TaxNav

Interactive foreign buyer tax navigator for Australian property — know every cost before you commit

Step 1

Buyer Status

Step 2

Purchase Purpose

Step 3

State / Territory

Step 4

Purchase Price

Your Tax & Fee Profile

Compliance Complexity: High

FIRB ApprovalRequired

FIRB Application Fee$14,700

Can Buy Established?✗

Stamp Duty Surcharge$68,000 (8%)

Annual Vacancy FeeApplies

Annual Land Tax Surcharge (est.)$20,400/yr

Withholding Tax on Rent32.5%

Effective CGT Rate32.5%

Key Obligations & Warnings

⚠️ Foreign investors cannot purchase established dwellings for investment. You must buy new or off-the-plan, or apply for demolition/rebuild.

⚠️ FIRB approval is required before signing a contract. Apply via firb.gov.au. Processing takes 30-40 business days.

⚠️ Federal vacancy fee applies annually if the property is not occupied or rented for 6+ months per year. State vacancy taxes may also apply (VIC).

⚠️ VIC charges a 8% foreign buyer stamp duty surcharge on top of the base duty.

⚠️ Non-resident rental income is taxed from the first dollar at 32.5% (no tax-free threshold). Negative gearing still applies.

⚠️ Non-residents do not receive the 50% CGT discount. Full capital gain is taxable at marginal rates.

⚠️ Victoria has a Windfall Gains Tax on rezoning gains above $100K. Consider if buying for development.