Why South East Queensland Is Still Australia's Strongest New-Build Investment Corridor in 2026

The federal budget just made new builds the only tax-efficient form of property investment. Here's why, after 41 years, our answer on where to invest hasn't changed - but the case just got significantly stronger.

The 2026 federal budget confirmed what many property experts had anticipated: negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount now apply in full only to new-build properties. For investors who have been holding or considering existing properties, the return on investment no longer stacks up the way it once did.

With that question settled, a more important one emerges: where should investors be directing their capital now that new builds are the clear choice?

After 41 years of building exclusively across South East Queensland, our answer hasn't changed. But the case for this region just became significantly more compelling.

The fundamentals driving South East Queensland's growth

Before last week's budget, South East Queensland - and the Moreton Bay region in particular - was already delivering some of the strongest capital growth in Australia. That growth was not speculative. It was structural, driven by a convergence of forces that don't disappear when interest rates move.



The five structural forces driving South East Queensland's property market - independent of interest rate cycles.

These results were achieved despite spiking interest rates across the period. The structural fundamentals of the market were strong enough to absorb that headwind and continue growing. Rental demand is only increasing, underpinned by an existing undersupply of 10,000 dwellings across the region.

"Despite spiking interest rates, the fundamentals of these markets remained the same and drove significant ongoing growth. Rental demand is only increasing."

What the 2026 budget means for an already undersupplied region

The budget changes have introduced a new demand dynamic on top of an already constrained market. With negative gearing now restricted to new builds, investor capital that was previously spread across both new and existing properties is now concentrating specifically into new-build stock - exactly the type of property already in short supply across South East Queensland.

Three demand forces are now converging on the same constrained pool of new-build stock across South East Queensland.

At the same time, the federal government's expanded First Home Guarantee Scheme - announced earlier this year - now allows eligible first home buyers to purchase properties up to $1 million in South East Queensland with as little as a 2% to 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance. This separate policy has already been lowering the barrier to entry for an entirely different buyer cohort, adding further pressure to already-limited new-build stock.

Three forces. One constrained supply.

The pre-existing undersupply of 10,000 dwellings was already pushing prices higher. Now, investor demand pivoting to new builds and more first home buyers entering the market are converging on that same constrained pool of new-build properties. When demand increases against limited supply, prices tend to move in one direction.

Properties available now

As a family business that has been building new homes exclusively across South East Queensland for over 41 years, Dwyer Property Investments is in a strong position to help investors take advantage of this shift. We have a limited number of ready-to-start-construction 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom investment properties available right now across the Moreton Bay region and broader South East Queensland, from $825,750.

If you have existing equity and want to invest across one of Australia's strongest growth corridors with every tax benefit the new budget rules preserve intact, the window to act on available stock is narrow.

Frequently asked questions

Book a free discovery call

Speak with Gerard Condon, our Property Investment Specialist, to understand what the SEQ growth story means for your specific equity position and income. No cost. No obligation.

The figures, growth statistics, and comparisons in this article are indicative only and do not constitute financial, taxation, legal, or investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Capital growth figures are sourced from publicly available data and may vary. Independent advice should be obtained from a qualified accountant, financial adviser, or solicitor before making any investment decision.