An increase in social housing supply, new direct rental bond payments and stamp duty thresholds linked to REIWA data are among the measures REIWA is asking the Government to consider in the 2026-27 Western Australian Budget.
REIWA President Suzanne Brown said working with Government to a shared goal of a stable property market benefitted all Western Australians.
"Housing prices in Greater Perth were up by 25 percent last year and are continuing to rise in 2025. High demand and increasing prices can make for some very challenging conditions, especially for first home buyers and the vulnerable," she said.
"The established homes market, and the rental market, continue to be influenced by ongoing strong population growth, relatively low new home completions, and low rental supply in inner and middle suburbs.
"REIWA members are the property managers, selling agents, and buyer agents who are out every weekend seeing first-hand what is going on in the property market, and it is REIWA's job to reflect their views back to Government.
"Our members tell us we need policy that brings new homes to market faster to increase supply; supports first home buyers trying to secure a new home; and a rental system that provides affordable homes for tenants and the confidence to invest for landlords."
REIWA's pre-budget submission includes ten policy areas it would like to see funded to improve housing affordability and provide a stable rental market.
"We work with Government throughout the year, but the pre-budget process is the time to support good policy that is working and to recommend new policy that reflects the current market," Ms Brown said.
Support for first home buyers
REIWA has called on the WA Government to increase first home buyer stamp duty thresholds and link them to REIWA data to ensure they remain relevant to market conditions.
"REIWA has excellent data that shows what buyers are paying in the market right now. Whilst the Government increased the thresholds as recently as March 2025, the updates have not kept pace with the market," Ms Brown said.
"By linking to REIWA data, the thresholds would remain relevant in both a rising or a stabilising market, allowing more first home buyers to participate.
"Under the present policy no stamp duty is payable on a home with a dutiable value of up to $500,000 for a house.
"However, in the year to September 2025, only 7.6 per cent of dwelling sales in Greater Perth were below $500,000 and only around 14 per cent of those dwellings were houses.
"By linking to REIWA data, the program would be able to assist more Western Australians into home ownership and free-up much needed stock in the rental market."
REIWA has recommended the lower threshold with no duty payable should be pegged to REIWA's rolling annual lower quartile, and the upper threshold should be set at REIWA's annual rolling median.
"Another program we would like to see linked to REIWA data is the threshold for the Home Buyers Assistance Account (HBAA) grants for first home buyers," Ms Brown said.
"This is a good scheme which grants first home buyers $2,000 for incidental expenses, but the threshold has not kept pace with the market.
"By linking thresholds to REIWA data, the grant will be able to help more first home buyers."
Policy to help vulnerable renters
"In the rental market, securing a rental property is extremely difficult for the more vulnerable in our society, or for anyone wanting to live in areas near the CBD. The demand for social housing and crisis accommodation has risen and homelessness has increased," Ms Brown said.
"We would like to see the Government establish and fund a Social Impact Property Investment Program offering property investors incentives to offer rental homes below market rate.
"There is an opportunity for the State Government to provide a concession or rebate on local government rates or land tax to property investors who lease their property at below-market rents to eligible tenants.
"REIWA would also like to see more social housing and calls on the Government to target 1,000 new or refurbished dwellings per year.
"Often it is REIWA members, our property managers, that are at the frontline of the frustration people can experience looking for a rental, and the concerns of those at risk of homelessness.
"We will continue to work with Government on practical solutions that balance the needs of tenants and investors and increase the supply of homes to rent."
Off-the-Plan Support for apartments and units
REIWA believes housing supply can be improved by increasing density and building more apartments, units and townhouses in both the new and established suburbs of Perth.
"We support Government moves to increase housing density throughout Perth and call on the Government to continue its duty concession and rebate scheme for off-the-plan apartments," Ms Brown said.
"Under the scheme, eligible buyers can apply for an upfront concession on the transfer duty that they would normally pay on the purchase of an off-the-plan home.
"The scheme can save off-the-plan apartment buyers tens of thousands of dollars in Government tax, while encouraging higher density developments and a diversity of housing choices.
"Yet it is due to expire in June 2026.
"We think this is an effective policy giving buyers choice and we would like to see the Government extend and fund it beyond next year."
Direct bond lodgement to the bond administrator
REIWA's pre-budget submission also calls on the Government to provide greater transparency and security for tenants by allowing direct rental bond payments.
The process of paying a bond is largely a manual one involving the tenant, the property manager or landlord and the ultimate receiver and holder of the bond, the bond administrator at the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety.
"This process involves significant manual handling, compliance oversight and exposure to cyber risk," Ms Brown said.
"We believe it's time for a new solution that would allow tenants in Western Australia to directly pay their bond to the bond administrator.
"An automated notification or receipt would then be issued to both the tenant and the property manager, saving up to two weeks processing time, and ensuring the visibility and accuracy of the transaction.
"This simple reform strongly supports improving security, efficiency and consumer confidence in the rental system.
"We always welcome the chance to work with Government and represent our members' views and experiences, and the pre-budget process is a valuable opportunity to do that."
View the full submission
