May22025
News Is Property Investment Right For You

Is Property Investment Right For You?

News

Property investment remains one of the most common routes to wealth building in Australia. Western Australia, including Perth and regional WA, has been attracting renewed interest in 2025, thanks to rising rents, constrained supply, and relatively strong capital growth in certain areas. But it is not without risk. Before investing in property in WA, or anywhere, you need to think carefully about how it aligns with your finances, goals, risk tolerance, and timeframe.

Advantages of Property Investment in Western Australia

Here are some of the specific benefits WA offers, backed by recent data:

  1. Strong Rental Yields in WA
    • Apartments in WA have delivered 6.2% gross yields as of year ending March 2025. (Camden Professionals)
    • Regional WA shows even higher yields; some units/houses outside Perth are returning around 8–8.5%+ gross yields. (Savings)
    • Within Greater Perth, yields for houses are more modest (~4.5%) but units tend to be higher. (API Magazine)
  2. Capital Growth Potential
    • WA dwelling values have grown strongly over the past few years. From March 2020 to March 2025, Perth dwelling values rose ~75.4%, and regional WA nearly 80%. (Savings)
    • Certain property types in Perth — e.g. duplexes, smaller houses (e.g. two-bedroom) — have seen large recent increases. For example, two-bedroom duplexes rose about 22.3% in one year to a median price ~$615,000; two-bedroom houses ~21.2% to ~$665,000. (API Magazine)
  3. Strong Rental Demand and Low Vacancy
    • Vacancy rates in Perth had been low (e.g. ~2.5% in the first half of 2025). (loans.com.au)
    • Rents have increased significantly: for houses and units in Perth year-on-year rent rises of 4.7% (houses) and 7.4% (units). (openagent.com.au)
  4. Relative Affordability Compared to Eastern Capitals
    • While WA prices have grown, for many investors Perth is still more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, etc., in terms of what you get per dollar. Some suburbs in Perth still offer lower entry price points. (propertyfinanceinvest.com.au)
  5. Diversification
    • Adding property to a portfolio that may include shares, cash, superannuation, etc., diversifies the kinds of risk you face.
    • Regional properties especially diversify geography ‒ exposure to different economic cycles (e.g. mining, agriculture, tourism) compared to metro Perth. (stageproperty.com.au)
  6. Tax and Policy Benefits
    • Australia allows negative gearing (losses can offset other income) and depreciation deductions for investment property expenses. (Moneysmart)
    • Some WA-regional areas may benefit from government incentives, grants, or favorable tax treatment depending on policy. (Providence Property)
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Jan292025
Mortgage BrokingNews Mortgage Broker

How to Choose a Mortgage Broker and Home Loan

Mortgage Broking, News

1. The role of a mortgage broker in Australia

What a mortgage broker does

A mortgage broker acts as an intermediary between borrowers (you) and lenders (banks, credit unions, non-bank lenders). Rather than you going to each lender to compare, a broker:

  • Has access to a panel of multiple lenders and home-loan products.
  • Compares rates, features, fees, and lending criteria across that panel.
  • Helps you with your application (gathering documents, negotiating with lenders, structuring the loan).
  • Often handles the submission and settlement process.
  • After settlement, may assist with future refinancing or re-negotiation.

Brokers are regulated in Australia (must hold a credit licence or act under one) and are subject to disclosure and conduct requirements.

Because brokers can shop through multiple lenders, they may find a better fit or cheaper product than you might find on your own.

However, brokers are (in part) remunerated via commission from lenders (both up-front and trailing commission). Always ask what fees or commissions the broker receives, whether there is any conflict of interest or panel restrictions, and whether the broker offers “fee for service” or commission-based models.

The use of brokers has grown significantly in Australia, with brokers now originating a large share of home loans. (Wikipedia)

A recent study also examined how brokers mitigate borrower confusion regarding loan features. (ScienceDirect)

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Jan132025
NewsSuperannuation Fund Understanding Superannuation

Understanding Superannuation

News, Superannuation Fund

One of the many financial services we offer at Approved Financial Planners is help with your superannuation fund. Whether you choose self managed superannuation or any of the super funds available to you, we can provide sound financial advice and improve your understanding of superannuation.

How Superannuation Works

Money is placed into your superannuation account, also known as a “super account” or “super,” by you, your employer or both. The money in your super fund is then invested with the intent of it growing in time, even though it will occasionally return a negative result for the year. *

As a super grows, the money earned is reinvested and also earns a return, helping your balance grow even more. On member contributions for which you claimed a tax deduction or on contributions from your employer, your tax is only 15% of any contribution up to $30,000 per year. The $30,000 limit is known as the “concessional contributions cap.” *

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