Garnishee - a court order to divert someone's money or property to someone else, either wholly or partly.

HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) - a loan available to eligible Australian students to cover all or part of their education. It is repayable later according to how much money you earn.

Negative gearing - a potential tax advantage that occurs when the return from an investment property doesn't cover the maintenance costs and mortgage interest costs.

Off the plan - buying a property - usually an apartment - from seeing the plans, before it is even built.

Quarter - a period of three months. A business should submit a Business Activity Statement every quarter, for example.

Savings - money that is set aside for use at a later time. See term deposit.

Unconscionable conduct - behaviour considered to be unreasonably excessive, unfair or unjust.

Will - a legal document stating how you wish your possessions to be distributed after your death.

Zoning - local authority guidelines which stipulate how land should be used.