Real Estate

Foreign persons should notify the Government and get prior approval to acquire an interest in certain types of Real Estate. An 'interest' includes buying Real Estate but can also include obtaining or agreeing to enter into a lease, or financing or profit sharing arrangements.

Real Estate covers acquisitions of the following types of properties in Australia:

Residential Real Estate means all land and housing that can be used for residential purposes.  It does not include commercial real estate or rural land.  

The following links provide information and guidance about obtaining FIRB approval to buy residential real estate: 

• Click on the links for information about what a Temporary Resident [PDF 229KB] [RTF 3.2MB] can and cannot buy and what a Non-Resident [PDF 155KB] [RTF 3.2MB] can and cannot buy.
• Further information about what residential real estate you may be eligible to apply for and how to apply can be found at: Residential Real Estate.
• Answers to more specific questions can be found using the search function at: FAQ.

Commercial Real Estate includes developed property and vacant land which is not for residential purposes.

Other types of Real Estate which are similar to residential or commercial real estate but have different characteristics and therefore different notifications requirements.