What Is an “Established Property”?

An established dwelling is:

• A property that has been previously lived in
• A resale property (house, townhouse, apartment or unit)

This is what most people refer to as the “second-hand market”

This is where most restrictions apply for foreign buyers, and have done for nearly 40 years.

What Is Considered a “New Dwelling”?

A new dwelling generally means:

• Brand new property never occupied
• Off-the-plan purchase
• A occupied property that has not been occupied for more than 12 months

Can Temporary Visa Holders Buy Property in Australia?

Yes — but they are treated as foreign buyers, so the same rules apply.

That means:

Can buy:

• New dwellings
• Off-the-plan property
• Vacant land (with development conditions)

 Cannot buy:

• Established property

What If I Am a Permanent Resident?

If you hold Permanent Residency (PR):

• You are treated similarly to Australian citizens for property purchases
• You can generally buy established property

However, you may still be subject to certain fees depending on your situation and state.

What If My Partner Is an Australian Citizen?

If purchasing jointly with an Australian citizen:

• The purchase is allowed
• However, the foreign buyer portion may still attract:
  • Foreign buyer stamp duty surcharge
  • Additional fees

Are There Any Exceptions?

There are very limited exceptions.

Under current rules (2025–2027), one exception may apply:

Redevelopment Exception

If the purchase genuinely increases housing supply, for example:

• Demolishing one property and building multiple dwellings

These require approval from Foreign Investment Review Board and come with strict conditions.

What About the Rules After 2027?

If the temporary restrictions are not extended:

• The rules are expected to revert to the previous system
• Which allowed limited access for temporary residents to buy one property to live in

However:

 I am not certain this will happen — government policy can change. [Uncertain]

What Fees Do Foreign Buyers Pay?

Foreign buyers should expect additional costs, including:

FIRB Application Fees

• Under $1M: approx. $15,100
• $1M–$2M: approx. $30,300

(These can change — always confirm current rates)

Foreign Buyer Stamp Duty

• Typically 7%–8% extra, depending on the state
• Paid in addition to normal stamp duty

A Common Misunderstanding: “Apartments Don’t Perform”

Many foreign buyers avoid Australian apartments because they believe houses always outperform them.

That’s not entirely accurate.

Recent data (to early 2026) shows:

• Apartments have outperformed houses in some capital cities over the past 2–3 years
• This is often part of a catch-up cycle
• Long term, houses have historically grown faster — but not always

The key is selecting the right apartment, not avoiding them altogether.

Summary: What You Need to Know

• The “foreign buyer ban” on Australian residential real estate is nothing new — it has existed in some form since the late 1980s
• The 2025–2027 changes mainly affect temporary residents and student buying established homes
• Foreign buyers can still purchase:
  • New dwellings
  • Off-the-plan property
  • Vacant land (with conditions)
• Additional taxes and approval processes apply

Final Thought

The biggest issue isn’t the rules themselves.

It’s the misinformation surrounding them.

And for foreign buyers or temporary residents, getting this wrong can be extremely costly.