Can an International student in Western Australia buy a property ?

Question

Can an International student in Western Australia buy a property ?

Answer 1

There are tough laws about overseas ownership of property in WA.

usually home ownership is reserved for permanent residents.

If you are buying the house to personally live in then you can but you cannot rent it out. you may be forced to sell it when you finish studying and return home.

Answer 2

The rules by the Australian Government for buying real estate in Australia, homes or investment properties for overseas investors have been made easier. However, before buying land, home, or commercial real estate as an overseas investor, you will need to obtain an approval from the Government in Australia.There are reasons for this. The government has stated it wishes to increase the number of new houses, condominiums, townhouses, villas, units and apartments being built in this country, and is inviting overseas investors to invest in Australia.

If you wish to purchase open land, you will need to start building within twelve months, continuous. Foreign Investors can also buy existing homes for redevelopment but the home will need to be unoccupied during the work. They are usually able to get approval to buy units, apartments, townhouses, condominiums and other similar residential properties. They must be new, having never been occupied or sold, or those in the planning stages - termed ‘buying off the plan’ in Australia. The other limit is that only 50% of the new development can be purchased by overseas investors.

You may also be able to purchase after obtaining approval if you are a foreign national resident in this country for more than twelve months. You will need to supply the address of the residential property you wish to purchase. If you sign any contracts before the Australian Government has given approval - you will be turned down.

Foreign investors cannot obtain ‘in-principle-approval’. Therefore, do not sign any contracts unless they specifically state it is conditional upon approval from the Australian Government.

Do not get caught out by signing a contract before approval, or get talked into signing before approval for you to invest there.