Apartment$500,000
Melbourne
1 bd 1 ba 50 m²
Buy Property in Australia: FIRB Rules, Costs and Locations
8,891 homes, apartments and plots from local agents and developers, across 1 cities and towns.
- Listings
- 8,891
- Cities
- 1
- Houses
- 7,863
- Under 100k
- 29
Properties for sale in Australia
Listings link to the original agent or portal, where you can contact the seller directly.
34 properties shown
Apartment
Apartment$595,000
Gold Coast
1 bd 1 ba 65 m²
Apartment$1,700,000
Sydney
1 bd 1 ba 70 m²
Apartment$1,000,000
Sydney
1 bd 1 ba 60 m²
Apartment$485,000
Melbourne
1 bd
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Apartment$400,000
Melbourne
1 bd 1 ba 50 m²
Apartment$370,000
Brisbane
1 bd 1 ba 50 m²
ApartmentPrice on request
Sydney
Apartment$800,000
Perth
1 bd 1 ba 60 m²
Apartment$400,000
Brisbane
1 bd 1 ba 70 m²
ApartmentA$390,000
Muswellbrook
2 bd 1 ba
ApartmentA$1,740,000
Lota
4 bd 3 ba 288 m²
HouseA$490,000
Castletown
3 bd 1 ba
ApartmentA$597,000
Fortitude Valley
1 bd 1 ba 54 m²
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ApartmentA$2,500,000
BRIDGETOWN
17 bd 8 ba
VillaA$1,575,000
Mudgeeraba
4 bd 2 ba 252 m²
ApartmentA$995,000
Broadbeach
1 bd 1 ba 56 m²
ApartmentA$350,000
Manoora
2 bd 1 ba 68 m²
ApartmentA$449,000
LABRADOR
3 bd 2 ba 175 m²
ApartmentA$414,990
HUNTINGDALE
4 bd 2 ba 150 m²
ApartmentA$669,000
VICTORIA POINT
4 bd 2 ba 211 m²
ApartmentA$480,000
Spring Hill
2 bd 1 ba 86 m²
ApartmentA$1,400,000
BAHRS SCRUB
5 bd 3 ba 308 m²
ApartmentA$685,000
GLEN FORREST
3 bd 2 ba 180 m²
ApartmentA$269,000
BALLARAT CENTRAL
1 bd 1 ba 103 m²
ApartmentA$749,000
MARCOOLA
3 bd 2 ba 115 m²
ApartmentA$1,050,000
QUAKERS HILL
4 bd 2 ba 183 m²
ApartmentA$850,000
MULLALOO
3 bd 2 ba
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ApartmentA$369,000
Boulder
3 bd 1 ba 120 m²
ApartmentA$1,450,000
South Hobart
4 bd 2 ba 135 m²
ApartmentA$309,000
DAWESVILLE
3 bd 2 ba
ApartmentA$449,000
COLLIE
4 bd 2 ba 348 m²
ApartmentA$760,000
THORNLANDS
4 bd 3 ba 39 m²
ApartmentA$975,000
MOFFAT BEACH
4 bd 2 ba 260 m²
Where to buy in Australia
Cities and towns with the most properties for sale right now.
Buyer's guide: Australia
Our database lists 8,652 properties for sale in Australia with a median asking price of €428,305, mostly houses. Foreign buyers face FIRB approval and stamp duty surcharges, so planning matters. This guide explains where to buy, what it costs and the process.
Australian property market in numbers
All numbers are from current listings on RealEstateAbroad and are asking prices, converted to euros from Australian and US dollars. Listings are dominated by houses, so the figures describe the detached-home market more than inner-city flats.
| Indicator | Current listings |
|---|---|
| Listings | 8,652 |
| Median asking price | €428,305 |
| Middle 50% of prices (p25 to p75) | €294,848 to €605,214 |
| Median price per m² | €2,776 |
| Median size | 157 m² |
| Property-type mix | Houses 7,742; apartments 638; land 330; villas 34; commercial 12; studios 4; penthouse 1 |
| Bedrooms | Studio/0 bed: 36; 1 bed: 485; 2 beds: 1,778; 3 beds: 3,078; 4 beds: 2,369; 5+ beds: 680 |
Foreign buyers in Australia are steered towards new dwellings and vacant land, so the question is often 'which new project?', not 'which established home?'.
The big rule: FIRB approval
Foreign persons generally need approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) before buying residential property in Australia. Broadly, non-residents and temporary residents are allowed to buy new dwellings, off-the-plan homes and vacant land to build on, but not established homes. Foreign purchase of established dwellings is banned from 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2029, and temporary residents are included, with limited exceptions. Rules, fees and exemptions change, so verify the current position at the Foreign Investment Review Board website or with an Australian lawyer.
Breaching these rules can lead to forced sale and penalties, so approval comes before contract, or contracts must be conditional on approval.
Read more (9 more sections)Show less
Where to buy
Our data concentrates on Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, which has 51 listings and a median asking price of €402,855. The area mixes high-rise apartments with holiday rentals and nearby suburban houses.
Other popular markets include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. They hold more total stock, but they are not currently featured in our own city pages. Compare broader options on our countries and cities directories, and use the Australia market analysis for context.
Property types
Houses make up about 89% of listings, usually freestanding homes on their own lot, often with three or four bedrooms. Apartments number 638 and are generally strata-titled, meaning you pay body-corporate levies and share common areas. Land listings (330) can be eligible for foreign purchase if you build within set timeframes.
Check zoning, flood and bushfire overlays, easements, and whether a new home meets the foreign-buyer definition of a "new dwelling".
Buying process
- Apply for FIRB approval where required, or make your contract conditional on approval.
- Engage a conveyancer or solicitor.
- Find a property and make an offer. Methods include private treaty, auction and off-market deals.
- Sign the contract and pay a deposit, commonly 5% to 10%. Auction purchases are unconditional with no cooling-off.
- Cooling-off and searches. Rules differ by state; some states allow a short cooling-off period.
- Settle. Funds are exchanged electronically (PEXA), duty is paid and title is transferred.
Our Australia buying guide gives further detail.
Costs and taxes (approx., verify locally)
Stamp duty is a state tax and foreign buyers often pay a surcharge.
| Cost | Typical level (approx.) |
|---|---|
| FIRB application fee | Scaled by price, from several thousand dollars up |
| State stamp duty | Roughly 3% to 6% depending on state and price |
| Foreign purchaser surcharge | Commonly around 7% to 9% of price, varies by state |
| Conveyancing / legal fees | About A$1,000 to A$3,000 plus disbursements |
| Annual land tax and council rates | Vary by state; foreign owners may pay land tax surcharges |
| Vacancy fee | Foreign-owned homes left empty may attract an annual charge |
Mortgages for foreigners
Australian banks lend to non-residents, but with limits, typically requiring larger deposits (often 30% or more) and strict income verification. Some lenders will not lend to non-residents at all. Rates follow the Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate, with lender margins. Read our Australia financing guide and model payments with the mortgage calculator.
Residency
Buying a home does not create a right to live in Australia. The former investor and significant-investment routes have been restructured, and none depends on property. Seek advice from a registered migration agent for your visa pathway.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stable legal system and strong property rights
- Large detached homes and lifestyle locations
- English-speaking market with transparent title
Cons
- FIRB approval and limits on established homes
- Stamp duty and foreign-buyer surcharges
- Land tax surcharges and vacancy fees
- Distance and currency exposure for overseas owners
Holding costs and exiting
Owning in Australia carries ongoing costs: council rates, water charges, insurance and, in apartments, strata levies. Foreign owners may pay higher land tax in some states, and homes left empty can attract a vacancy charge. Sales by foreign residents trigger capital gains tax and may involve withholding at settlement, so plan your exit before you buy.
Currency matters too. Australian dollar swings against your home currency can add or erase several percentage points of return, so consider keeping rental income in Australia until rates suit you.
Plan your purchase
Browse cheap properties in Australia, value a home with our property valuation tool, or contact our team.
Last updated 8 October 2026
Buying property in Australia: FAQ
Can foreigners buy property in Australia?
Yes, but with approval and limits. Foreign persons generally need FIRB approval and are mainly allowed to buy new dwellings and vacant land. A temporary ban applies to established homes, so verify current rules.
How much do homes cost in Australia?
Current listings on RealEstateAbroad show a median asking price of €428,305, with half between €294,848 and €605,214. Sydney and Melbourne, which we do not currently feature, are generally higher.
What extra taxes do foreign buyers pay?
Each state adds a foreign purchaser stamp duty surcharge, commonly in the 7% to 9% range, and some states levy land tax surcharges and vacancy fees. Rates vary, so check with a conveyancer.
Can I get an Australian mortgage as a non-resident?
Some banks lend, but terms are stricter. Expect deposits of 30% or more and extra income documentation.
Does buying property give me residency?
No. Property purchase does not give a visa. Consult a registered migration agent.
What is a new dwelling for FIRB?
Broadly, a home that has not been previously occupied or sold as a dwelling, or one under construction. The precise definition has conditions, so confirm before signing.
Explore more in Australia
Property types in Australia
- Houses for sale(7,863)
- Apartments for sale(647)
- Land for sale(330)
Budget searches
Popular cities in Australia
- Surfers Paradise(54)