Overseas investment regulations

The Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) is responsible for evaluating proposals by foreign interests wishing to make direct investment in Australia. The Board makes recommendations to the Government according to the Government’s foreign investment policy.

The policy, in regard to the purchase of Australian property, holds that such purchases must increase the supply of houses and not be speculative in nature.

For this reason, only Australian citizens, those with Australian residency and New Zealand citizens may purchase property in Australia. Everyone else must first obtain permission from the Foreign Investment Review Board and approval to purchase Australian property is dependent on the meeting of certain conditions.

Certain acquisitions of commercial real estate in Australia (for example, a medical practice) also require approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board.

The Foreign Investment Review Board website has a PDF brochure on buying a home in Australia that gives you a brief overview of the regulations.

The FIRB website also has a list of frequently asked questions that may be of interest.

For more information about housing in Australia, you can refer to the Information for families section of this website.