A new financial year is the natural time to reset your numbers – and for builders and subcontractors, 2026-27 brings a few changes worth knowing about before you price your next job.

The $20,000 instant asset write-off is set to become permanent

In the May 2026 Federal Budget, the Government announced it will make the $20,000 instant asset write-off permanent from 1 July 2026 for businesses turning over less than $10 million. That means eligible tools, equipment and other assets costing under $20,000 each can be deducted immediately rather than depreciated over years. One caveat: at the time of writing the measure has been announced but not yet legislated, so confirm before you rely on it for a big purchase.

Super guarantee stays at 12%

The super guarantee rate completed its long climb to 12% on 1 July 2025, and that is where it now sits. If you employ apprentices, labourers or admin staff, make sure your payroll software is calculating at the right rate – and remember super now applies from the first dollar of ordinary time earnings for most workers.

Your QBCC reporting clock starts soon

If you hold a contractor licence in categories 1-7, the annual reporting window opens on 1 August and closes 31 December. Self-certifying licensees (SC1 and SC2) report between 1 November and 31 March – unless you are a sole trader, in which case annual reporting was scrapped for you in March 2025. Companies in SC1/SC2 still need to lodge.

Start the year with a margin check

Material prices and labour costs have not stood still, and quotes written on last year’s rates quietly eat your margin. July is the right time to rebuild your standard rates, review work in progress, and make sure the jobs you are about to sign actually make money.

A quick FY2026-27 checklist for builders

  • Update payroll for current super and tax tables
  • Reprice your standard quote rates against current material costs
  • Diarise your QBCC annual reporting window
  • Check your Net Tangible Assets position now – not in December
  • Plan equipment purchases around the instant asset write-off

With nearly half of our clients in building and construction, we’re QBCC specialists. If anything in this article applies to you, book a chat or call (07) 5593 6060.

General information only — not financial or legal advice. Rules and thresholds change; check current requirements with QBCC and the ATO or speak to us before acting.