Last reviewed: October 2026
You can buy an Australian property without setting foot in Australia. Contracts are signed electronically, identity is verified remotely, funds are transferred by bank, and settlement takes place online. What you cannot do safely is sign first and ask questions later. For overseas buyers, the order of steps matters more than for anyone else.
We act for buyers from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and across Asia, mainly on Victorian property, and coordinate with trusted practitioners for purchases in other states.
Before you sign: five checks
Foreign investment approval. Unless you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you will need approval, and you cannot buy an established home until at least 30 June 2029. See our FIRB approval guide.
Who will own it. Personal name, joint names, company or trust. This decides stamp duty, land tax surcharges and what happens if you die or separate. See our guide to holding Australian property.
Finance. Many Australian lenders restrict lending to non-residents. If you need a loan, get pre-approval before signing, not after.
The contract and vendor disclosure. In Victoria, the vendor must give a Section 32 statement disclosing title, planning, owners corporation and outgoings. We review both documents before you sign.
The full cost. Purchase price, ordinary stamp duty, foreign purchaser surcharge, FIRB fee, legal fees and ongoing land tax surcharge.
Buying off the plan
Off-the-plan apartments are the most common purchase for foreign buyers, because new dwellings remain open to them. They carry particular risks:
Sunset clauses. If the building is not finished by a set date, the contract can be ended. In Victoria, developers generally need the buyer’s consent or a court order to rely on this.
Changes to the plan. Floor area, layout and finishes can change. The contract should limit how much.
Valuation shortfall. By completion, the property may be valued below the price. A lender will lend on the valuation, not the price, and you must make up the difference.
Deposit security. Your deposit (often 10%) should be held in a trust account or secured by a deposit bond, not released to the developer.
Foreign buyer approval for the development. Check whether the developer holds an exemption certificate covering foreign buyers, or whether you need your own approval.
Signing and settling from overseas
Verification of identity. Australian lenders and the land registry require strict identity checks. These can be done by video, or through a notary or Australian consulate overseas. Our firm’s notary can also certify Australian documents for use abroad.
Signing. Most contracts can be signed electronically. Where wet-ink signatures are needed, we arrange certified execution overseas.
Power of attorney. If you will be unavailable at settlement, a properly drafted power of attorney lets someone in Australia act for you.
Funds. Allow time for international transfers and bank compliance checks. Late funds on settlement day can mean penalty interest under the contract.
Settlement. Settlement is electronic in most states. We handle it and confirm registration of your title.
When you sell
Foreign residents selling Australian property face capital gains tax without the main residence exemption, and the buyer must withhold 15% of the price and remit it to the ATO unless a clearance certificate applies. Plan for this when you buy, not when you sell.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fly to Australia to buy property? No. Identity checks, signing and settlement can all be done remotely.
Can I use my Singapore or Malaysian bank account to pay? Yes, but allow time for transfers and compliance checks, and confirm your bank’s limits early.
What is a Section 32 statement? The Victorian vendor’s disclosure statement. It must be given before you sign and should be reviewed by a lawyer.
Is off-the-plan safe for foreign buyers? It can be, if the contract is reviewed, the deposit is protected, and you have planned for finance and a possible valuation shortfall.
Contact us. Send us the contract before you sign. Book an initial consultation and we will review it and set out the steps and costs for your purchase.
Related reading: FIRB approval guide (read the guide); Holding Australian property through trusts and companies (read the guide).
This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Figures and rules are as at October 2026 and change regularly.
Justin Chua (蔡智勋), lawyer and mediator, Chua Tan Associates, Melbourne. General information only, not legal advice.
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