1. Network & Industry

In This Edition… 

💫 Network News – Rebrand, Reform & Industry Change

🤖 Property Market, AI & Compliance Updates

📈 Industry Change Accelerates Across Property Sector

🏢 Rebrand Momentum and Major Industry Developments

📄 Strategic Updates for Sales, PM & Leadership Teams

Serving Aotearoa/New Zealand

👓 20 second read

Network News now covers both Australia and New Zealand. Where updates are country-specific, headlines will be flagged accordingly – AU or NZ. To our Kiwi whānau reading the third trans-Tasman edition - welcome back.

AU: First National’s brand reinvention revealed

👓 X minute video

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First National Real Estate has officially unveiled a major national rebrand to members gathered at its National Convention in Da Nang, marking the first significant step in the cooperative network’s long-term reinvention strategy. 

For our valued members and staff not attending in person, the above recording is now ready for you to view.

How the rebrand rollout works

Following the Convention, members will begin the transition with a 'White Glove' process in staged waves. Full network completion is targeted by the end of 2027. Two paths are available: 

• A staged approach that tackles digital assets first, then physical

• Or, an integrated approach running both streams simultaneously, typically completing within six to eight weeks

Offices in the same geographic area are encouraged to coordinate their switchovers, as simultaneous transitions create a stronger visual impact in local markets.

What changes, and when

Members do not need to rebrand all at once. 

The 12 to 18 month rebrand window is specifically designed to allow staged budgeting and planning. Digital assets, including websites, email signatures, social media profiles and portal listings will be covered by step-by-step guides. Physical assets, from building signage and reception areas to vehicle wraps, can be sequenced based on each office's priorities.

Every office will receive a custom logo lockup, developed by NSO, with their office name already set in the correct format.

A public-facing national brand campaign is planned for 2027.

Your starting point

Everything members need, assets, guides, templates and how-to videos, will be centralised in the Brand Hub on FN Central, accessible via your existing credentials. 

Members are encouraged to begin scoping supplier quotes and reviewing the 'Get Ready' checklist as soon as the full Brand Hub goes live.

AU: Explore the Rebrand Hub FAQs now 

👓 15 second read

AU: FN Swans Residential spreads its wings into Armadale

👓 35 second read

After five successful years building a strong presence in Averley (WA), FN Swans Residential principal Ash Dhingra has expanded his operation into Armadale.

It is a logical next step. Ash and his team have demonstrated consistent performance in Averley, earning the trust of vendors, buyers and landlords alike. Armadale is a growing market with real opportunity for an experienced operator who knows how to deliver results.

We congratulate Ash and his team on this expansion and look forward to watching them grow. The Armadale community is in good hands.

AU: Privacy ruling puts RentTech under scrutiny

👓 1+ minute read

Real estate agencies using tenancy application platforms such as 2Apply are being urged to review their privacy practices following a significant determination by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

The Privacy Commissioner found that 2Apply collected personal information that was not ‘reasonably necessary’ for tenancy assessments, including details such as citizenship status, bankruptcy history, dependants, visa expiry dates and extensive employment and identification data.

The OAIC also raised concerns about the imbalance of power facing renters in a highly competitive market, suggesting some applicants may have felt pressured to provide excessive information in order to secure housing.

Importantly, the determination does not allege deliberate misconduct, data misuse or security failures by 2Apply or Reapit. Reapit has confirmed it is working with regulators and reviewing platform workflows in response to the ruling.

Agencies should not assume privacy obligations sit solely with third-party providers. Any business collecting, storing or handling applicant information may still face obligations under the Privacy Act and Australian Privacy Principles.

Members using tenancy application technology should now:

• Review what applicant data is being collected
• Remove information requests that are not necessary
• Update privacy policy notices and internal procedures
• Train staff on compliant data handling
• Ensure secure storage and deletion processes are in place

AU: Budget changes reshape property investment

👓 2+ minute read

Negative gearing on established properties is gone, and the capital gains tax discount has been overhauled. 

The Government says its new policy will make house prices fall and help first home buyers. Critics say property investors will take flight, putting upward pressure on rents – like last time, if you recall the lessons of 1985.

What you need to know:

1. 50% CGT has been axed in favour of inflation indexation (but investors have until 1 July 2027)

2. Properties already negative geared remain exempt (but CGT inflation indexed from 1 July 2027) 

3. All capital gains will be subject to a minimum 30% CGT

4. Negative gearing restricted to new builds from July 2027

5. Existing homes bought/settled after budget night continue with 50% CGT discount till July 2027

What does this mean for property investors?

For many investors, especially higher-income earners purchasing established dwellings, the after-tax benefits of residential property investment will reduce materially. Investment decisions may increasingly focus on rental yield, long-term cash flow and new housing projects rather than tax advantages alone. 

The reforms may also reshape buyer competition. Some economists and housing advocates believe reduced investor demand could improve access for owner-occupiers. Others argue that fewer investors could worsen rental shortages if housing supply fails to increase quickly enough. 

What should agencies tell clients now?

Agents and property managers should encourage landlords and investors to seek independent financial and taxation advice before making decisions. The details of the legislation, transition arrangements and exemptions will matter significantly.

Importantly, the changes do not remove property’s long-term appeal as an investment asset. Population growth, housing undersupply and rental demand remain major structural drivers of the Australian housing market. The key difference is that future investment decisions may rely less on tax settings and more on asset selection, cash flow strength and local market fundamentals.

NZ: New Meth rules now active in New Zealand

👓 1+ minute read

New Zealand’s Residential Tenancies (Managing Methamphetamine Contamination) Regulations are now in force, introducing a clear national framework for how meth contamination in rental properties must be managed. 

For property managers, the most important change is the introduction of defined contamination thresholds:

• A property is considered contaminated if meth residue exceeds 15µg/100cm²
• A property is considered uninhabitable if contamination exceeds 30µg/100cm² 

If contamination exceeds 15µg/100cm, the affected area must be professionally decontaminated to 15µg/100cm or below before it can lawfully continue to be rented. Contamination is assessed room by room rather than across the whole property. 

Where contamination exceeds 30µg/100cm, landlords and tenants may have rights to end the tenancy because the property is considered uninhabitable under the legislation. 

The regulations also formalise testing and remediation processes. In certain circumstances where contamination is suspected, landlords must engage qualified independent testers, and decontamination must follow prescribed standards aligned with NZS 8510:2017. 

Property managers should also be aware of several operational obligations:

• Tenants must be advised when meth testing is taking place
• Written test results must be provided to tenants within seven days of receipt
• Landlords cannot knowingly rent contaminated properties that create health risks
• Staff should maintain clear documentation of testing, notices, remediation and communication records 

Importantly, the regulations apply specifically to rental properties. Pre-purchase meth testing and private transactions may still rely on different contractual or insurer standards. Some insurers may also continue using lower remediation thresholds than the new tenancy regulations. 

AU: Investor retreat tightens Queensland rental supply

👓 45 second read

Investor activity across southeast Queensland fell sharply amid pre-Budget speculation about changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions. Post Budget, investors' fears have been confirmed.

For Queensland property managers, the key concern is rental supply. Vacancy rates remain critically low across Greater Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast at around 0.9 to 1.0%. 

Industry modelling suggests reducing negative gearing concessions and CGT discounts could cut new housing construction by around 45,000 homes nationally over five years while placing further upward pressure on rents. 

AU: Have you enrolled with AUSTRAC?

👓 20 second read

All real estate agencies providing a ‘designated service’ under AML/CTF legislation, i.e. buying or selling real estate or business must now enrol with AUSTRAC. You must apply to enrol by 29 July 2026.

Find out more about preparing to enrol here…

Sign up to enrol your business with AUSTRAC here…

AU: All roads lead to Rural & Regional Muster

👓 15 second read

Our Regional & Rural Muster takes place in Albury/Wodonga this year - August 5th through 7th. 

Join us for an exciting event full of learning, networking, and memorable experiences. Keep watch for further details including registration links coming your way very soon.

AU: Futures Club builds the next generation

👓 1+ minute read

The response to our recently launched Futures Club has been strong, and for good reason. This initiative marks a clear step forward in how First National develops future leaders across the network.

Building on the foundations of FN Squad, Futures Club is a structured two-year leadership and business development programme designed to develop capable, commercially aware people who can help drive the future of member businesses. Nearly twenty offices are already indicating firm interest!

For Principals, the value is practical from day one. The programme supports succession planning, reduces dependence on external recruitment and strengthens leadership depth within the office. Participants apply what they learn in real business settings, helping improve judgement, team performance and operational capability. With a nationally recognised Diploma of Property (Agency Management) embedded into the programme, Futures Club also strengthens compliance awareness, financial understanding and business discipline.

For team members, the appeal is equally clear. Futures Club offers a credible pathway for those ready to grow. It goes beyond theory and places participants in genuine leadership situations, supported by mentoring, state-based sessions and national collaboration. They build practical skills, broaden their industry perspective and gain the confidence to take on greater responsibility, whether that leads to management or future ownership.

This is a serious investment in people and in the long-term strength of the network. It helps offices retain talented team members, create clearer career pathways and prepare the next generation of business leaders.

Every office should now be asking a simple question: who in your team is ready to step forward, and who could help lead the next chapter of your business? 

Download the information pack the Learning & Development chapter for all the exciting details.