Independent guide · figures checked 5 October 2026
Buying Australian property as a foreign buyer
Plain-English rules, the current fees and every state’s surcharge, taken from government sources and dated. Plus the new homes foreign buyers can actually buy.
Start with your situation
The rules depend on your residency status, not your nationality.
I’m not an Australian citizen or resident
You need approval, and you can buy new homes and vacant land.
Living in AustraliaI’m on a temporary visa
You’re a foreign person. Established homes are banned, even to live in.
Australian abroadI’m an Australian citizen or PR overseas
No FIRB approval. Tax, state rules and loans are the issues.
New ZealanderI’m a New Zealand citizen
Exempt from approval if you hold or could hold a Special Category visa.
What a foreign buyer can buy
From 1 April 2025 the Government banned foreign purchases of established homes. In the 2026–27 Budget it extended the ban to 30 June 2029.
| Property | Foreign person |
|---|---|
| New home, including off the plan | Yes, with approval |
| Vacant land (fewer than 10 dwellings could be built) | Yes, with approval and a four-year build condition |
| Redevelopment adding 20 or more dwellings | Case by case |
| Established home | Banned to 30 June 2029 Limited exceptions |
The rules, page by page
Each page cites the government source it is based on.
How FIRB approval works
Who needs it, the steps, and how long it takes.
Application fees
The 2026–27 fee table and a calculator.
State surcharges
Stamp duty and land tax, state by state.
Exemption certificates
Auctions and off-the-plan purchases.
Vacancy fee
The 183-day rule and the cost of an empty home.
Penalties
What happens if you buy without approval.
New homes foreign buyers can buy
Current new townhouse projects in eight cities, from public listings. Tell us where you’re looking and a sales consultant who works with developers will be in touch.
Buying from overseas
What is specific to your country: moving money, tax treaties, currencies and visas.
Home loans for overseas buyers
How lenders treat non-residents, temporary visa holders and expats, and how FIRB approval fits with finance.
Independent and sourced
We are not the government and we do not lodge applications. We may receive a referral fee if you ask us to introduce you to a sales consultant or a licensed broker, and we say so before you decide. About us
Common questions
Can foreigners buy property in Australia?
Yes, new homes, off-the-plan homes and vacant land, with approval. Foreign persons are banned from buying established homes until 30 June 2029, apart from limited exceptions.
Do I need FIRB approval?
If you are not an Australian citizen or permanent visa holder, generally yes. New Zealand citizens with, or eligible for, a Special Category visa are also exempt. Approval is applied for online through the ATO.
How much does FIRB approval cost?
For 2026–27, $15,600 for a new home or vacant land of $1 million or less, then $31,300 more for each further $1 million.
How long does FIRB approval take?
The ATO says it can take up to 30 days after it receives full payment of the fee. Exemption certificates generally take longer.
What is the foreign buyer stamp duty surcharge?
An extra percentage of the price charged by most states on top of ordinary stamp duty: 9% in NSW, 8% in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania, 7% in Western Australia and South Australia. The ACT and Northern Territory have none.
Is this the official FIRB website?
No. FIRB Approval is an independent guide. We are not part of the Foreign Investment Review Board, Treasury or the ATO, and we do not lodge or process applications. Applications are made to the ATO.