THE
EXPATRIATE
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Latest News Affecting Expat Australians Today.
Newsletter
Interest Rates on Hold at 3.6%. Changes to the Housing Australia Guarantee, Cotality Property Market Update.
Wow — what a response! 🎉 It looks like we’re heading for a FULL HOUSE at our THE EXPATRIATE in Hong Kong event this Wednesday at Stauntons SoHo.
We only have a handful of places remaining, so if you haven’t RSVP’d yet, now’s the time.
📍 Stauntons SoHo, Hong Kong
📅 Wednesday, 20 August 2025
⏰ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Property News
The August 2025 Cotality HVI shows a re-acceleration in Australia’s housing market, marking a potential turning point after months of modest growth. For Australian expats, this shift presents both opportunities and challenges.
Meet Erika Humby-Freiman – Trusted Buyers Agent for Expatriates in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs
Finding the perfect home in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs can be challenging, especially if you are living abroad. That’s where Erika Humby-Freiman comes in. As an experienced Buyer’s Agent, Erika specializes in helping Australian expatriates navigate the complexities of the property market, ensuring a seamless and informed purchasing experience.
CoreLogic Home Value Index Report for 1st April 2025.
Key Insights from the Latest CoreLogic Australia Home Value Index (HVI), Property Market Update – April 2025
The Australian property market continues its dynamic trajectory, with the latest CoreLogic Home Value Index (HVI) report revealing fresh insights into housing trends nationwide. For Australian expatriates looking to invest or return home, understanding these market movements is crucial to making informed financial decisions.
Financial Planning News
1. Leverage the Low-Tax Environment
Hong Kong’s low personal income tax regime means you can save more from your earnings. Take advantage of this by building your investment portfolio or creating a safety net for your long-term goals.
Thank you, St. James’s Place Asia and Middle East, for sharing the latest 📈 Economic and Market Highlights.
UK Economy
Strong Q1 Growth: UK GDP grew by 0.7% in Q1 2025, up from 0.1% in Q4 2024, making the UK the fastest-growing G7 economy.
Equity Markets:
FTSE 100: +1.52%
FTSE 250: +2.28%
New UK-EU Trade Deal: Recently signed, details pending, but expected to boost UK economic growth further.
Job Market Weakness: Job vacancies fell to 761,000 in April, possibly influenced by increased National Insurance and minimum wage rises.
We are thrilled to introduce Michael Purvis, a highly experienced financial advisor who has dedicated over 20 years of his professional career to helping individuals and businesses effectively secure their financial future and achieve their various financial goals. Purvis has an extensive and impressive career throughout Australia, where he has worked across both the private and business banking sectors, providing valuable insights and personalized financial strategies to his diverse clientele.
Taxation News
Ensuring ATO compliance for property investors
Each tax season, the Australian Tax Office directs its attention to specific areas where taxpayers make mistakes, whether inadvertently or intentionally.
Rental properties have been under the spotlight this financial year-end, with the ATO recently announcing that, after a series of audits, they found errors in 90% of rental property-related returns, amounting to a shortfall of close to $1.3 billion between the amount collected and the amount owing.
Maximising tax benefits on your investment property involves understanding the various deductions and strategies that can help reduce your taxable income. Here are four reasons why it is essential to obtain a tax Depreciation Schedule for your investment property.
Tax Depreciation Schedule Should Be Included in Every Property Investor’s Annual Tax Return
New and second-hand properties are eligible for depreciation
It is never too late to claim depreciation on your investment property
The Tax Depreciation Schedule fee is 100 per cent tax-deductible.
Residential capital gains tax calculations clarified.
CGT event K7
The revised legislation allows some property investors to reduce their liability for capital gains tax (CGT) by claiming capital losses on denied plant and equipment depreciation deductions, referred to under CGT event K7.
Common myths in property investment, by Bradley Beer, Chief Investment Officer from BMT Tax Depreciation.
Investing in property offers investors a chance to build wealth; nevertheless, it’s crucial to be cautious because misleading and deceptive information is prevalent, potentially leading investors astray.
BMT Tax Depreciation explore some common myths and potentially dangerous advice on property investment including:
· Only wealthy people can invest in property
· Investors should only buy new
· It’s best to limit purchases to familiar locations
· Property investment guarantees quick wealth accumulation
· Don’t worry about claiming depreciation – it only increases your property’s cost base
Mortgage News
Singapore Client Case Study, Mortgage Health Check.
As part of the review, we considered the following points:
Interest rate
Loan term
Interest Only (IO) v Principal and Interest (P&I)
We recommended refinancing to a new lender, extending the term to 30 years, and keeping the repayments as P&I. With the above, an Australian Expat Investor's interest rate dropped to 6.09%, which is a great result and saves thousands of dollars in interest annually for this particular client.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced its decision to maintain the cash rate at 4.10% during its April 1, 2025 meeting.
Key Points from the RBA's Statement:
Inflation Trends: Inflation has significantly decreased since its peak in 2022, indicating that prior interest rate hikes have effectively balanced aggregate demand and supply. Reserve Bank of Australia
Future Outlook: The RBA emphasized the need for continued confidence that inflation will sustainably return to the target range. Reserve Bank of Australia
Interest Rates have finally dropped to 5.75 Variable and 5.49% Fixed 2 yrs. Can my mortgage broker secure this deal for me?
Relocation News
NAVIGATING RETIREMENT RELOCATION FROM AFAR: THE PEMBERTON FAMILY'S JOURNEY WITH RELOCATION SPECIALIST.
When Emily Pemberton, a marketing executive based in London, received a call from her parents in Brisbane, she knew it was time to step in. Robert, 78, and Anne, 75, struggled to manage their large family home. Moving them into a retirement home seemed like the best option. However, Emily faced a daunting challenge: orchestrating this significant move from 10,000 miles away.
“I was overwhelmed,” Emily recalls. “I wanted the best for my parents, but the logistics seemed impossible from London. That's when I reached out to a relocation specialist.”
What’s new with Australian visas in 2024?
With the recent update to the Visa Policy, it is essential to understand the technical ins and outs of the Australian Migration system. Here are some key insights that we think will be beneficial for you.
Migration plans for 2024 and the impact on Australia’s housing market
Australian Migration programme focused on attracting and retaining skilled workers
How can Australia rethink its migration programme to attract and retain skilled workers?
Throughout the years, Australia has welcomed millions of people from all corners of the world, each bringing their own unique culture and contributions to Australian society.
Australia is currently facing various labour and skills shortages with the aftermath of the pandemic and further to this, long visa processing times are potentially causing Australia to lose valuable talent to other countries.
Currency News
Send Payments Weekly Trading Update 6th January 2025
In The News🌏 – Market Conditions and what to look out for this week 🗓️
AUD/GBP Exchange Rate
AUD/GBP dropped to multi-year lows over the Christmas period, dropping into the low 0.49's before regaining the 0.5000 level on Thursday.
Throughout December, the rate dropped to 5.1%, starting at 0.5200 and ending the month at 0.4930.
The AUD has dropped rapidly against various currencies due to potential rate cuts in Australia and a broad risk-based sell-off in the currency.
Send Payments Market Update 28th October 2024 PLUS Competition.
Send Payments Competition
When you make an international transfer with Send from 13th October 2024 to 31st December 2024, you'll go into the draw for the chance to win 1 of 5 $500 Luxury Escapes vouchers when you transfer $AUD 10,000 or more. T&C’s apply*
Send weekly trading update—21st October 2024
In The News Today! 🌏 – Market Conditions and What to Look out for this Week 🗓️
RBA and Global Rate Cuts:
The RBA is expected to hold rates until May next year after strong domestic employment data slashed the chances of a rate cut this year.
Rate cuts from other central banks, such as the Fed in America and the RBNZ, are pressuring discussions on potential easing elsewhere.
Immigration News
Visas to Australia for business owners and investors
Since Australia’s international border has opened, the requirements for foreign travelers to declare COVID-19 vaccination status before arriving in Australia has been scrapped, and the government continual messaging to attract targeted individuals in the global competition for skilled migrants, talent, and investment in response to labour shortages, economic recovery, and growth, there has been increased interest from individuals looking for options to relocate temporarily or migrate permanently to Australia.
Australian Federal Budget 2022-23: Immigration Overview In considering means to aid Australia’s economic recovery and post-pandemic growth, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has proposed skilled permanent migration numbers to nearly double to 200,000 per year.
I want to visit Australia, what Australian Visa do I need? There’s never been a better time to come to Australia!
We chatted to Immigration Law Specialist Julia Qian to give us the latest info to help you
Wellness News
Chi Longevity - Microbiome Clock
Thank You, Dr. Naras Lapsys (PhD), for sharing his insights on the next clock in our biological series, which is called the Microbiome Clock.
Our microbiome changes as we age—so measuring its composition and diversity as we age can be a vital ally in fostering healthy longevity. That’s where the Microbiome Clock comes in…
What are “Blood Clocks?” And why are they important?
In the past few decades, biological age has been estimated using a variety of biomarkers essential to identify and treat chronic disease risk. And it isn’t just important for older adults. You can start making positive changes to help increase your longevity and healthspan at any age. The goal is to lower your chances of getting long-term illnesses or at least delaying their onset. Your chronological age could differ from your biological age, depending on your genetics and lifestyle. For example, two biological ageing tests are dedicated to analysing blood biomarkers. The team at Chi Longevity refer to these as ‘Blood Clocks’.