TE in HK - Stauntons Event. BNE joins the $1M Club, Division 296 Tax Implications - Do Not Pay More Tax than You Need To!
🎉 It’s BACK!
Due to popular demand, THE EXPATRIATE in Hong Kong is returning to Stauntons!
📍 Staunton’s Bar, SoHo – Hong Kong
📅 Wednesday, 20 August 2025
🕕 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Join us for a relaxed and informative evening where we’ll unpack the current financial landscape — from exchange rates and interest rates to the Australian property market and ever-changing lender rules.
Whether you're:
Looking to buy back home 🏡
Thinking about refinancing 🔁
Or want to make smarter financial moves while living abroad 💡
This event is for you.
Expect expert insights, honest conversations, and great company — all in the iconic and vibrant setting of Staunton’s Bar in SoHo.
🪑 Spaces are limited — RSVP now by scanning the QR code!
🏡 Brisbane Joins the Million-Dollar Club
What It Means for Aussie Expats
Big news for Australian property watchers: Brisbane has officially overtaken Melbourne and Canberra to become Australia’s second-most expensive capital city housing market, with median house values reaching $1,011,000 in June 2025.
Since the beginning of the COVID housing boom in 2020, Brisbane house values have soared by 76%, fuelled by:
📈 A 9.2% population growth (235,000 new residents) between June 2020 and 2024
🏗️ A housing supply shortfall, with only 88,000 new dwellings built to meet demand from 94,000 new households
🚛 A spike in interstate migration — particularly from southern states — drawn by affordability, lifestyle, and job prospects
Brisbane’s median house price now sits:
🔹 $63,000 higher than Melbourne
🔹 $30,000 more than Canberra
🔹 But still $549,000 below Sydney
💡 For expats, this presents a unique window of opportunity.
Although prices remain strong, growth is starting to moderate, with quarterly increases now at 1.9% — down from 3.5% a year ago and 10.2% at the market’s 2021 peak.
👉 What this could mean for you:
With conditions beginning to rebalance, it could be a smart time to leverage equity, re-enter the market, or start your property journey while living abroad — especially in a city that continues to show strong long-term fundamentals.
🎯 Why This Matters
With the Brisbane 2032 Olympics on the horizon, the spotlight is firmly on South East Queensland. Infrastructure investment, international attention, and population growth are all expected to accelerate — and with that, property demand is likely to heat up even more.
We anticipate the market in SEQ will continue to strengthen in the lead-up to 2032, offering strong potential for long-term capital growth.
For Aussie expats, this is a chance to get in early and secure property before the next major upswing. Whether it’s a home for the future or a high-performing investment, Brisbane is no longer the "affordable alternative" to Sydney. — It’s quickly becoming a national property powerhouse.
Division 296 Tax Implications - Do Not Pay More Tax than You Need To!
Division 296 represents a major shift in the way superannuation is taxed in Australia — and it’s poised to impact millions of Australians, particularly those with high super balances.
Under this proposed legislation, an additional 15% tax will apply to earnings attributed to super balances exceeding a set threshold. While the finer details are still being debated, one thing is clear: the super landscape is changing.
🔍 Why it matters:
This extra layer of tax could significantly affect retirement strategies, wealth planning, and tax obligations for higher-income earners and those with well-established superannuation portfolios.
🧭 What should you do?
If you’re likely to be affected, proactive financial planning is key. Understanding how Division 296 may impact your super — and working with the right professionals — will be essential to:
Minimise unnecessary tax
Optimise your retirement savings
Make informed decisions for your financial future
💡 Knowledge is power. A thorough understanding of Division 296 will help you stay ahead of the curve and protect your wealth in a changing environment.
To learn more and to read the full blog, click on the link.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Adviser.
The information contained is general information only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation and needs. We strongly recommend that you do not act on any information provided in this website without individual advice from your trusted advisor. You should also obtain a copy of and consider the Product Disclosure Statement for all financial products before making any decision.
The Expatriate always tries to make sure all information is accurate. However, when reading our website, please always consider our Disclaimer policy.
