Yes, but with rules. Non-residents need FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board) approval before purchase, generally restricted to new-build / off-the-plan stock (not established homes). Established-home access exists for temporary residents holding a 12-month+ visa, with an obligation to sell within 6 months of departure. Stamp-duty surcharge of +8% stacks on top of standard duty. Rules tightened materially in April 2025.
Australia restricts foreign property purchase through the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), with separate rules for non-residents, temporary residents, and permanent residents / citizens. Hyperlocal does not provide migration or financial advice — the summary below is from FIRB's published policy as of 2025; always verify with a specialist before committing.
Non-residents (no Australian visa or holding a short-stay visa under 12 months): must apply for FIRB approval before signing a contract. Approval is generally granted only for NEW-build property (off-the-plan or first sale) — established homes are restricted to ensure the investment increases housing supply rather than competing with local first-home buyers.
Temporary residents (student visa, 482 / 485 / 491 / 489 visa holders, etc.): may purchase ONE established home as a principal place of residence with FIRB approval. The home must be sold within 6 months of leaving Australia or losing temporary-resident status. New-build purchase is also available without the resale obligation.
Permanent residents and Australian citizens: no FIRB requirement. Treated as domestic buyers.
Stamp-duty surcharge: foreign buyers pay an additional 8% Foreign Purchaser Additional Duty in Victoria on top of standard stamp duty. On a A$1M Melbourne house, that's A$80,000 additional — typically the deal-breaker that pushes foreign-buyer demand into new-build apartment stock where the surcharge applies but the base price is lower. In SGD/USD terms (mid-2025 reference rates around A$1 ≈ SGD0.86 ≈ USD0.66): the +8% on a A$1M property is roughly +SGD68,000 / +USD53,000 of pure transaction tax, on top of standard duty. Run the live FX translation closer to settlement — currency moves of ±5% are common across a 12-month off-the-plan timeline.
April 2025 tightening: The federal government announced (April 2025) a two-year ban on foreign-resident purchase of established homes, with limited exceptions, plus increased FIRB application fees and stricter vacancy taxes on foreign-held stock left unoccupied. The exact regulatory shape is still being implemented — verify the current state with FIRB before relying on this paragraph.
Practical implication for prospective foreign buyers: the realistic Melbourne purchase pathway in 2025 is NEW-build apartment stock in established corridors. Hyperlocal's investor lens flags which apartment-heavy suburbs have absorbed their 2018–2024 supply (Box Hill, Footscray) vs. those still working through it (parts of Docklands, Southbank).
What we don't claim: any visa or migration outcome. The property pathway is one input among several; please consult a registered migration agent for visa implications.
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Box Hill Central + hospital + TAFE anchor daytime buzz year-round
Little Saigon market + 100+ Vietnamese/African eateries; Hopkins St cafes booming since 2022
Resales lag CBD by 8–12% — same square metre, weaker demand
NGV + Arts Centre at the door; tram 1/55/58/96 all converge
Westfield Southland + Frankston line; Cheltenham to CBD 30 min express
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