Australian Invest
- Foreign non-residents can purchase newly constructed or off-the-plan properties.
- FIRB approval is required before purchase, regardless of value.
- This is the clearest and most encouraged property pathway for foreigners.
- Non-residents generally cannot purchase established/existing homes.
- Exceptions exist for temporary residents (with conditions).
- Purchasing jointly with an Australian citizen spouse typically bypasses FIRB requirements.
- FIRB approval required for all foreign buyers, regardless of value.
- Normally approved subject to a development condition (must be built within a set period).
- Developed commercial property (offices, factories, retail, hotels): approval required above AUD $339 million.
- Vacant commercial land: approval required at $0 threshold — all foreign buyers must apply.
- Heritage-listed commercial real estate: lower threshold of AUD $5 million applies.
- FIRB approval required when the cumulative value of agricultural land owned by the foreign investor (including the proposed purchase) exceeds AUD $15 million.
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An Australian passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 196 countries worldwide.
Australia actively welcomes foreign investment as a key driver of economic growth. The country offers a stable democracy, transparent legal system, strong trade links, and a business-friendly regulatory environment. However, all foreign investment is regulated under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (FATA) and overseen by the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), with the Australian Treasurer holding final approval authority.
A.Real Estate Investment
- Foreign non-residents can purchase newly constructed or off-the-plan properties.
- FIRB approval is required before purchase, regardless of value.
- This is the clearest and most encouraged property pathway for foreigners.
- Non-residents generally cannot purchase established/existing homes.
- Exceptions exist for temporary residents (with conditions).
- Purchasing jointly with an Australian citizen spouse typically bypasses FIRB requirements.
- FIRB approval required for all foreign buyers, regardless of value.
- Normally approved subject to a development condition (must be built within a set period).
- Developed commercial property (offices, factories, retail, hotels): approval required above AUD $339 million.
- Vacant commercial land: approval required at $0 threshold — all foreign buyers must apply.
- Heritage-listed commercial real estate: lower threshold of AUD $5 million applies.
- FIRB approval required when the cumulative value of agricultural land owned by the foreign investor (including the proposed purchase) exceeds AUD $15 million.
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B.Business Investment
- Foreign investors can own, start, or acquire businesses in Australia.
- FIRB approval is required when the acquisition value exceeds the screening threshold (updated annually; previously ~AUD $310 million for general business acquisitions).
- Certain sectors always require approval regardless of value:
- Defence
- Telecommunications
- Data infrastructure
- Critical minerals
- Transport infrastructure (assessed under national security rules)
- Foreign investors may buy shares in ASX-listed and private Australian companies.
- Approval thresholds and rules apply depending on sector and company type.
- From 1 January 2026, a broad range of business acquisitions are now also subject to mandatory ACCC merger review (on top of FIRB).
- Special, generally lower thresholds apply.
- Cumulative investment amounts are tracked to prevent threshold circumvention.
- Developed commercial property (offices, factories, retail, hotels): approval required above AUD $339 million.
- Vacant commercial land: approval required at $0 threshold — all foreign buyers must apply.
- Heritage-listed commercial real estate: lower threshold of AUD $5 million applies.
C.Financial Markets & Managed Funds
ASX-Listed Shares & ETFs
- Foreigners can invest in Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) listed securities.
- No FIRB approval needed for regular portfolio investments below ownership thresholds (~20%).
- FIRB approval required if investment constitutes a "substantial interest" (generally 20%+ of a company).
- Open to foreign investors through Australian-registered fund managers.
- Often used as the complying investment vehicle for visa-related investments.
Corporate Bonds & Fixed Income
- Foreign investors can hold Australian corporate bonds and government bonds.
- Commonly used as part of the Significant Investor Visa complying investment framework.
- Available to foreign investors.
- A key component of Australia's investor visa investment mix, particularly for start-ups and small private companies.
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Investment Visas & Immigration Pathways
⚠️ Note: Several major investor visa pathways were closed in 2024–2025. Below is the current status as of 2026.
Pathways to Permanent Residency & Citizenship
Stage Timeframe
Investment / visa grant Day 1
Temporary residency (where applicable) Up to 5–8 years
Permanent Residency (PR) Varies by visa stream
Citizenship eligibility After ~4 years total residency (including 1 year as PR)
- Australian PR holders must live in Australia for at least 2 years in every 5-year period.
- An Australian passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 196 countries worldwide.
Tax Considerations for Foreign Investors
- Tax residents (domicile in Australia or 183+ days/year): taxed on worldwide income
- Temporary visa holders: generally taxed as temporary residents — foreign-source income may not be taxed in Australia
- Non-residents: taxed only on Australian-sourced income
- Capital Gains Tax (CGT): Australian assets are subject to CGT; tax residents holding assets for 12+ months may receive a 50% CGT discount
- Withholding tax: Property sales over AUD $750,000 trigger a 12.5% withholding tax for foreign sellers
- Progressive income tax rates up to 45%; additional 2% levy applies on income above AUD $180,000
- Always seek advice from a qualified Australian tax adviser or accountant
Key Steps for a Foreign Investor
- Determine your investment type (property, business, shares, funds)
- Check if FIRB approval is required based on your asset type and value
- Assess your visa needs — do you want to live in Australia, or invest from abroad?
- Engage professionals — Advisors,immigration lawyer, tax adviser, and local legal counsel
- Submit FIRB application via the Foreign Investment Portal (if required)
- Submit visa Expression of Interest (EOI) if applying for residency
- Complete your investment after receiving approvals
- Register your ownership on the Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets (if required)
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Last updated: April 2026