They say Australia is full.

And yet, more arrive.

The latest ABS figures show a tidal wave of permanent migrants, record demand for housing, and the usual suspects in government offices looking shocked — as if this wasn’t their own plan all along.

But while politicians offer the usual smokescreens — migration caps, tax tweaks, foreign buyer bans — one thing remains unchanged:

People need homes. And homes need builders.

So this week, we’re not joining the blame parade. It’s boring, unprofitable, and doesn’t get you a centimetre closer to a profitable property outcome.

Instead, we’ve tracked what is happening — federal, state, and local — and where smart operators like you should quietly take position before the bureaucrats realise the game has already moved on.

Too Many People, Not Enough Places

Data shows that arrivals keep rolling in—and so do the headaches for housing supply.

Fresh ABS numbers put May 2025 net permanent arrivals at 33,230—record‑shattering territory. That’s 1,070 souls boarding daily, with 245,890 fresh faces added to the manifest over the past year

According to the Institute of Public Affairs, migration isn’t just crowding our cities—it’s flattening per capita growth, leaving more people to split a pie that’s not getting any bigger.

And let’s not forget, the National Housing Accord is already 55,000 homes shy after a mere 12 months. That’s a daily deficit of 150 homes. If this were a race, we’re running backwards in high heels.

The Contrarian Scoop

Here’s the fun part: everyone’s passing the buck and pointing fingers —again—while no one’s asking why we’re not providing. Blaming migrants for the housing crisis is like blaming commuters for the traffic jam—sure, they’re in it, but they didn’t build the roads.

• Supply’s jammed. Planning approvals take forever, tradies are thin on the ground, and building costs keep climbing.
• Demand’s not imaginary. New arrivals need a roof, and most rent—so vacancy rates drop, and landlords get bold.
• Politicians are flailing. One minute it’s a migration cap, the next it’s taxing foreign buyers. None of it adds a single dwelling to the map.

Edge Insight for Flippers & Developers

So what does all this mean for us—the doers, not the debaters?

First, it’s the outer-ring battler belts that are quietly tightening—those suburbs about 45km out, where the commute’s long but the land’s still cheap. They’re not fancy. But they’re working-class, family-oriented, and the numbers stack up.

These areas don’t make headlines—but they do make money. Steady gains, strong rental demand, and enough room to add value without the council sending a drone. Think Marsden Park, Melton, Logan, Elizabeth, Cranbourne—every city has them.

Second, if you can build fast, build small, or build smart, you’ve got the advantage. Micro homes, modular builds, fast-tracked approvals—that’s where the leverage is. The bureaucrats can’t build. You can.

And finally, while the headlines scream about “crisis,” here’s your signal: there’s a vacuum of actual supply. If you can bring something to market—anything—quickly and affordably, the demand is sitting there waiting for you.

The game hasn’t changed. The rules just got lazier. Build faster, sharper, and smarter than the system. That’s how you win now.

The Bottom Line

Yes, the tidal wave of arrivals is real. Yes, housing isn’t keeping pace. But the real failure isn’t the money coming in—it’s the inability to get roofs over those heads.

Solution? Not a migration cap. It’s your build.

Opportunity? For those who act before the bureaucrats remember they were supposed to fix this.

On a different note, whilst it’s tempting to sit around and make a list of everything broken in the system frankly it gets a bit boring after a while. Like shooting fish in a barrel, and at the end of the day, it doesn’t get you a deal.

So this week, we decided to take a different angle: What is being done—and how can you quietly profit from it while everyone else complains?

It’s not a long list. But it’s a useful one.

Forget the Blame Game

Let’s break down what governments—state and federal—actually are doing in the property space, and how you can get in position before the herd arrives.

At the Federal Level – The Roundtable Reset

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is hosting an “Economic Reform Roundtable” next month—a three-day productivity summit with big talk about speeding up housing approvals, cutting red tape, and clearing planning bottlenecks.

Yes, yes—it’s another Canberra chinwag. But don’t tune it out.

Because this one is shaping up to include a serious push for:

• A “Single Front Door” approvals system for developments
• Planning and zoning simplification across states
• Compliance and tax changes that favour those who build rather than sit on land

Translation? If even 20% of this lands, your 2026 pipeline could move faster than anything we’ve seen in a decade.

NSW – Approvals in 10 Days (Yes, Really)

NSW just launched its $1 Pattern Book for housing—eight pre-approved designs you can use to fast-track builds like townhouses and terraces.

No DA headaches. No architectural wrangling. Just a rubber stamp in 10 days and the green light to go.

They’ve already added 12 more designs and are offering fee waivers for six months to anyone who plays ball early. Lodgements are already up 28%.

Start looking for R2/R3 suitable blocks to build on!

QLD – Sunshine Coast Opens the Gate

Meanwhile in QLD, Sunshine Coast Council has released a draft of its 2046 planning scheme—and it’s begging for community feedback. Mixed-use zones, housing flexibility, streamlined redevelopment—it’s all there for the taking.

The council is openly signalling it wants growth, not blockage. That’s your cue.

So What Should You Do?

Stop focusing on where the system is broken. Focus on where it’s opening

• If you’re in NSW: Use the Pattern Book. It’s DA fast lane, and it won’t be around forever.
• If you’re in QLD: Position now in the Sunshine Coast. Zones are loosening, and the opportunity is pre-baked.
• Nationally: Watch the Roundtable. If the “Single Front Door” becomes real, your timeline may halve

This is what playing the edge looks like: don’t wait for permission. Just follow the signals.

Until next week,

Stay sharp. Stay cynical. Stay profitable.

— Property Lovers