FIRB: About: Residential Real Estate
From ‘About-FIRB’
Under Australia’s foreign investment framework, foreign persons generally need to apply for foreign investment approval before purchasing residential real estate in Australia.
The Government’s policy is to channel foreign investment into new dwellings as this creates additional jobs in the construction industry and helps support economic growth. It can also increase government revenues, in the form of stamp duties and other taxes, and from the overall higher economic growth that flows from additional investment.
CAAN: However there are ways and means for Temp. Visa holders to get around this restriction of ‘new homes’ including buying an established property; then demolishing it (including Australian Heritage Homes) for a ‘new home’!
Foreign buyers can even apply for a Permanent Resident Visa in their own country before flying to Australia to buy our Real Estate!
The Guardian Visa allows the Guardian and the Child to buy one established home each or several ‘new homes’ each
SEARCH to find out more on our Website!
Foreign investment applications are therefore generally considered in light of the overarching principle that the proposed investment should increase Australia’s housing stock (be creating at least one new additional dwelling).
Consistent with this aim, different factors apply depending on whether the type of property being acquired will increase the housing stock or whether it is an established dwelling.
The annual vacancy fee is part of the Government’s comprehensive housing affordability plan and seeks to increase the number of properties available for Australians to live in. Foreign persons who purchase residential real estate will be subject to an annual vacancy fee where the property is not residentially occupied or rented out for more than six months in a year.
It is important that foreign investors understand and comply with Australia’s foreign investment framework as strict criminal and civil penalties may apply for breaches of the law, including disposal orders.
CAAN: Only a minimal number of these properties have been disposed of!
Guidance
- Residential real estate – overview
- Residential real estate – temporary residents
- Residential real estate – foreign non-residents
- Residential real estate – exemptions
- Residential real estate – Australian corporations, trusts and other persons
- Residential real estate – established dwellings for redevelopment
- Residential real estate – established dwellings for Australian-based employees
- Residential real estate – new dwelling exemption certificates
- Residential real estate – established dwelling exemption certificates
- Residential real estate – variations
- Residential real estate – penalties and offences for non-compliance
- Residential real estate – infringement notices
- Residential real estate – third party penalties
- Residential real estate – annual vacancy fee
COMMUNITY ACTION ALLIANCE FOR NSW (CAAN): HOUSING INEQUALITY WITH AUSSIES LOCKED OUT! 