Note: We confirmed the below information with state government bodies but tax legislation is complicated and changes can occur. We recommend that you contact the government of the state that you're buying in. If still in doubt, get financial advice from an accountant.
Foreign citizens who want to buy or invest in residential property in Victoria (VIC), New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD), South Australia (SA) and Western Australia (WA) will need to pay a stamp duty levy and, in some states, a land tax surcharge.
Which states charge additional duty for foreigners?
In Australia, foreigners are subject to a stamp duty surcharge ranging from 7-8% on top of standard stamp duty rates in some states and territories. The surcharge is typically applied to foreign buyers who are not permanent residents of Australia, including individuals on temporary visas such as student visas or working holiday visas and foreign companies controlled by foreign individuals.
The following states and territories charge additional duty for foreigners.
- New South Wales (NSW)
- Victoria (VIC)
- The Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
- Queensland (QLD)
- South Australia (SA)
- Western Australia (WA)
- Tasmania (TAS)
- Northern Territory (NT)
Check out these structures that minimise the foreign citizen stamp duty surcharge.
Call us on 1300 880 743 (+61 2 9194 1700 if you’re outside Australia) or complete our free assessment form and we can let you know if you qualify for a foreign citizen mortgage.
You may be able to borrow up to 80% of the property value with some of our lenders!
Our 360° Home Loan Assessor can help you understand the specific stamp-duty requirements and obligations that apply to foreign citizens in your target location. By familiarising yourself with these regulations, you can plan your purchase more effectively and avoid any unexpected costs
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Buying A Home in Australia As A Non-Resident
Everything you need to know as a non-resident buying a property in Australia.
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NSW surcharge purchaser duty
How much is the extra tax?
An 8% stamp duty surcharge and a 4% land tax surcharge applies to property purchased in New South Wales.
In addition, foreign citizens are no longer entitled to the 12-month deferral on the payment of stamp duty for off-the-plan purchases of residential property.
Example
Before the 1 July 2017 change, you would have paid $31,490 in stamp duty on an $800,000 property.
You’re now paying $95,767.60, which is a $64,000 increase.
When does it apply?
- You’re a foreign citizen living overseas or temporary resident (See below for exemption for permanent residents, 309 visa, 820 visa, 444 visa, 405 visa, and 410 visa holders).
- You’re buying residential property in the state of NSW. The surcharge doesn’t apply to commercial property.
- You’re applying with a partner who doesn’t have Australian citizenship, PR, or the special NZ 444 visa, in which case they will have to pay stamp duty, but only on their portion.
- You signed the Contract of Sale after 21 June 2016, although this only applies to the stamp duty surcharge. A land tax surcharge also applies to purchases made from 1 January 2017.
- Please refer to the NSW Office of State Revenue website for more information.
When doesn’t it apply?
- You’re an Australian citizen.
- You’re a permanent resident, NZ citizen on a special category 444 visa, or a holder of a 309 visa, 820 visa, 405 visa, or 410 visa (conditions apply; see below).
Can I avoid the duty?
There are some structures or other states in Australia where you may avoid or minimise the foreign citizen duty.
Permanent residents, NZ citizens, 309 visa, 820 visa, 405 visa, or 410 visa holders
Breaking down the 200-day exemption
The rules can be confusing for permanent residents in particular. What is the 200-day rule, and do you meet the requirements to avoid the additional stamp duty?
You must meet either of the following conditions:
- You have lived in Australia for 200 days within the 12 months prior to exchanging contracts (paying the deposit and signing the contract). This does not need to be continuous; you can travel in and out of Australia.
- You will live in the property for 200 days within the 12 months after exchanging contracts. This must be continuous. As it is from the date of exchange, not from settlement, this will not apply to an off-the-plan purchase.
Contact the NSW Office of State Revenue
We strongly recommend that you call the NSW OSR duties hotline at 1300 139 814 or +612 7808 6916 from outside Australia, or email duties@revenue.nsw.gov.au to discuss your situation.
If you need assistance with obtaining a home loan, you can contact our non-resident lending team at 1300 889 743 or +61 2 9194 1700 from outside Australia, or lodge an online enquiry.
Victoria foreign purchase additional duty (FPAD)
How much is the extra tax?
SRO VIC began charging an additional duty of 3% of the property value for contracts signed between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016.
A 7% additional land transfer duty was applied to all property purchased in Victoria from 1 July 2016 onwards.
From 1 July 2019, the additional duty rate is 8 per cent.
From the 2024 land tax year, an absentee owner surcharge of 4% applies to Victorian land owned by an absentee owner. This includes units and houses which have a portion of their value considered as land for tax purposes.
Increased stamp duty is the only surcharge that will apply.
This is an annual fee based on the value of the land you own in Victoria.
Prior to the additional stamp duty changes that came into effect on 1 July 2015, duty in Victoria was applied on a sliding scale, starting at 1.4% for properties valued at $25,000 and rising to 5.5% for properties valued at $960,000 and above. These rates still apply.
Example
For an $800,000 property in Victoria, the normal stamp duty is $43,070. For foreigners and certain visa holders, your stamp duty now shoots up to $107,070 for the same property. That’s $64,000 more!
When does it apply?
- You’re a foreign citizen or temporary resident (including a 457 visa holder). Exception is 444 visa holders.
- You’re buying residential or commercial property in the state of Victoria.
- You’re a New Zealand citizen on a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) and not in the country at the time of the contract exchange.
- You’re applying with a partner that doesn’t have Australian citizenship, PR, or the special NZ visa, in which case they will have to pay stamp duty but only on their portion.
- You signed the Contract of Sale after 1 July 2015.
- Please refer to the State Revenue Office Victoria (SRO Vic) website for more information.
When doesn’t it apply?
- You’re an Australian citizen or a permanent resident.
- You’re a New Zealand citizen on a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) and in the country at the time of contract exchange.
- You’re buying the property in the name of the partner that is either an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or 444 visa holder.
If you are currently a temporary resident and not married to an Australian citizen, consider buying in the Northern Territory or waiting until you become a permanent resident. Discover more.
Contact the VIC State Revenue Office
We strongly recommend that you call the VIC SRO hotline at 13 21 61 or +61 3 9628 0000 from outside Australia, or fill in their contact us form to discuss your situation.
ACT foreign ownership surcharge
Starting 1 July 2018, foreign investors in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) will pay an extra 0.75 per cent in land tax on top of any land tax you may already pay.
How much is the extra tax?
A 0.75% land tax surcharge applies to the unimproved value of a residential property in the ACT.
When does it apply?
- You’re a foreign citizen or temporary resident (including a 457 visa holder). Exception: 444 visa holders are exempt.
- You’re buying residential property in WA. The surcharge doesn’t apply to commercial property, residential developments (10 or more properties), or mixed-use properties primarily used for commercial purposes.
- You’re applying with a partner who doesn’t have Australian citizenship, PR, or the special NZ visa; they will pay stamp duty only on their portion.
- You signed the Contract of Sale after 1 January 2019.
- For more information, refer to the ACT Revenue Office website.
When doesn’t it apply?
- You’re an Australian citizen, NZ citizen on a special category 444 visa, or a permanent resident.
- You’re a foreign citizen, but the ACT home is your principal place of residence.
- You’re buying the property in the name of a partner who is either an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or 444 visa holder.
- You’re living in Australia on a partner visa (subclass 309 or 820).
If you are a temporary resident not married to an Australian citizen, consider buying in the Northern Territory or wait until you obtain permanent residency. Discover more.
Contact the ACT Revenue Office
We strongly recommend calling the ACT Revenue Office hotline at (02) 6207 0028 or filling out their contact us form to discuss your situation.
QLD additional foreign acquirer duty (AFAD)
How much is the extra tax?
An 8% stamp duty surcharge and a 3% absentee land tax surcharge applies to properties in Queensland.
The absentee tax applies to foreign individuals who do not ordinarily reside in Australia.
You’ll be considered an absentee if you:
- Were away from Australia at 30 June or;
- Have been away from Australia for more than 6 months in total during a financial year.
It no longer applies to Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents living or working overseas.
In addition to this, the surcharge only applies to freehold land that has a total taxable value of $350,000 or more.
An additional new 2% land tax surcharge has been introduced on foreign companies and trusts from 30 June 2019.
Please refer to the QLD government website for more specific guidance.
Example
Previously, your stamp duty would have been $21,850 on an $800,000 property.
You’re now paying $77,850, which is a $56,000 increase.
When does it apply?
- You’re a foreign citizen or temporary resident (including a 457 visa holder). Exception if you’re a 444 visa holder.
- You’re buying residential property in the state of Queensland. The surcharge doesn’t apply to commercial property.
- You’re applying with a partner that doesn’t have Australian citizenship, PR, or the special NZ visa, in which case they will have to pay stamp duty but only on their portion.
- You signed the Contract of Sale after 1 October 2016.
- Please refer to the QLD Office of State Revenue website for more information.
When doesn’t it apply?
- You’re an Australian citizen, permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen on a Special Category Visa (subclass 444).
- You’re buying the property in the name of a partner who is either an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or 444 visa holder.
Note: The QLD state revenue office will still apply the surcharge if they find that you traveled to Australia solely for the purpose of purchasing a property, meaning you need to be living and working in Australia.
If you are currently a temporary resident and not married to an Australian citizen, consider buying in the Northern Territory or wait until you become a permanent resident. Discover more.
Contact the QLD Office of State Revenue
We strongly recommend that you call the QLD OSR hotline on 1300 300 734 (Australia) or +61 7 3179 2500 (if you’re calling from overseas), or fill in their online enquiry form before purchasing a property in QLD.
SA additional foreign acquirer duty (AFAD)
How much is the extra tax?
SRO VIC began charging an additional duty of 3% of the property value for contracts signed between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016.
A 7% additional land transfer duty was applied to all property purchased in Victoria from 1 July 2016 onwards.
From 1 July 2019, the additional duty rate is 8 per cent.
From the 2024 land tax year, an absentee owner surcharge of 4% applies to Victorian land owned by an absentee owner. This includes units and houses which have a portion of their value considered as land for tax purposes.
Increased stamp duty is the only surcharge that will apply.
This is an annual fee based on the value of the land you own in Victoria.
Prior to the additional stamp duty changes that came into effect on 1 July 2015, duty in Victoria was applied on a sliding scale, starting at 1.4% for properties valued at $25,000 and rising to 5.5% for properties valued at $960,000 and above. These rates still apply.
Example
For an $800,000 property in Victoria, the normal stamp duty is $43,070. For foreigners and certain visa holders, your stamp duty now shoots up to $107,070 for the same property. That’s $64,000 more!
When does it apply?
- You’re a foreign citizen or temporary resident (including a 457 visa holder). Exception is 444 visa holders.
- You’re buying residential or commercial property in the state of Victoria.
- You’re a New Zealand citizen on a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) and not in the country at the time of the contract exchange.
- You’re applying with a partner that doesn’t have Australian citizenship, PR, or the special NZ visa, in which case they will have to pay stamp duty but only on their portion.
- You signed the Contract of Sale after 1 July 2015.
- Please refer to the State Revenue Office Victoria (SRO Vic) website for more information.
When doesn’t it apply?
- You’re an Australian citizen or a permanent resident.
- You’re a New Zealand citizen on a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) and in the country at the time of contract exchange.
- You’re buying the property in the name of the partner that is either an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or 444 visa holder.
If you are currently a temporary resident and not married to an Australian citizen, consider buying in the Northern Territory or waiting until you become a permanent resident. Discover more.
Contact the VIC State Revenue Office
We strongly recommend that you call the VIC SRO hotline at 13 21 61 or +61 3 9628 0000 from outside Australia, or fill in their contact us form to discuss your situation.
WA foreign buyers duty
How much is the extra tax?
A 7% foreign citizen stamp duty surcharge applies to contracts signed after 1 January 2019.
Please refer to the Western Australia Department of Finance for more specific guidance.
When does it apply?
- You’re a foreign citizen or temporary resident (including a 457 visa holder). Exception is 444 visa holders.
- You’re buying residential property in the state of WA.
- You are buying vacant or substantially vacant land.
- You are buying commercial property that you intend to turn into a residence, such as a warehouse or factory.
- You are buying a partially-constructed residence that you intend to complete.
- You are applying with a partner that does not have Australian citizenship, PR, or the special 444 visa, in which case they will have to pay stamp duty but only on their portion.
- You signed the Contract of Sale after 1 January 2019.
When doesn’t it apply?
- You are an Australian citizen, a NZ citizen on a special category 444 visa, or you are a permanent resident.
- You are in the country at the time of contract exchange and settlement.
- You are buying the property in the name of the partner that is either an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or 444 visa holder.
- You are living in Australia on a partner visa (subclass 309 or 820).
- You are purchasing a commercial property that you intend to use for commercial purposes.
- You are purchasing an aged care facility.
- You are purchasing land that is intended to be used solely or dominantly for the purposes of a retirement village as defined in the Retirement Villages Act 1992.
- You are purchasing any other mixed-use property that is primarily used for commercial purposes.
- You are purchasing a residential development (10 or more properties).
If you are currently a temporary resident and not married to an Australian citizen, consider buying in the Northern Territory or wait until you become a permanent resident. Discover more.
Contact the WA Department of Finance
We recommend getting in touch directly with the WA Department of Finance by calling them on +61 8 9262 1100 (if you’re overseas) or 1300 368 364; or make a duties enquiry directly before purchasing a property in WA.
TAS surcharge purchaser duty
How much is the extra tax?
An 8% Foreign Investor Duty Surcharge (FIDS) applies for purchases of residential property, while a 1.5% surcharge applies for purchases of primary production land in Tasmania.
Example
Before the 1 July 2018 change, you would have paid $22,497.50 in stamp duty on a $600,000 property.
You’re now paying $70,497.50, which is a $48,000 increase.
When does it apply?
- You’re a foreign citizen or temporary resident (including a 457 visa holder). Exception is 444 visa holders.
- You’re buying residential property or primary production land in the state of TAS. The surcharge doesn’t apply to other commercial property.
- You’re applying with a partner that doesn’t have Australian citizenship, PR, or the special NZ visa; they will pay stamp duty only on their portion.
- You signed the Contract of Sale after 1 July 2018.
- Please refer to the State Revenue Office of Tasmania for more information.
When doesn’t it apply?
- You’re an Australian citizen, permanent resident, a NZ citizen on a special category 444 visa, or you’re a permanent resident.
- You’re in the country at the time of contract exchange and settlement.
- You’re buying the property in the name of the partner who is either an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or 444 visa holder.
- You’re living in Australia on a partner visa (subclass 309 or 820).
If you are currently a temporary resident and not married to an Australian citizen, consider buying in the Northern Territory or waiting until you become a permanent resident. Discover more.
Contact the TAS State Revenue Office
We strongly recommend calling the TAS SRO hotline on 03 6166 4400 or emailing dutyhelp@treasury.tas.gov.au to discuss your situation.
NT surcharge purchaser duty
At this time, there is no foreign citizen stamp duty for the Northern Territory.
How to avoid or minimise the stamp duty surcharge
Please note that this is a complex topic, and it’s important that you seek advice from the appropriate professional before making any decisions on your structure.
Is your partner an Australian citizen?
If your partner is an Aussie citizen or a permanent resident visa holder, you may be able to buy the property in their name and have the mortgage in both names.
In some cases, this may also allow you to avoid the requirement to get Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval.
This arrangement works well if you’re living in Australia, but not so well if you’re living overseas.
The reason is that lenders generally only accept this structure for high-net-worth borrowers.
Ultimately, if you buy in joint names, you’d only pay foreign citizen stamp duty on the portion that the non-Australian owns.
Our non-resident lending team can let you know if a lender will allow you to buy with this structure. Please call them on 1300 889 743 or +61 2 9194 1700 from outside Australia, or lodge an online enquiry.
Consider buying land and then building
You only pay stamp duty on the value of the land, not on the cost of construction.
This significantly reduces your liability.
Few lenders offer construction loans to foreign citizens living overseas, but building loans are available to foreign citizens living in Australia with a temporary residency visa.
If you need assistance with obtaining a mortgage, you can contact our non-resident lending team at 1300 889 743 or +61 2 9194 1700 from outside Australia, or lodge an online enquiry.
Buy in Northern Territory
As mentioned previously, not all states apply a foreign citizen surcharge on stamp duty and land tax.
To avoid these surcharges, you may consider buying in the ACT before they take effect, or you can buy in the NT where surcharges do not currently apply.
No matter when you decide to purchase property in Australia, you’ll still need to get FIRB approval, but this is usually not a major cost or hassle.
If you’re considering buying in a state that you’re not familiar with, we can put you in touch with a buyers agent.
Are other states planning to introduce the higher duty?
Northern Territory is the only state free of both a stamp duty surcharge and land tax hike, for now.
It’s unclear whether these states will follow suit purely because average property prices in these states are lower: the amount of revenue other states can expect to generate pales in comparison to QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC and, to a lesser extent, SA and WA.
However, we expect that they will consider introducing it if the level of foreign investment increases.
Why did NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD, SA, WA and TAS do this?
When explaining its reason for introducing the higher duty, the Victorian government said that it was only fair that foreign investors pay their fair share to fund government services and infrastructure.
QLD, NSW and SA made similar announcements, with figures of up to $1 billion in revenue-raising being bandied about.
ACT was next to follow, then, WA and TAS.
Most foreign investors aren’t fazed by the higher costs of buying a property and investment is still strong.
When can I apply for FHOG after getting PR?
Waiting for PR in order to avoid the foreign citizen stamp duty?
You can apply for a first home owners grant (FHOG) with your state right away as long as you can provide evidence of your Permanent Residency certificate or Permanent Resident visa.
Find out when to apply for the FHOG during the home buying process and when you will receive payment from your state revenue office by checking out the first home owners grant guide page.
Do you need a non-resident mortgage?
Are you a foreign citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident or New Zealand citizen in need of a mortgage?
The Australian government has long had a love/hate relationship with foreign investors and rules and regulations for buying real estate change on a regular basis.
This also extends to bank and lender policy, from how much you can borrow to what type of non-residents can actually qualify for a mortgage.
Not all lenders are the same!
We’re experts in non-resident mortgages and can navigate this policy minefield so you have the best chance of qualifying for a mortgage in Australia!
Call us on 1300 889 743 (+61 2 9194 1700 if you’re outside Australia) or fill in our free assessment form to speak with one of our mortgage brokers.