in a decade. The one next door, built ten years ago, will then be twenty.
That age gap never closes. It shows up in maintenance bills, energy costs, depreciation and the rent a tenant is willing to pay.
What to watch
Not Every Apartment Is Investment Grade
Apartments reward careful selection more than almost any other property type. These are the questions we ask first.
- Supply in the precinct. Large pipelines of similar stock can hold back rents and prices for years.
- Owner-occupier ratio. Buildings dominated by investors tend to underperform. Look for strong owner-occupier appeal.
- Developer and builder. Track record, financial strength and defects history matter more than the brochure.
- Valuation at settlement. Banks value the finished apartment. If it values below the contract price, you fund the gap.
- Body corporate fees. Lifts, pools and concierge add to fees. Check the budget and sinking fund.
- Sunset clauses. Understand when the developer can cancel and what happens to your deposit.
- Size and layout. Very small apartments and poor floor plans are harder to lease, finance and resell.
- Your finance at completion. Borrowing rules can change between signing and settlement. Keep a buffer.
Read: Melbourne apartment market warning: negative growth and oversupply · How to identify an investment-grade property
Where we can help
Apartments Across Australia
We research selected markets across the country. Start with the state or region that fits your strategy.
Read more
Questions
Apartment FAQs
How much deposit do I need for an off-the-plan apartment?
Typically 10% of the purchase price when you sign, with the balance paid at settlement once the building is complete. Some developers accept 5%, and some buyers use a deposit bond instead of cash.
Are apartments a good investment in 2026?
The right ones can be. Affordability pressures are pushing demand toward apartments and units, but performance varies widely between buildings. Supply, owner-occupier appeal, layout and the developer all matter.
Do I pay stamp duty on an off-the-plan apartment?
It depends on the state. Victoria and Western Australia currently offer off-the-plan concessions that investors can access, while Queensland, South Australia, NSW and the ACT offer savings mainly for first home buyers or owner-occupiers.
What happens if the apartment values below the price I paid?
Your lender lends against the valuation at settlement, so you would need to fund any shortfall. Buying in the right building at the right price reduces this risk.
How long does it take to build an apartment?
Most apartment projects take between 18 months and three years from sales launch to completion, depending on size and construction start.
Can I buy an apartment in my SMSF?
Since 10 August 2026, new SMSF borrowing for residential property isn’t permitted. An SMSF can still buy with cash. Speak with a specialist SMSF adviser first.
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Anyone can buy a property
We Help Identify Property Worthy of Your Investment Dollars
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General information only. properT network does not provide personal financial, legal, tax or lending advice. Stamp duty, grants, lending and tax rules vary by state and change over time. Property investment carries risk, including the risk of loss. Seek independent professional advice before making any decision.
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