Buying Australian property from the United Kingdom

The short version

The UK angle is mostly tax. UK residents normally pay UK tax on foreign income, including rent from overseas property, with relief where the same income is taxed twice. The old non-dom regime was replaced from 6 April 2025 with a residence-based system that gives new arrivals who were not UK tax resident in the previous ten years four years of relief on foreign income and gains — relevant if you are an Australian moving to London with a property back home.

Are UK citizens foreign persons in Australia?

Yes. British citizens are foreign persons unless they also hold Australian citizenship or a permanent visa. Australian citizens living in the UK do not need approval.

Tax treaty

Yes — a double tax agreement has been in force since 2003.

Home loans and GBP income

Pounds are a top-tier currency with Australian lenders: some count 100% of GBP income. How much you can borrow depends mainly on whether you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident living in the UK, or a UK national with no Australian status — see the home loans page.

Lender policy changes. See our home loans guide for how lenders generally treat overseas borrowers.

Visas

Skills in Demand (482), points-tested skilled (189/190) and partner visas are the usual pathways. On a temporary visa you are still a foreign person.

Next steps

• Check the application fee and your state’s surcharge.
• Read the FIRB approval guide.
• Look at new homes foreign buyers can purchase.

Frequently asked questions

firbapproval.com.au is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Foreign Investment Review Board, the Australian Treasury or the Australian Taxation Office. We do not lodge or process applications. Applications are made to the ATO. General information only, not legal, tax, migration or financial advice.