Buying a property in Australia is a major investment. Many significant costs will apply, such as paying various taxes and fees. Some fees that may be incurred when buying Australian property will increase the cost of house purchases to a certain extent, not only in money but also time. Therefore, all costs involved in buying Australian real estate should be considered in advance to avoid unexpected financial constraints as much as possible. In addition to the standard fees and costs of buying property in Australia, this comes with a number of holding costs. These costs generally include overseas buyer fees (FIRB), stamp duty, lawyers’ expenses, real estate loan institution costs, housing property insurance premiums, market capacity construction fees, sewage costs, land taxes, or property fees. 1. Overseas buyer fees (FIRB) For overseas people, the Foreign Investment Review Board Australia applies an overseas buyer fee, which is a cost that must be calculated when buying property in Australia. According to the current regulations, foreigners (referring to those who have not yet obtained Australian permanent residence) wanting to buy buildings in Australia must get FIRB approval by filling in a residential real estate application form and paying the application fee. Residential real estate that overseas people can apply for in Australia includes new housing, secondhand housing (with restrictions), redevelopment of a property, housing, and idle residential land. 2. Stamp duty Australian governments levy stamp duty on buying real estate, but some states and territories will also charge stamp duty surcharges for overseas buyers who want to buy property in Australia. Taking Melbourne as an example, it is 8%. However, compared to Singapore and Vancouver, which levy 20% surcharges on foreign buyers, the foreign stamp duty surcharge for Australian property does not seem so high. In addition, buyers who purchase land house projects in Australia can sometimes save stamp duty. 3. Conveyancing fees The legal transfer of property ownership in Australia and the right to real estate ownership is generally carried out by a lawyer who handles the property transfer certificate. Individuals have no way to handle it. Therefore, the cost of lawyers is also an inevitable procedure fee. Every time you buy a building in Australia, lawyers are required to participate. 4. Mortgage broker fee Generally speaking, paying for loans before buying an Australian property is unnecessary, but this may involve account opening costs and other related handling fees. Customers may opt for specific interest rates and expenses according to their needs and then choose the institutions they want to receive their loans from. The mortgage consultant will also give relevant professional advice. 5. Insurance To prevent any damage and loss of property after buying an Australian home, the buyer can consider purchasing this insurance to ensure that the inside of the house is guaranteed. Management generally bears the cost of insurance outside the house, and the owner does not need to pay. 6. City capacity construction costs, sewerage costs, and land tax (council, water, and land tax rates) Buying a house and townhouse in Australia will generally involve city capacity construction costs, sewerage costs and land taxes, usually charged quarterly. Generally speaking, a municipal fee is required every year after buying a property in Australia, especially a house, which can vary depending on the government. The landlord or agency generally pays the sewerage fee. The land tax is different according to the evaluation value of the land. If the buyer is overseas, there is an additional tax rate. 7. Body Corporate Pay attention when buying buildings in Australia because apartments will charge property management fees. However, the land tax and municipal expenses of these types of properties are relatively low. The property management fee of Australia is collected according to the types of public facilities provided by the property. If the facilities are perfect and include things like a gym or swimming pool, these will be relatively high. 8. Property Management Fees Allowing leasing agencies to take care of the property can effectively ensure collecting and paying various housing expenses. Even if the landlord is overseas, they are exempted from these worries after buying an Australian property. Generally, the management fee for a long-term rental ranges from 5.5% to 8.8% of the rent. The agency will give the owners a detailed list of expenditures to avoid confusion. What are the specific processes for buying property in Australia? Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

In 2023, an unprecedented tide of studying abroad swept Australia again. After the pandemic suppressed studying abroad for 3 years, the Australian border reopened. In fact, not only are international students pouring into Australia, but many new immigrants are coming too. Under such circumstances, the problem of accommodating international students in Australia has become a top priority. In particular, the current rental market in major cities in Australia is hot, and the Australian media has described a “rental crisis.” Since the beginning of 2023, tens of thousands of international students have been searching for houses to accommodate them. Many international students have applied for more than a dozen houses and have not been selected for any of them. They are worried that one day they may face the embarrassment of “living on the street”. Because of this, the phrase “in support of houses” has been common among Australian international students. As a result, many international students and their parents are choosing to buy property in Australia, and there are many unexpected benefits. 1. What are the advantages of “in support of houses” in Australia? Today, when globalisation is deepening, each of us can choose to go to any of our ideal countries to study and live, and immigrants have become more and more normal. However, not every country has multiple attractions like Australia. There are many benefits to studying in Australia. Although the United States, Canada, Western Europe and other countries, for example, are also popular destinations for studying abroad, the threshold for home buying is high. Taking the United States as an example, every state in the US levies real estate taxes every year. The tax rate is generally 1% to 3%. A property with a market value of 3 million Hong Kong dollars pays at least HK$30,000 a year. In addition, the cost of subsequent housing is high, and it is relatively difficult to rent and transfer property ownership. Australia is different. First, the Australian real estate market is very active, with high rental returns, and the vacancy rate is below 2%. In 2023, due to the popularity of Australian immigrants and the study-abroad market, the vacancy rate further dropped to less than 1%. It can be said that the Australian rental market has provided a high rental return on the rental market all year round. Secondly, real estate in Australia has the advantages of low down payments for new houses, permanent property rights, no inheritance tax, rental potential, real estate transactions and investment in the legal system. If you want to start a business in Australia, you can also use a real estate mortgage loan. 2. Can international students buy property in Australia? One of the benefits of studying in Australia is that international students can buy property in Australia. But if you want to apply for loans, proof of income is necessary. Although international students have no or less income, they can use their parents as guarantors to guarantee loans with the guarantor’s income. Of course, the house will be in their parents’ names. 3. What are the choices for Australian students to buy property? Regardless of whether or not international students have a temporary visa that allows them to stay in Australia for more than 12 months, they can apply for FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board) to obtain approval and purchase land for building houses, buy new houses, etc. The same applies whether they are buying for self-occupation or overseas property investment in Australia. Unless the developer has obtained the FIRB “New Dwelling Exempting Certification”, it is generally necessary to apply for FIRB approval separately whether you are buying a new or a secondhand house. 4. How much is the cost of studying in Australia? Take the accommodation fee for four years in Australia as an example. One choice is to buy Australian property, and the other is to rent a house. Many parents think it is not much different, but this gap will become more obvious over time. If you choose to buy, although you need to invest some funds to start (such as a down payment and stamp duty), the rental income and the increase in value of the house itself will eventually benefit the buyer. After studying in Australia, you can not only live in your own property but also earn rent. The most important thing is that you can use the building to make overseas asset allocations in advance and enjoy the dividend of market growth. Many parents send their children to study in Australia. The ultimate goal is to make plans for immigrants. Buying buildings in Australia is even better. Otherwise, the more expensive property prices will be wasted for several years. I have recently calculated the investment value of Mr Wang, a client. Mr Wang’s daughter began to study at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, in February 2023. Currently, his daughter rents a 2-bedroom apartment with her classmates for $18,720 a year. Assuming that the rental price does not rise in the next few years, the accommodation fee for four years will be $74,880. However, suppose Mr Wang purchased a set of two-bedroom properties worth about $700,000 Australian dollars (about 3.8 million Hong Kong dollars) in Melbourne, Australia. In that case, his daughter could live in one bedroom and rent the other. That way, she could save her 4-year rental fee. In four years, rent can also be collected to offset some loans. 5. Can Australia’s “in support of houses” achieve zero costs to study abroad? If you buy real estate in Australia when you start studying here, by the time international students graduate, the value will increase. If you choose high-quality real estate, the house value can even pay for your tuition whilst studying in Australia. For families with a sufficient budget, rent can be a rich “cash flow” for children, enough to pay their living expenses and parts of their Australian tuition fees. However, achieving zero costs through overseas property investment in Australia is not achievable by everyone, and the feasibility varies from person to person. The key is to find professionals who are very familiar with Australia’s real estate rules and industry. Buying a high-quality property is not enough if you buy it with your eyes closed. 6. Can Hong Kong assets be used for a mortgage to buy a house in Australia? When buying a property in Australia, you may require a mortgage to purchase real estate. If you have assets in Hong Kong, this will make for a more convincing case when applying for a mortgage, but your assets in Hong Kong are “adequate and non-necessary conditions.” In fact, if the buyer can make the first payment of the property price of more than 30% at one time, Australian financial institutions will already be confident in your financial ability. 7. Can international students buy Australian secondhand houses? According to FIRB’s regulations, international students hold a 500 study visa (allowing them to stay legally in Australia) and are temporary residents of Australia. Therefore, they can buy a secondhand house for self-residential purposes (that is, the resident must use this property as their main residence in Australia). But you need to pay attention because: a. You must sell the property within three months of visa expiry or departure (that is, sell this property within 3 months after the resident stops using the property as their main residence) unless you become an Australian citizen or permanent resident. b. All international students must apply for FIRB, and the application fee differs according to house prices. c. Do not rent or sub-rent, otherwise, it violates the FIRB regulations (that is, the resident may not rent this property or part of it out to a third party). After the international student visa expires, if the secondhand property is illegally held, international students will face a fine of tens of thousands of Australian dollars or three-year imprisonment in accordance with the law. I don’t recommend buying secondhand buildings when studying abroad in Australia. There are few advantages except for renting and earning rental income. If there is trouble with your Visa or your Visa expires, you must sell the secondhand property, meaning it is difficult to make an increase in the Australian property market. Today, more and more international students buy property in Australia to achieve the purpose of “housing care”, in addition to the family overseas asset allocation in advance. Australia’s property prices have also begun to show signs of rebound under the promotion of this general trend, and new real estate is even more sought after. If you calculate the rent cost that may be afforded in the future, when funds are sufficient, buying a house is absolutely necessary, and the sooner, the better. You can also watch the video below to learn more about Australia property news: Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

Why choose to study in Australia? Australia has a good quality of life and a sound education system, attracting many international students to study in Australia every year. As a flexible and diverse country, there are naturally countless course options for further study in Australia, and students can choose their favorite subjects to study and develop their interests. This is why Australia has been the best choice for overseas study for many years. Hong Kong students now only need to complete university, masters, doctoral, or vocational education courses in Australia, get a work visa and meet the residency requirements, and they can achieve the purpose of immigrating to Australia (which is very cost-effective). In addition, compared with overseas study in the United Kingdom and the United States, the cost of studying in Australia is relatively cheap. Coupled with a guaranteed quality of life, students will study and live in such an ideal country with half the effort. Overview of further education in Australia Australia is a multicultural country; you can meet students from all over the world, even many older students, and enjoy a variety of further study options: Primary school: Once they turn the age of 6, students are eligible to go to primary school in Australia. Primary education in Australia encourages students to express themselves boldly and focuses on cultivating students' self-directed learning ability. The learning content is mainly organized in six areas: English, Creative Arts, Human Society and Environment (including Language), Mathematics, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, and Learning and Technology. Coming to Australia to study in primary school, children are in the golden period of language learning. The all-English teaching environment, coupled with Australia's beautiful environment, food safety and other factors, can lay the foundation for children to go to world-famous schools in the future. Secondary school: The Australian school system is similar to that of Hong Kong, and secondary school lasts for 6 years. Generally, secondary school students do not need an English IELTS score to study in Australia, but they need to be accompanied by a language course for 20 weeks, and then the main course. If students have an IELTS score of 5~5.5, they do not need language classes and can be admitted directly. The benefits of studying abroad in secondary school are numerous. First of all, if you choose Australia to study from junior high school, you will generally be able to speak English as fluently as your mother tongue in the future. But if you choose to study in Australia at an older age, even if you try to learn English, it is difficult to integrate into the Australian local population. Technical and Further Education (TAFE): Vocational education and further education in Australia mainly provide students with a variety of vocational higher education courses, involving hundreds of disciplines (such as finance and trade, business and finance, engineering and architecture, visual arts and so on). Its courses can be directly linked to bachelors courses at other Australian universities, which is a great way to help students succeed at university. At the same time, TAFE also provides high-quality and high-level vocational skills training for its students, so that students can have professional vocational skills when graduating. Universities: Australia's education is among the best in the world, with a total of 42 universities in the country. Whilst there are 2 private universities, the rest are public. University programs generally last three to four years, Masters degree programs last one to two years, and doctoral degrees require three years or more to complete. Choice of further studies in Australian universities When it comes to studying abroad, many people's first reaction is the Ivy League schools in the United States. As a popular country for studying abroad, Australia has eight famous schools that are also known as Australia's Ivy League due to their high-quality educational resources and good academic environment - they are representatives of Australia's high-quality universities! Australia's "Big Eight" perennially dominates the world's top 100 universities, these schools are: 1. The Australian National University QS World University Rankings 2023 - 30 ANU is an excellent public university with a long history in Australia, and a reputation steeped in education and research. Quality education attracts international students from all over the world who come to Australia to further their studies, and it is a world-class university with outstanding teaching and research results. 2. The University of Melbourne QS World University Rankings 2023 - 33 Founded in 1853, the University of Melbourne is one of the world's leading research universities - and it’s located right here, in the educational capital of the Southern Hemisphere. Many of Melbourne's graduates have become leaders in their fields and have played an important role in politics, culture, academia and business around the world. 3. The University of Sydney QS World University Rankings 2023 - 41 The University of Sydney is located in the heart of Sydney, the financial capital of Australia. It’s known for its business, law and medical majors. Its outstanding academic achievements and excellent course quality are well-known at home and abroad, especially in business, engineering, architecture, medicine, law and other majors. 4. The University of New South Wales QS World University Rankings 2023 - 45 The University of New South Wales is known for its engineering and business studies. Its strong, professional main campus is located in Sydney, covering an area of 38 hectares, which is convenient for transportation from the railway station and airport. There are also three campuses, namely the College of Arts, St. George's and the Defense Military Academy. Both of the former are also near Sydney, whilst the latter is in Canberra. 5. The University of Queensland QS World University Rankings 2023 - 50 The University of Queensland is Queensland's first comprehensive university, founded in 1910, making it the oldest university in Queensland. Its scientific research funding and academic level are always among the top three universities in Australia, and the number of doctoral students is the largest. 6. Monash University QS World University Rankings 2023 - 57 Established by Parliament in 1958, Monash University is Victoria's second oldest university. Monash has an international reputation for its teaching excellence and superb research, it’s one of Australia's largest national universities, and it’s also a well-known intensive research university, which is the first choice for many international students to study in Australia. 7. The University of Western Australia QS World University Rankings 2023 - 90 UWA is one of Australia's most historical, representative and powerful prestigious research universities, ranking among the best in many authoritative Australian university rankings. UWA is located in Western Australia, a state of endeavor with only 11% of Australia's population but that generates and supports nearly 50% of the Australian economy, Its 65-acre main campus is just five kilometres from Perth’s city centre. 8. The University of Adelaide QS World University Rankings 2023 - 109 Located in Adelaide, South Australia, the University of Adelaide was the third university established in Australia. It boasts 5 Nobel Prize winners and 108 Rhodes Scholars, and has been rated as a super five-star academic institution by QS Think Tank. The University of Adelaide is renowned for its cutting-edge research, high quality of education and producing graduates with a world impact. Application process for further education in Australia Choose a study abroad major and school: First, determine your study abroad goals and majors, and choose the right Australian universities and colleges for your needs. Submit application materials: According to the requirements of the application school, prepare relevant application materials (such as resume, transcripts, language test results, recommendation letters, etc). Confirm admission and apply for visa: After the school's admission notice is issued, applicants need to pay tuition fees and submit visa applications as required, and obtain an Australian study visa before entering Australia to study. Prepare for departure: Prepare your flight, accommodation, medical insurance, luggage, etc. before entering the country. It should be noted that current and future Hong Kong students studying in Australia only need to successfully complete their studies to obtain a temporary graduate visa for 5 years, and can apply for a permanent residence visa after 5 years. Hong Kong students who have been granted a graduate visa will be eligible to extend their visa for 5 years with immediate effect, regardless of how long they have been in Australia, and will be eligible to apply for a permanent residence visa at the end of that period. Hong Kong students studying in Australia’s remote areas will have the opportunity to apply for a permanent residence visa after 3 years. Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

In Australia, when it comes to real estate, there is always a connection with taxation. In addition to knowing that rental income and property appreciation are subject to taxation, many people do not know how to pay less tax. In fact, the Australian Tax Office has long prepared money saving cheats for you, so that you can earn money and pay less tax. This is called negative gearing. What is the Australian negative tax deduction? Negative gearing is a common strategy in Australian property investment, and Australia is one of the few countries in the world that implements this policy. Australia's "negative tax deduction" itself is not a tax, but a tax subsidy system for investment property. This applies when an investor takes out a loan to purchase an investment property in Australia and then uses that rent to pay mortgage interest and other expenses. If the rental income of the property is not enough to cover the full loan interest and expenses, the investor can deduct the remaining part as a liability against personal income tax. This deduction can reduce the tax burden on investors, thereby encouraging more people to invest in the real estate market. What are the advantages of Australia's negative tax deduction? 1. Reduced tax burden Australia's negative tax deduction policy allows investors to deduct mortgage interest and other expenses, thereby reducing personal income tax. This can make real estate investment more attractive, especially for those with high incomes. 2. Improve cash flow: By using debt financing, investors can get cash flow in the short term without having to pay for the full purchase cost of the home. This allows investors to grow their real estate portfolios faster and generate higher rates of return. 3. Asset appreciation Property prices tend to rise over time. Therefore, Australia's negative gearing tax policy allows investors to gain income while their assets appreciate. 4. Expand the range of options Under negative gearing, investors can expand their options when considering buying an investment property in Australia. Otherwise, investing only in properties with positive cash flow is often limited to areas with high rental returns rather than areas with high long-term appreciation potential. How do I achieve a negative tax deduction in Australia? Australia’s negative gearing tax does not simply mean that if the rent cannot cover the mortgage, the investor has to "stick" their own money to maintain the house. In fact, the beauty is that negative gearing can deduct non-cash depreciation, and then deduct the tax payable with the "loss" on the book. In reality, the “loss” on the book is often not a real cash loss, but if the house price rises, it will not be regarded as "income" on the book, and it will not increase taxes as a result! In fact, investing in real estate in Australia is like running a business: The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) treats investing in property as a "small business", where you are the shareholder of the business. The property you invest in is a fixed asset; the property management agency is CEO or manager; your tenant is the customer; and the rent paid by the tenant is your "income". To maintain the business, mortgage interest, sewage charges, house depreciation, property management, maintenance costs and insurance premiums are all considered expenses. The detailed items, calculation methods and practical examples of the negative tax deduction on buying a property in Australia are described in detail in my book "Buying a Property in Australia to Create Financial Freedom" (click to jump to the book page). Who is suitable for negative tax deductions in Australia? High-income people are more inclined to this tax arrangement because cash flow is not an issue and can significantly reduce taxes. At the same time, they can enjoy long-term capital appreciation. In Australia, doctors, lawyers, IT and other high-income earners will have several sets of real estate under their accounts for tax deduction. As a result, high-income earners usually pay less tax each year than low-wage earners, or even don't pay taxes. Low-income people who want to achieve financial freedom by investing in Australian property are also suited. These people are more inclined to use positive leverage because cash flow is a more pressing issue. When negative gearing boosts cash flow for such investors, they can invest in new investments more quickly and expand the size of their assets. While there are many benefits to investing in property under Australia’s negative gearing tax rule, it has always been a controversial policy. Some people believe that Australia's negative tax policy is actually encouraging more people to participate in real estate investment, resulting in an increase in demand for investment properties, which in turn pushes up house prices and puts pressure on ordinary families. At the same time, there are risks associated with negative gearing policies, and investors may be exposed to financial risks if they rely on negative gearing policies without an effective investment strategy or management. If their investment property in Australia does not generate sufficient rent or return on investment, they may be forced to sell the property to cover liabilities or living expenses. Therefore, investors should carefully assess the risks and benefits of the negative tax deduction policy, and formulate effective investment strategies and management methods to avoid potential risks. Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

Due to the long popularity of the Australian property market, many people are looking to buy a building for their children so that they can live in Australia in the future or the whole family can immigrate to Australia. The potential for investment appreciation is also excellent. However, for parents, some problems continue to linger. For example, whose name will the property be in, and can international students buy a property in Australia? When buying real estate in Australia, the contract can be put in your name, your child’s name, or both. The basic condition is that the child must be 18 years old. I suggest that even if the property is bought for children to live in whilst studying in Australia, it is best to place it in the parents’ names. There are 3 main points to consider: 1. It is inconvenient to apply for a mortgage From the perspective of buying a house, you must provide proof of income. If you buy a house in your child’s name, students cannot handle a mortgage in Australia without income. Although international students can also provide income proof through work in Australia, applying for a mortgage to buy property is still difficult because of their low salaries and unstable work. If the parents buy a house and add the name of their child, there is the problem that the child does not have the income to reduce the parent’s loan ability because children still depend on their parents. 2. The risk of property Putting the property solely in your child’s name whilst they study is not recommended. When young people come to study in Australia, they often want to fall in love, and sometimes they live under one roof. But according to Australian law, if this relationship breaks down, the other party may enjoy legal protection. For example, Australia’s cohabitation relationships (including same-sex relationships) enjoy legal protection. Once the two parties live together for 12 months, they can be defined as being in a “de facto” relationship. After a relationship breakdown, the division of property stipulates that the property of both parties will be regarded as putting joint income into the overall asset pool. We sometimes see similar incidents in Australian news where two international students studied together and fell in love in Australia. After breaking up, the other party claimed half of the other person’s property, including real estate. 3. Influencing children’s preferential policy after immigration to Australia The Australian government has the first tax discount for local citizens and permanent residents. If parents buy a property in Australia when their children are studying here, the child already had a property in Australia before they immigrated. Therefore, although international students can buy property in Australia, the most secure thing is to put the house under the name of their parents. There is no loss in doing so because Australia has no inheritance tax for direct relatives. Therefore, in the future, children can inherit real estate in Australia without paying inheritance taxes. If inheritance is used for the purposes of overseas property investment in Australia, you need to pay related value-added tax when selling real estate. You can also watch the video below to learn more about Australia property news: Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

visa” because of its simple application conditions and high investment. The annual snapshot of Australian immigration shows that in 2020-21, China overtook India for the first time and became Australia's main source of migrants, (occupying 22,207 immigration quotas, a substantial increase compared with 2020), basically recovering to the pre-pandemic level. Among the applicants for the 188C visa, immigrants from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland accounted for 89.9%; it can be said that the 188C immigrant visa is almost covered by Chinese. But in September last year, Australia announced the news that the 188C visa was going to be cancelled or revisited. Therefore, friends who meet the conditions of the 188C investment immigration visa and are interested in immigrating to Australia should seize the opportunity to do so now. What is the 188C immigrant visa? The Australian 188C Significant Investor Stream, also known as the 188C Investment Migration Visa, is one of the 188 visa categories for Australian business immigrants. It is suitable for applicants who are willing to invest at least AUD $5 million in Australia, and want to maintain business and investment activities in Australia. 188C visa applicants need to be nominated by an Australian state or local government, or by the Australian Business Commission on behalf of the Australian Government. Holding the 188C immigrant visa is the first stage of qualifying for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (888 visa). The 188C visa was previously valid for four years and three months, with its validity period being adjusted to 5 years after July 1, 2021. If the applicant needs additional time to meet the requirements of the permanent residence visa (subclass 888), the applicant can extend their time in Australia by extending the visa. 188C temporary visa holders can apply for a 4-year extension visa, so the visa is then valid for up to 8 years. The main advantages of the 188C investment immigration visa No age limit; No English requirement: No scoring requirements; Fast approval speed; Relaxed residency requirements (can apply for two extensions); Eligible immediate family members can apply for temporary residence and corresponding permanent residence visas; Visa holders are free to travel to and from Australia; and During the visa period, children can attend Australian public primary and secondary schools. The general requirements for the 188C visa Be invited to apply; Guaranteed by the state government; Have successful business or investment experience; Have sufficient personal and business assets; Invest at least $5 million in Australia; The applicant and all family members must meet certain health and conduct requirements; and Applicants aged 18 orover must sign an Australian Values Statement confirming that the applicant will respect the Australian lifestyle and comply with Australian law. 188C visa application requirements If, after meeting the requirements for the 188C immigrant visa, the applicant wants to switch to the 888 permanent visa, he or she needs to have a real and achievable commitment to: Reside in the nominating state or territory; Continue to operate and invest in Australia after the expiry of the 188C temporary visa; During the period of holding the 188C temporary visa, the applicant has resided in Australia for at least 40 days per year (cumulative), or his or her spouse has lived in Australia for at least 180 days per year (cumulative); The applicant, the applicant's partner or the applicant and his/her partner jointly have a net asset of at least AUD $5 million, which is at the disposal of legitimate income and can be used to make a qualifying investment in Australia; The applicant and his/her partner have not engaged in unacceptable business or investment activities; 188C temporary visa applicants and family members over the age of 18 must agree not to take any action against the federal government for any losses associated with qualifying investments; According to Australian tax law, income earned by 188C from designated investments in Australia is subject to tax; and 188C temporary visa applicants must make a qualifying investment of at least AUD $5 million or a qualifying major investment for 4 years. Compliant major investment applications after 1 July 2021 (4-year significant investment of $5 million for the following businesses): At least $1,000,000 in venture capital and growth private equity funds to invest in start-ups and small private businesses ($500,000 before 1 July 2021); At least AUD $1.5 million of approved managed funds invested in ASX listed emerging companies; and Balanced investments of up to $2.5 million in managed funds that may invest in a range of assets, including ASX listed companies, Australian corporate bonds or notes, annuities and commercial real estate (July 2021). The investment amount before 1 day is 3 million Australian dollars). The 188C visa application process Submit an Application for Immigrant Intent (EOI). Apply for and obtain a state guarantee. Get an EOI invitation. Complete the asset audit. Submit application materials. Obtain an interview or exemption from interview notice and supplement materials. Physical examination, payment of English contribution fund. Visa signed. The 188C investment immigration visa application fee State sponsorship application fee; depending on the state standard, ranging from free to hundreds of Australian dollars. Visa Application Fee: Main applicant - AU$8,925 Secondary applicants over 18 years of age - AU$4,465 Dependent applicants under 18 years of age - AU$2,235 Language Training Fee: If the main applicant does not have an IELTS TRF with a total score of 4.5, a language fee of AU$9,795 will be payable. A spouse or accompanying children over 18 years of age who do not achieve an overall IELTS score of 4.5 will be charged a language study fee of AU$4,890 per person. (Note: The above fees are subject to the final fee charged by the Australian immigration department). Epilogue: Australia is a country with high welfare and high taxes, and many wealthy Chinese have obtained Australian status quickly and simply through the 188C investment immigration visa. In view of the possibility that Australia may suspend these visas in the future because of the lack of follow-up power for Australia's economic development, now is the time to act. Applications are just open for 188C immigrant visas FY22/23, so applicants who sign up now can still submit and get an invitation letter to lock in the policy for the current fiscal year. Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

According to international practice, a vacancy rate for commercial housing of between 5 and 10% is a reasonable area, and a vacancy rate of between 10 and 20% is a vacancy danger area. In Australia, the vacancy rate has been below 5% for many years, indicating that housing is in short supply. So that's why more and more people are investing in Australian property. In 2023, Australia's housing vacancy rate has dropped to less than 1%, and the continuous influx of immigrants and international students has made rent in major Australian cities unattainable. Overseas people who invest in real estate in Australia have therefore gained huge benefits. 1. What is the Australian Vacancy Tax? The Vacancy Fee is an annual fee paid by overseas owners who own an Australian residential property that is unoccupied for more than half of the year (183days). This is to reduce the vacancy rate and thus provide more housing opportunities for Australian residents. The fee is levied by the Australian Taxation Office(ATO) to assess whether and how much needs to be levied based on the "vacancy tax return" filed by all overseas owners. 2. Who needs to pay Australian Vacancy Tax? People who meet the following conditions will need to pay vacancy tax in Australia: 1. Overseas owners, i.e. persons who are not Australian citizens or who do not ordinarily reside in Australia (who have not lived in Australia for at least 200 days in the past 12 months); 2. Persons who own a residential property and fail to live in it within one year or fail to rent or sell it to the market for more than 183 days; and 3. The property is a property approved for purchase by the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). 3. How much is the Australian Vacancy Tax? According to information provided on the Australian Tax Office's website, the vacancy tax is usually the same as the FIRB application fee paid by investors when submitting a foreign investment application. The ATO calculates the specific cost based on the vacancy tax return filed by the owner, so you don’t have to calculate it yourself. 4. How do I file Australian Vacancy Tax? Overseas buyers should be reminded that if you buy a property that has been rented out for more than 183 days in this financial year, you do not need to pay a vacancy fee to the Australian Tax Office, but you still need to declare the vacancy tax exemption to the ATO every year. All overseas buyers applying for FIRB Australia approval to purchase residential properties are required to file an annual vacancy tax return. The Australian Vacancy Tax Return will record the details of the property and will help the ATO decide whether to impose a vacancy fee on it or not. Buyers will generally receive an annual email from the ATO as a reminder to Lodge Vacancy Fee. Even if they do not receive a reminder, owners must remember to file their own taxes. The vacancy tax return can be downloaded here: https://www.ato.gov.au/FIRBvacancyfee/, or you can contact a lawyer to help with the application. The deadline for filing Vacancy Tax is every 12 months plus 30 days after the owner's purchase. The time is usually calculated from the date on which the owner has the right to take possession of the property, which is the date of closing. If the property is sold on January 1, for example, you will need to file a Vacancy Tax Return by January 30 of each year. Late payments may incur penalties or interest. Once your return is submitted, you'll be taken to a confirmation page with information about the amount of vacancy tax and payment methods. The payment amount and payment due date will also be mentioned in the email sent to the owner. 5. How do I get an exemption for Vacancy Tax in Australia? For those who do not want to pay a vacancy fee, the simplest way is to not leave the house empty (at least, don’t leave it vacant for more than half of a financial year). So whether you rent it out or live there with relatives and/or friends, you can avoid paying vacancy tax. If during a vacancy period you can prove that the house has not intentionally been left vacant, such as traveling abroad, then you can also avoid paying. Specifically, you may be exempt from Vacancy Tax in Australia if the following conditions are met, but a return and related supporting documents will still need to be filed. Exemptions include: 1. The house has been rented for more than 6 months, or self-occupied for more than 6 months, or relatives, friends or other people have lived for more than 6 months (no need to sign a lease); 2. The house is damaged, unsafe or unfit as a residential dwelling; 3. Occupancy in the property is prohibited or restricted pursuant to a court or arbitral tribunal order, or under federal, state or territorial law; 4. The permanent resident of the house (who may not be a foreigner) is unable to continue living there due to long-term hospitalization or nursing care; 5. The registered owner has passed away and the administration of the estate is still incomplete - death certificate of the registered owner of the property; 6. The owner is no longer an overseas tax resident - visa certificate; or 7. The legal ownership of the property has changed within the year. For more information, please visit the ATO website: https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Foreign-investment-in-Australia/Annual-vacancy-fee/#Vacancyfeeexemptions In particular, homes used for short-term rentals (i.e. rentals for less than 30 days) - including AirBnBs - are not considered to have been genuinely used for residential purposes even if they are actually rented for more than 183 days in a year, and are therefore subject to Vacancy Tax in Australia. Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

Deciding to buy property in Australia will probably be one of the most life-changing, and perhaps daunting, decisions of your life with many factors to carefully consider. Buying a property in Australia is actually not as complicated as imagined. Although the process seems to be a lot, but Australia's laws are very sound, so professionals will help you deal with all matters, and you don't need to work hard yourself. At the same time, overseas people can also apply for mortgages when buying properties in Australia, and the procedures are simple, and the interest rates are not too high. In addition to self-occupation, houses can also be rented out. The rent is used to offset the monthly housing payment and there is still a surplus. This is "housing to support a house". Of course, the most important thing is that as personal permanent property, Australian real estate can be passed on from generation to generation without any inheritance tax. It is a good choice for family wealth inheritance. Many wealthy people from all over the world will regard Australian real estate as a must-have option when making asset allocation. So, if you want to buy a property in Australia, what preparations should you make? This article will explain in detail all the processes and precautions that you have to go through when buying real estate in Australia, and help those who want to buy overseas, especially Australian real estate, but suffer from lack of experience, to realize their dreams. Guide: 1. How to choose the major cities in Australia? 2. What types of real estate are there in Australia? 3. How much does it cost to buy a property in Australia? 4. What are the specific procedures for buying a property in Australia? How to choose the major cities in Australia? The major capital cities in Australia are what we focus on when we invest. Among them, the total population of Melbourne and Sydney accounts for half of the total population of Australia, and they are also the two cities where Chinese people like to settle. Specifically: 1. Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Since many people prefer Melbourne's livability and high-quality education environment, the investment strategy for buying property in Melbourne is to occupy a good location as soon as possible, because it will be more expensive and more remote in the future. We must know that the city of Melbourne is rapidly growing, and the cost of buying a property has increased accordingly. In the next 30-40 years, the population of Melbourne will surpass that of Sydney and become the most populous city in Australia. 2. Sydney Sydney is the commercial, trade, financial, cultural and tourist center of Australia, as well as the hub of sea, land and air transportation and communication in Oceania. My advice to investors who want to buy property in Sydney, Australia is to be cautious. Because in the past few years, everyone said that buying a property in Australia is buying Sydney, and its property prices have been pushed up very high, and the affordability is poor. However, purely from an investment point of view, you can also buy properties in more remote areas of Sydney, and choose properties that are currently not expensive but have a large potential for future appreciation. 3. Brisbane Brisbane has a warm climate all year round and the scenery is like spring. 365 days a year, there are very few severe cold and severe heat. The 2032 Summer Olympics will be held in Brisbane, Australia, driving up property prices in Australia's third-largest city. It can be said that the next ten years will be the golden decade of Brisbane's real estate growth, and it is an important investment location when everyone considers buying a property in Australia. If you plan ahead, build a real estate investment portfolio reasonably, and buy a property in Brisbane, Australia, the next ten years will most likely be a good opportunity for investors to achieve their financial freedom goals as soon as possible. 4. Perth Perth is the capital of Western Australia and the fourth largest city in Australia. With a pleasant climate and a beautiful environment, the city is known as the "City of Wildflowers" and has been ranked among the best cities in the world for livable cities many times. In addition, Perth also has excellent performance in tourism and education. With the recovery of the mining industry, Perth's economic indicators are even better. Overseas people buying properties in Perth, Australia are also increasing year by year. 5. Adelaide Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia. It is loved by overseas people for its vast and numerous parks, blue-gray sandstone buildings and relaxed and pleasant lifestyle. From the perspective of property purchase investment in Australia, Adelaide is like a blue chip stock. The rate of return may not be comparable to that of Melbourne and Sydney, two international metropolises, but the cost of property purchase is very reasonable in Australia, especially It is exactly half of the cost of buying a property in the two cities of Sydney and Melbourne! It can be said that the real estate here is low-risk, stable and long-term. 6. Gold Coast Gold Coast is the sixth largest city in Australia. It is located on the eastern coast and is famous for its abundant sunshine, white sandy beaches and clear blue water. Every year, the number of international tourists continues to increase, and more and more people buy properties, further stimulating the development of the economy. In addition to the well-developed tourism industry, the economy, education, medical care, and welfare in the Gold Coast area are all well-developed. And these factors will definitely attract more overseas people to immigrate and buy properties in this seaside city in Australia. The increase in immigration waves will accelerate the development of the property market and stimulate housing prices to rise. What types of properties are there for buying properties in Australia? Australian real estate buildings are roughly divided into 3 categories: House, Townhouse and Apartment. Each has its own advantages, each leading the way. If you plan to buy a property in Australia, you must also think about the type of property you want to buy in advance. 1. House detached house/villa The villa house in Australia is a one-story or two-story detached house with its own independent yard and its own house. Each House is built independently, and the style can be varied, and the homeowner can rebuild the house according to his personal preferences. Generally speaking, the cost of buying a House in Australia is the highest. 2. Townhouse Townhouse’s townhouse nature limits the size of the yard. Generally, several houses are designed in a unified style, and even part of the interior decoration may be unified. The price of buying a townhouse in Australia is lower than that of a house, but it also has a private garden and terrace, which makes the occupants feel like living in a house. 3. Apartment Apartment is a common apartment in China, with at least 3 floors, each building has one or more units, and each unit has one or more households on each floor. Generally speaking, the security of Apartment is the best, and most of them have access control system. Suitable for students and young skilled immigrants, the apartment area is about 80-90 to more than 200 square meters, with strata property rights. For overseas people, apartments are their first choice when buying properties in Australia, because apartments are mostly new houses, and modernized with high rental returns, they are very good investment products. How much does it cost to buy a property in Australia? The first thing in buying a property is to prepare, by making sure your financial situation will enable you to make the purchase. To get your finances in order it’s a good idea to have a budget, establish a savings goal and work out how much you can afford to save each week, fortnight or month towards buying a house. As most people need a home loan to finance their purchase, engage with your lender or mortgage broker early to see how much you can afford to borrow. This is known as pre-approval. More importantly, some miscellaneous expenses that may be incurred when buying an Australian property will increase the cost of buying a house to a certain extent, not only in terms of money, but also in terms of time. Therefore, planning all the expenses required for buying a property in Australia in advance will avoid unexpected financial constraints as much as possible. In addition to the cost of buying a property in Australia, you should also be aware of the cost of holding it. In general, these costs include: FIRB, stamp duty, legal fees, real estate loan agency fees, housing property insurance premiums, city appearance construction fees + sewage charges + land tax or property fees, etc. 1. Foreign Ownership Fee (FIRB) For overseas people, FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board Australia Foreign Investment Review Committee) is a cost that must be calculated when buying a property in Australia. According to current regulations, foreigners (those who have not yet obtained permanent residence in Australia) need to obtain FIRB approval to buy a property in Australia. They need to fill out a residential real estate application form and pay an application fee. The amount of the fee depends on the value of the property. . Residential real estate that overseas people can apply for buying a property in Australia includes: new housing, second-hand housing (with restrictions), redevelopment properties, off-plan housing and idle residential land. 2. Stamp Duty All state governments in Australia charge stamp duty on the purchase of real estate, and the basic tax rate is 5.5%. However, for overseas buyers who want to buy properties in Australia, in addition to the Northern Territory, other states and territories will also charge stamp duty surcharges. Taking Melbourne as an example, it is 8%. However, compared with the 20 per cent surcharge imposed on foreign buyers in Singapore and Vancouver, the foreign stamp duty surcharge for buying property in Australia does not seem to be that high. In addition, buyers who purchase land and villa projects in Australia can also save stamp duty on the housing construction part. 3. Conveyancing Fees When buying a property in Australia, the legal transfer of real estate ownership is generally carried out by a lawyer who handles the real estate transfer certificate professionally. There is no way for individuals to handle it. Therefore, lawyer fees are also an inevitable procedural cost. Every time you buy a property in Australia, you need a lawyer to participate, and the lawyer's fee generally ranges from $800-$2,000 +GST. 4. Housing loan agency fees (Finance Broker Fee) Generally speaking, there is no fee to consult and apply for a loan before buying an Australian property, but there may be account opening fees and other related handling fees involved. Customers can make more comparisons of specific interest rates and fees according to their own needs, and then choose the institution they want to borrow. The mortgage consultant will also give relevant professional advice. 5. Home property insurance (Insurance) In order to prevent any damage inside the house and the loss of property inside the house, after purchasing an Australian building, the general buyer can consider purchasing this insurance to ensure that the damage inside the house is guaranteed. If it is an apartment or a multi-set townhouse, the property The management will generally bear the cost of insurance outside the house, and the owner does not have to pay. 6. Council Rate+Water Rate+Land Tax The purchase of buildings such as houses and townhouses in Australia generally involves city appearance construction costs, sewage charges and land taxes, which are usually charged quarterly. Generally speaking, after buying a property in Australia, especially a house, you need to pay a municipal fee of about $1200 a year, which will vary depending on the government. Sewage charges generally range from $500 to $1200, and are paid to the government by the landlord or agent. The land tax varies according to the assessed value of the land, and usually costs several hundred Australian dollars. If you are an overseas person, there is an additional tax rate. . 7. Body Corporate When buying a property in Australia, it should be noted that property management fees will be charged for three or more townhouses and apartments on one site, but correspondingly, the land tax and municipal fees for these two types of properties are relatively low, or do not need to be paid. Property management fees for Australian buildings are levied according to the types of public facilities provided by the community or real estate. If the public facilities are very complete, including gymnasiums and swimming pools, the fees will be relatively high. 8. Agent Management Fees Taking care of the property through a leasing agency can effectively ensure the collection of rent and the payment of various housing expenses. Even if the landlord is overseas, there is no need to worry about buying an Australian property. Generally, the management fee for long-term rentals ranges from 5.5% to 7.5% of the rent, and the intermediary will also give the owner a detailed statement of the expenditure, which reduces the complicated matters for overseas owners. What are the specific procedures for buying a property in Australia? There’s no denying Australians have a love affair with property. Around two-thirds of us are homeowners1 and for many, buying a home is a lifelong dream. It’s also the most expensive purchase many people will ever make, so given the stakes, it pays to do your research and understand what’s involved in the buying process before making a leap into the property market. 1. Choosing the suburb and type of property Before buying a property in Australia, you must choose the city you want to invest in, and then it is best to choose a suitable property to buy through an intermediary who holds a photo of an Australian real estate agency. When overseas people buy Australian properties, they must pay attention to the screening of intermediary qualifications. If your intermediary does not have the qualifications to sell properties in Australia, once a dispute arises, it can be said that the laws of the two countries will not protect you. 2. Find a lawyer Australia is a country with an extremely sound legal system, and a lawyer must be involved in buying and selling real estate. However, please note that when buying a property in Australia, the lawyer is only responsible for checking the contract, confirming legal compliance, etc., and does not comment on the value of the house. The buyer must bear the risk of buying a property in Australia. Floor plans, brochures, etc., if they are not part of the contract (usually they are not), are for reference only and are not legally binding. The contract usually does not specify the area in square meters, but only the legend of property rights. 3. Apply for FIRB Overseas buyers need to submit an application to the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) before buying a property in Australia. The application must be made for a specific property in Australia that overseas buyers intend to purchase. Overseas buyers must obtain FIRB approval before signing the purchase contract, or sign the contract as Subject to FIRB, otherwise they will be deemed to violate FIRB regulations and be fined or even more severely punished. This process is recommended to be assisted by the buyer's lawyer. Please refer to the information on the official website of FIRB https://firb.gov.au/guidance-notes. 4. Sign the contract Buying a house in Australia, the buyer and the seller must sign the house purchase contract before they form a contractual relationship. For existing homes (including brand new homes and second-hand homes), the seller usually requires that what you see is what you buy, and the price is based on the current state of the property. Once the buyer finds that some facilities are inconsistent with the state before the exchange contract during the final inspection before delivery, relevant evidence needs to be provided. 5. Pay 10% deposit When buying a property in Australia, after signing the purchase contract, the buyer needs to transfer a 10% deposit of the contract price to the trust account of the intermediary or the seller's lawyer. According to the practice in Victoria, when the off-plan housing contract is delivered, the buyer does not delay delivery or refuse to deliver on the condition of loan or status change. 6. Cooling-off period Generally speaking, after deciding to buy a property in Australia, the buyer has a cooling-off period of three working days after signing the contract, which will vary according to the laws of each state. During the cooling-off period, the buyer can decide not to buy the property but will lose 0.2% of the contract price, but the seller cannot go back and forth. If the 10% deposit has been paid, the seller will return 9.8% of the buyer's contract price. After that, the buyer and seller are bound to perform the contract, that is, the buyer must buy and the seller must sell, unless there are special terms to be met. 7. Getting home loan pre-approval Buyers who need to apply for a loan need to note that when buying a property in Australia, the loan is paid after the property is delivered. Therefore, it is particularly important to complete the loan application in advance before the settlement. For existing home buyers, you can apply for a loan pre-approval from a bank or a loan intermediary before you sign a contract to purchase an Australian property; or start preparing materials to apply for a loan after signing the contract. 8. Property inspections Regardless of whether the person is in Australia or overseas, before buying an Australian property, the buyer needs to make an appointment with the real estate agency for a final inspection. If a problem is found, the buyer's lawyer and the seller's lawyer can be notified to negotiate and solve the problem. The seller who fails to deliver on time can charge fines and penalty interest (usually 12% annual interest or higher) on a daily basis, and additional legal fees (at least several hundred), etc. If the overdue exceeds 14 days, the seller has the right to terminate the contract and confiscate Deposit, and sue for additional compensation for additional losses (if any) and not give the room. 9. Moving into your new home On the day of delivery, the buyer needs to pay all the final payment, and the items in the cost of buying a house in Australia also need to pay stamp duty, as well as third-party fees such as government and water bureaus, property companies, etc. Overseas people also need to pay for buying Australian properties. additional surcharges. After that, you can get the keys when you buy it, and the real estate has been successfully delivered! You can also watch the video below to learn more about buying property in Australia: Alison's Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Wechat: +61452016137 👉Whatsapp: +61452016137/+85294496336 👉Telegram: +85294496336 👉LINE: rightkeyinvestment 👉Facebook: facebook.com/australianteacheralison

Australia is a popular destination for students from all over the world to study. It is home to many top universities, with a total of 42 tertiary education facilities. The "Australian Top Eight" is highly respected and recognized. There are many advantages to choosing to study in Australia. For Hong Kong students, each university has its own strengths and specialisations. It provides many study subjects that are not available in Hong Kong, so that each student can find their own areas of interest. So, what are the conditions and thresholds for studying in Australia, especially universities? Australian university application conditions Academic Requirements For Hong Kong students, if they want to apply for an Australian university, the best five or six subjects of the DSE are generally used. Depending on the chosen Australian university or subject, the application threshold ranges from 13 to 26 points. The following are the Australian university application thresholds for some popular subjects (the best five subjects in DSE): Architecture: 15 to 23 points Aviation: 16 to 19 points Business: 13 to 20 points Exercise Science: 13 to 20 points Literature courses: 16 points or more Hotel Management/Hospitality: 13 to 18 points Health Sciences (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Pharmacy, etc.): 18+ Medical (Medical, Veterinary or Dental): 24+ points * The above information is for reference only, and the details are subject to the school’s announcement English requirements In terms of English requirements, the Australian university bachelor application requirements are generally DSE English score of 4 or IELTS of 6.0 to 6.5, whilst some specialist degrees require IELTS 7.0 and each sub-item score of not less than 7.0. Other ways to study in Australian universities 1. Studying in an Australian high school: The secondary school system in Australia is the same as Hong Kong’s six-year system. Therefore, Hong Kong students have another option, that is, secondary four students can choose to go to Australia to enter Year 11, and take the public examination in Year 12 to be admitted to an Australian university. 2. Studying basic classes: If students have completed Form 5 in Hong Kong, they can choose to apply for a one-year university basic class in Australia. After completion, they do not need to take public exams. As long as the internal exams meet the requirements, they can directly enter Australian universities. . 3. Study Certificate or Diploma courses: Applicants can also choose to apply for Australian universities to study Certificate or Diploma courses. This is a good entry route. Advantages of Hong Kong students applying for Australian universities The pathways for Hong Kong people to apply for permanent residence (PR) set up in Australia, Skilled Independent visas (subclass 189) and Skilled Regional visas (subclass 191), both provide a new classification for Hong Kong people - "Hong Kong stream". After a student has studied a 2-year degree course or above in Australia (including bachelor courses, Top-Up degree courses, master courses, etc.), he can apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) within 6 months of graduating. Hong Kong people holding a 485 Graduate visa can apply for a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) permanent residence visa after living anywhere in Australia for 4 years. If they live outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane for 3 years, they can apply for a Skilled Regional visa (subclass 191) permanent residence visa. Hong Kong people holding a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) can apply for a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) permanent residence visa after living anywhere in Australia for 4 years. If they live outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, after 3 years you can apply for a Skilled Regional visa (subclass 191) permanent residence visa. Applicants for the above permanent resident visas must hold a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport or BNO, and meet the "Common Criteria", such as health and character examinations, etc. - no scoring, no job assessment, and no annual salary requirements. 更多關於留學生租樓、買樓的資訊，請看我這條片： Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

In Australia, it is popular to buy house and land packages. This is because they allow buyers to save more than 50% on stamp duty. In Australia, investors can also take advantage of depreciation rates - tax deductions. Most importantly, they can design their dream homes themselves. It is possible to select the floor plan, materials, and home features, and even a famous designer can be selected. This article will share some basic knowledge about buying land in Australia. Why buy a house and land package in Australia? Many Australian “buying land” projects will be in development positions, as many houses and apartments have been built in mature areas. Often, developers will buy land to split into multiple places and sell. Many of Australia’s “buying land” projects will be found in remote areas, including the Melbourne West District. A lot of the time, projects can be found on land that was previously used for agriculture or factories. Because the urban population increased yearly, the government planned for more residential land. This land could be used for buildings, so people could buy land to build their homes on. What is the biggest advantages? 1. Save stamp duty In Australia, buying land can save buyers a lot of stamp duty. Buyers only need to pay the stamp duty corresponding to the land value (the construction part does not require stamp duty). Compared with the stamp duty paid by directly purchasing existing or non-existing houses (off the plan), buying land saves considerably more in taxes. 2. Less initial investment needed In addition, it takes less initial investment to buy land. It can be paid in installments. For buyers, this means less time is needed to prepare funds. When buying land in Australia, only 5-10% of the land price is required as a deposit, ensuring you have enough to prepare the remaining funds and handle loans. Precautions for buying house and land package in Australia 1. Developers sell only land If you intend to build a house in Australia, you will sign a land contract with the developer. Developers only provide land - that is, developers buy a large piece of land and then split it into smaller pockets for sale. Developers sometimes also offer architectural packages for which they can receive a rebate. In my experience, developers usually partner with small builders, though the quality may not be guaranteed. Of course, the developers will not be responsible in this situation. 2. Choose a good architect The construction contract is the essence of the whole building. After you buy land, you will choose a suitable Australian architect to start designing the property. You will want to consider size, design, quality, and price. 3. The quality of the land affects the start of the build When buying land in Australia, you must pay attention to the quality of your land purchase. Sometimes, different land geology will affect land prices and the cost of the building. For example, the construction fee will increase if the land is inclined. If you opt for a more complicated design, the higher the price will be, meaning you need more funds to complete the complex design, and the cost of building will be higher. The classification of building contracts After buying land in Australia, you must find a suitable builder and sign building contracts. Building contracts are generally divided into two types: 1. From scratch (custom build) When you have a concept, find a designer to implement it. Designers usually charge by the hour. Just like with a lawyer, if you call or send an email, you have to pay each time. Therefore, if you want to find this type of designer, it is recommended that you do your homework in advance and have a clear architectural concept in mind before signing a building contract. 2. Using the template of the builder (project build) I recommend this method because the builders’ templates are usually diverse enough to provide options. As long as you choose your favourite template, you can build a house you like in Australia with little difficulty. Because you have to pay for each change to the house yourself, coupled with the time to design and buy materials, this type of design has several opportunities for delays. I had a friend who designed a house in Australia and then found someone to build it. The process usually takes around eight months, but it took him two years. I suggest not making your designs too complicated; instead, choose the most practical and simple design from architectural templates. The process of building a house in Australia The first stage is the foundation, and the second is building a bracket. The third stage is the house, doors, windows, and roof to seal the house. The fourth stage is the most intense and exciting, where you install wires, water pipes, heating, air conditioning, and decoration. If you design using architecture templates, the construction time is about 6 to 8 months. If the design is complicated, the project may not be completed for over a year. Other tips for buying house and land packages in Australia I have two tips to share with friends who want to buy land in Australia. First, hiring a builder to help you inspect the building before receiving it is best. As there is no checklist to help you inspect the building, you may find problems with paint or elsewhere. It is important to remember that in the end, builders may not be held responsible for unchecked issues. Although the law guarantees the construction structure, issues with the structure are not easy to see quickly. If you have an inspector to help you check for structural and non-structural issues, this can avoid any disputes in the future. At the same time, you can find any problems so that you can solve these in time. The second tip is to try to choose a building design template. Whilst this provides you with a good idea of what the finished build will look like, there is potential for increased risks, like delays and changing costs. By comparison, if you create the design from scratch, the risk may be relatively high and the cost will be high. Because of this, I suggest you use the template design of the builder, as this is the easiest and fastest way to build your dream home. You can also watch the video below to learn more about Australia property news: Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

Every country has its own unique culture and customs. If we are preparing to invest in Australia, what “Australian characteristics” can help us choose a suitable property? Buying properties in Australia is not an easy task. How do you identify what kind of property is worth investing in as an asset? In short, any property suitable for living is good; if you invest, you need to buy a house suitable for tenants to live in to earn high returns. However, no matter the purpose, the secret to investing in Australia is the better, the better, and the longer you hold, the better. Then, in terms of details, if you want to choose a high-quality, investment-level Australian property, you must pay attention to these 8 skills: 1. Geographical location In Australia, excellent geographical location is key to the preservation and addition of value to the property. People who have lived in Australia for many years will have a clear concept of the “district” of a city. Because the characteristics of each area are different, the economic standards, supporting facilities, and public security levels are different. From the perspective of long-term appreciation, many Chinese friends have witnessed the popularity of the Glen Waverley real estate market in Melbourne, so it is not difficult to see that the next hot spot is Doncaster East. Regarding rental returns, Australian apartments are the best type of property for cash flow; there will always be good rental returns in the city centre or areas near the CBD. 2. Market demand Before buying properties in Australia, you must ensure that you or your agency has done a market survey. You need to know what type of real estate in different regions is in the most demand for the market. For example, if your budget is limited, but you want to buy a house, Melbourne’s Werribee and Berwick areas are all emerging areas of vigorous development. It is recommended to start as soon as possible to get the dividends brought by the next round of Australian real estate. 3. Local thinking Many Chinese friends who buy buildings in Australia often fall into the trap of purchasing Australian properties with inherent thinking. The real estate market in Australia and Hong Kong is very different. For example, many Chinese friends are rich, so they replace small houses with large houses, cheap houses with expensive houses, and broken houses with brand-new houses. This kind of house-purchasing behaviour is understandable; everyone wants to live in a large, bright house. However, this kind of house buying method and thinking model is bigger and more expensive and may only be consumer-type home-buying behaviour with the gradual expansion of debt scale and the gradual reduction of disposable cash flow. If you are involved in property investment in Australia and want to eventually increase your wealth and even achieve financial freedom through property investment, you must abandon your previous inherent thinking. Instead, choose to buy a house as soon as possible. Do not waste time on savings. Buy Australian real estate that you can afford. Then, hold it for a long time instead of selling it without slightly increasing the price. In this case, you should hold the property for one or more real estate growth cycles (7-10-15-30 years). When the property’s value is much higher than the purchase price (such as twice, three times, or even more), you will balance your liabilities and finally realise zero liabilities. You will also achieve a real estate investment portfolio with passive rental income. 4. School district trap When buying in Australia, many Chinese friends care about whether there are good primary schools and high schools, or universities around their property. They believe such a house is the same as in Hong Kong and appreciates faster. In fact, properties near schools and universities are not the fastest to add value in Australia. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to a trap in Australian real estate here: the division of school districts in Australian real estate often changes. Sometimes, there will be a set of two houses in the school district, where one is in the school district, and the other is not. Before buying, you must find a reliable Australian licensed real estate agent to understand school districts, or log in to the official website of My School to learn more: https://www.myschool.edu.au/ 5. Pre-purchase survey If you are looking for new Australian apartments and real estate, then you must investigate who the developers and architects of the apartment are first to see how their previous apartments have been launched. If you like houses or townhouses, you need to understand the local urban planning while paying attention to builders – this can save a lot of unnecessary trouble. One of the situations people often encounter is buying properties with good scenery in Australia. Later, they discover that a developer is ready to build an apartment building next door, which will block the scenery. Another situation is that if your future neighbours are planning to carry out a large-scale renovation and the streets are designated as a regional transformation, then your plan after buying the property may be affected. If you want to know the urban planning and approval of real estate in a certain district of Australia, you can check it online. For example, in Melbourne, you can use www.landchecker.com.au. 6. Existing house advantage If you are going to buy existing real estate in Australia, then an apartment with a beautiful appearance and a small parking lot is the most popular choice. In Australia, if an apartment is a popular hot property when sold, it is likely to be a popular choice as a rental. Another advantage of buying real estate in Australia is that what you see is what you get, and all supporting facilities in this apartment can be seen before you buy. 7. Rental prospects Before investing in a property in Australia, check the potential customers in your area. Is there a railway station, university, shopping mall, small business district, unique professional college, or training centre in your area? If there is, generally, there will be a relatively strong demand for rentals, and rent will naturally rise. 8. Reasonable housing If you buy property in Australia, the purpose is mainly to invest. You must not be emotional. I understand that when people see the house they like, they will imagine a scenario in which they live in it and can’t help but want to buy it. Still, one thing you want to recognise is that you are buying a house for investment, not for yourself. The factors you must consider should be the rental return of the house, the room for increasing property value, etc. I have a customer who lives in Hong Kong all year round and buys Australian property to prepare for retirement. He bought a house that he thought was very beautiful. As a result, because of the factors that he did not consider, he could not rent it at a reasonable price. He has been facing retirement for at least 20 years and could have made a lot of rent if he had considered these factors initially. Summary: From the economic development perspective, real estate is an important factor and is upstream in asset value in the long run. From the perspective of investment income, investing in overseas real estate, on the one hand, through the rise in the value of the real estate itself, will allow you to obtain investment income. The other option is to obtain annual cash flow benefits through real estate rentals. Overseas rental yields are often very high, and Australian properties are among them. The advantages of Australia’s education standards, air quality, laws and regulations, food safety, etc., attract a large number of immigrants from all over the world each year, and these new immigrants will need to be equipped with Australian properties to meet their needs. Many parents will choose a house in a good school district in Australia to give their children a better education. Similarly, Australia attaches great importance to food safety and environmental issues. The purchase of Australian real estate can lay a good foundation for future immigrants so that they can enjoy a safer and healthier food and living environment. If you want to know more about buying Australian properties, you can watch my video, which teaches you how to deal with Australian real estate agencies when purchasing property as an overseas buyer: Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

Introduction Australia has emerged as a coveted destination for real estate investment, attracting investors worldwide with its resilient property market and high-quality lifestyle. In this article, we will divide into two crucial aspects for prospective investors – the strategies for buying property in Australia and the key considerations that demand attention. Whether you're a seasoned investor or a first-time buyer, navigating the Australian real estate landscape requires a comprehensive understanding of the market dynamics and essential precautions. Let's explore the intricacies of purchasing property in Australia to ensure a well-informed and successful investment journey. In 2020, the Australian government actively implemented a series of policies in response to the global pandemic's impact, including a substantial fiscal budget, industry reforms, loan repayment extensions, and the Reserve Bank of Australia's implementation of a 0.1% ultra-low interest rate. These measures successfully maintained the stable growth of the Australian property market. Australia emerged as one of the few regions globally to sustain a robust real estate market amid the pandemic, making it an attractive destination for Hong Kong residents. Australia has long been renowned for its high-quality living environment, making it a sought-after destination for property investment among Hong Kong residents. To smoothly navigate the Australian property market, it is crucial to understand the trends in property prices and related considerations. The Australian property market is influenced by various factors, including location, urban development plans, and transportation convenience. Therefore, prospective buyers should thoroughly research the market dynamics of their desired purchase areas. For Hong Kong residents, the property purchasing process in Australia may differ slightly from that in Hong Kong, requiring a certain level of understanding and preparation. Whether it's obtaining rich information about the local property market, selecting suitable properties, or understanding Australia's loan system and relevant tax policies, these are critical aspects of buying property in Australia. Ensuring a comprehensive understanding of personal financial status and the Australian property market is essential throughout the property acquisition process. The strong performance of the Australian property market and its superior quality of life have indeed captured the attention of many Hong Kong residents. By delving into the dynamics of the Australian property market and strategically planning the property purchase process, this article will provide an in-depth analysis of strategies and considerations for buying property in Australia. This information aims to empower you to navigate the unfamiliar market confidently, allowing you to successfully become a property owner in this prosperous land – Australia. Guide to Buying Property in Australia 1.Understanding the Current State and Trends of the Australian Real Estate Market Australia's real estate market has consistently demonstrated robust growth, yet the nuances between different cities warrant in-depth exploration. We will delve into the distinct market conditions of major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. Sydney Sydney, situated in New South Wales, stands as one of Australia's most populous and densely populated cities. In 2021, it secured the 11th position globally as the most livable city, according to The Economist. This mature metropolis boasts considerable capital gains in the property market, with remarkable potential for appreciation. The local government actively promotes the Metropolitan Plan, integrating land, buildings, and transportation infrastructure, with projections extending development efforts until 2036. This sustained development further elevates Sydney's real estate prospects, drawing investors to purchase property in the city. Melbourne Melbourne, located in the state of Victoria, stands as Australia's second-largest city and is widely recognized as a crucial hub representing Australian culture, often referred to as the "City of Arts." Melbourne has consecutively held its position as one of the most livable cities globally for seven years, securing the second-highest rental yield across Australia. To stimulate the property market, the local state government offers exemptions on stamp duty and land tax, aiming to assist homebuyers in easing the burden of property purchases. This initiative is a significant factor drawing many to invest in property in Melbourne. Perth Perth, situated in Western Australia, is Australia's fourth-largest city, experiencing rapid population growth. Renowned for its spacious and comfortable residential areas and high-quality standard of living, Perth has been consistently rated as one of the most livable cities globally, particularly favored by Hong Kong residents. Investing in property in Perth, both for purchase and rental, offers stable rental returns. Even during periods of greater market fluctuations in other Australian cities, Perth remains one of the regions with the highest appreciation rates, making buying property in Perth an ideal investment choice. Gold Coast In recent years, many individuals have been purchasing property on the Gold Coast, located along the coastline of Queensland. Known for its over 300 days of sunshine and a 57-kilometer-long coastline, the Gold Coast has gained prominence with the thriving tourism industry. The local property market has shown an upward trend, making it an undeniable investment haven in Australia. Brisbane Brisbane, situated in Queensland, is Australia's third-largest city. Compared to Sydney and Melbourne, the cost of living in Brisbane is relatively lower. Currently, Brisbane is undergoing large-scale infrastructure development plans, with the expectation that property prices will double in the next 8 to 10 years. Brisbane's real estate market demonstrates significant potential for appreciation. Adelaide Adelaide, located in South Australia, is Australia's fifth-largest city and ranks among the top ten most livable cities globally. Due to the comparatively affordable property prices in the local market, buying property in Adelaide has become an ideal choice for first-time homebuyers. Canberra As the capital of Australia, Canberra is a meticulously planned city. Its stable economy, thriving tourism industry, and extremely low vacancy rates contribute to the city consistently ranking third in rental returns nationwide. Approximately 80% of Canberra's residents have a university education, and 70% are public servants. Foreign buyers in Canberra are also attracted by the fact that they do not need to pay additional stamp duty, making property investment in Canberra particularly appealing to overseas investors. 2. Advantages and Reasons for Buying Property in Australia Australia, being a preferred destination for investment, attracts investors with its political stability, economic prosperity, high-quality education, and living standards. We will delve into these advantages to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the motivations for investing in Australia. Firstly, the advantage of permanent property rights. Australian real estate grants permanent property rights, in contrast to Hong Kong's 99-year leases, providing both "ownership" and "usage rights." Most properties are Freehold, meaning permanent property rights with no time limit, allowing for intergenerational transmission. In terms of inheritance tax, Australia has none, enabling property owners to confidently pass on their assets to the next generation. The advantage of a continuously growing population. The attractiveness of the Australian property market lies in its mature stability and robust legal system, with continuous population growth being a major factor. Australia issues approximately 200,000 immigration quotas annually, and by 2031, housing demand is expected to surpass supply by 663,000 units. Coupled with the increasing demand for rentals, investors can benefit from a stable market with substantial growth potential. Legal protection and a robust property market. Australia ranks third globally in terms of transparency in property legislation, and the property market shows steady trends. Over the past three decades, Australian properties have averaged a 7% return on investment annually, reflecting the stable housing policies and subsidies provided by the Australian government. Large-scale infrastructure projects further drive property prices, create employment opportunities, making Australia an ideal destination for real estate investment. 3.Understanding Key Factors in Choosing Australian Property When selecting investment properties in Australia, various factors need to be considered, including the choice of Australian cities, community environment, and transportation convenience. These are crucial factors influencing property purchase decisions. Through a detailed analysis of these key factors, we will provide practical recommendations on how to choose locations that align with your investment goals. Rental Yield The rental yield of a property reflects the willingness of tenants to reside in that area. Therefore, observing whether rental prices are increasing is a direct indicator of the area's popularity. Ideally, look for areas where rents are expected to rise rather than remain stagnant. Such areas are often highly sought after, with buyers willing to pay higher prices. If properties in an area consistently sell with prices and rents steadily increasing, and there are multiple such properties in the area, it is likely to be a prosperous investment location. Days on Market A simple method to assess a property is by observing the number of days a property remains on the market. If a property takes over approximately 60 days to sell, there may be reasons deterring buyers. Conversely, a property that sells within 3-4 weeks indicates high demand and quick buyer interest. Generally, if a real estate market in an area is healthy, and homes sell quickly, it's worth considering property acquisition in that area. Most buyers consider 21-30 days as the optimal selling period. Vacancy Rate One of the primary concerns for property investors is the potential for long-term vacancies, hindering the property's rental income potential. Buyers need to pay attention to the vacancy rate in the area, as low vacancy rates make it easier to rent out properties at higher prices. High vacancy rates indicate that the area may not be desirable for tenants, with property supply exceeding demand, making it challenging to achieve higher rents or sell properties at a premium. Proximity to Quality Schools For families prioritizing their children's education, finding a property near a good school is crucial. These popular school districts often experience intense competition, with parents willing to pay higher property and municipal fees for the privilege of being close to schools. Properties near renowned Australian schools are likely to attract more buyers and tenants. Investors can charge higher rents, and over time, properties near schools tend to retain their value or even appreciate, as buyers consistently prioritize properties in school districts even in turbulent market conditions. Population Structure The younger generation, especially millennials, is leaving their mark on the real estate market. Generally, suburbs with a higher number of young residents experience a chain reaction of soaring property prices and rents. This is because the formation of new demographics and interests brings a series of facilities considered essential to the area. Young residents, composed of creative talents and graduates, are more likely to use their skills and abilities to enhance the community's attractiveness and popularity. Public Transportation Promising areas often have convenient transportation, be it buses, trains, or ferries. Potential tenants and property buyers look for more convenient and affordable transportation options. If a suburb is isolated from the rest of the city, property and land prices are likely to decrease. Lack of public transportation puts an area at a disadvantage. Reports indicate that a considerable number of potential property buyers in Australia consider travel time to important locations when searching for a house. Considerations When Buying Property in Australia 1. Approval from FIRB Purchasing property in Australia requires scrutiny by the FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board). FIRB is the specialized body responsible for reviewing foreign investments. Everyone, except Australian citizens or those with permanent residency, must apply to FIRB online for approval before buying property in Australia. 2. Visa Restrictions on Property Buyers in Australia When purchasing property in Australia, different restrictions apply based on the type of visa the buyer holds: - Temporary or Bridging Visa Holders If you hold a temporary resident visa for a continuous period of 12 months or more or have a bridging visa issued while applying for a permanent visa, you can buy both new and existing properties. However, existing properties can only be used for personal residence and cannot be leased. - Short-Term Visa Holders If you hold a short-term visa, purchasing Australian property is subject to scrutiny by the Australian government. Moreover, it is limited to buying new properties and excludes the purchase of existing properties. 3. Considerations for Overseas Property Mortgages Local banks in Australia do provide mortgage services for foreigners. However, similar to many countries, the eligibility criteria for foreigners applying for mortgages are stringent. It is recommended that property buyers hire mortgage consultants to handle the application process. The loan-to-value ratio for foreigners is typically 70% of the property value, with annual interest rates ranging between 6.5% and 8%. 4. Tax and Fee Considerations for Buying Property in Australia There are several taxes and fees associated with purchasing property in Australia, including: - Stamp Duty The rate varies across different states and is borne by the buyer. - Foreign Buyer Stamp Duty Some states in Australia impose additional stamp duty on foreign buyers. - Land Tax The rate depends on the state. - Land Tax Surcharge Some states charge an additional land tax for foreign buyers. - Foreign Investment Review Board Fee The buyer is charged an investment review fee based on the property type and sale price. 5. Post-Purchase Property Valuation, Maintenance, and Leasing Considerations After buying property in Australia, property valuation, maintenance, and leasing are crucial aspects for long-term investment returns. Seeking assistance from professional Australian real estate experts and understanding the local property market through advice and recommendations can help investors formulate comprehensive property management strategies. Avoiding Pitfalls When Buying Property in Australia 1. Failure to Seek Professional Advice It's a common pitfall to be overly confident and not seek advice from professionals before buying property in Australia. Due to variations in property purchasing laws and regulations in each country, many investors often underestimate the unique legal system and buying procedures in Australia. To avoid falling into this trap when buying property in Australia, investors should proactively seek advice from professional experts in Australian law, taxation, and real estate. This ensures that the investment plan for buying property in Australia is legal and manageable in terms of risks. 2. Approaching Property Investment with a "One-Time Effort" Attitude Treating investment in Australian properties as a one-time effort is another noteworthy pitfall. Some investors may expect permanent profits through a single investment, overlooking the variables in property management and market fluctuations in Australia. In reality, investing in Australian properties requires long-term operation and management, with timely adjustments to strategies to adapt to market changes. Investors in Australian property should maintain rationality, avoid being misled by the idea of a "one-time effort," and instead adopt proactive and effective management methods to pursue long-term stable returns. 3. Blindly Trusting Media Hype Media hype often has a strong impact on Australian property investors and is an easy trap to fall into. Unfounded market predictions or hotspot reports may lead investors to blindly believe in market conditions, resulting in hasty investment decisions. The Australian real estate market is complex and dynamic, and investors should stay calm, not be influenced by media hype, carefully analyze market data and trends, or seek professional advice to develop reasonable investment strategies. 4. Inability to Identify Property Investment Scams In the Australian property market, there are some investment scams that investors may fall into due to an inability to identify them. This includes false Australian property details, fabricated return expectations, and illegal sales tactics. To guard against this pitfall, investors should be cautious, avoid trusting investment projects of uncertain origin, and obtain reliable information through legal channels to ensure the legitimacy and security of their investments. While there are numerous opportunities in the Australian property market, the probability of risks cannot be ignored. Investors should remain vigilant, seek professional advice, approach the market rationally, and identify and avoid potential pitfalls to ensure the safety and long-term value appreciation of their property investments in Australia. Summary Investing in Australian properties is not just an investment, it's a well-thought-out plan. In-depth understanding of the Australian property market and meticulous decision-making are key to success. First and foremost, recognizing the importance of a comprehensive strategy and considerations for buying property in Australia is not only about risk management but also ensuring the long-term stability and appreciation of investments. Secondly, seeking advice from professionals before investing in Australian properties is crucial. Through a thorough understanding of market conditions and in-depth research on property trends, making wise choices with a calm mindset becomes paramount. Finally, for those looking to invest in Australian properties and avoid investment pitfalls, exploring additional resources and information through various channels is essential. With over a decade of focus on the Australian real estate industry and being an immigrant from Hong Kong, Alison is dedicated to helping more and more people plan and achieve their investment goals. Compared to other property websites, Alison provides a personal touch with professional experience to cater to diverse property needs. The success of investing in Australian properties not only depends on seizing market opportunities but also requires a wealth of knowledge and a cautious mindset to ensure steady and long-term development of investments. Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/