Wattle House
Buying Property in Australia 2026
How to Buy Property in Australia 2026 — 5 Steps from A to Z
FIRB, Stamp Duty, Conveyancer, Settlement… These legal terms can feel overwhelming for overseas buyers. But once you understand the process, buying property in Australia is transparent, secure, and can be completed within 3–6 months.

Australia’s property purchase process is legally protected at every step — transparent and secure
1
FIRB Approval — Mandatory for Foreign Buyers
Foreign Investment Review Board · Processing time: 30 days · Fee based on property value
If you are a non-resident of Australia, you must obtain approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) before signing any property purchase contract. This is a mandatory legal requirement in Australia — not a project-specific condition.
FIRB approves most applications to purchase new residential property within 30 business days. Fees are based on the property value:
| Property Value | FIRB Fee (est.) |
|---|
| Under $1M AUD | $14,700 AUD |
| $1M – $2M AUD | $29,300 AUD |
| $2M – $3M AUD | $58,700 AUD |
✅ Wattle House Support: The Infiniti Property Corporation team assists with the entire FIRB application process — free consultation and step-by-step guidance included.
2
Finance Preparation — Home Loan Pre-Approval
Home Loan Pre-approval · Max LVR 70–80% · Interest rates from 5.99%/year (2026)
Australian banks (CBA, ANZ, Westpac, NAB and others) do lend to foreign buyers, however the maximum Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) is typically 60–70% for non-residents, and up to 80% for Permanent Residents (PR). Several lenders offer dedicated programs for Vietnamese-Australian buyers with Vietnamese-language support.
Practical step: Connect with a Vietnamese-speaking Mortgage Broker in Melbourne — they compare rates from 30+ lenders and charge no fees to the borrower.
Pre-approval in 3–5 days
No Australian residency required
Vietnamese-speaking support available
Fixed & variable rate options

The contract signing and settlement process in Australia is strictly regulated and legally protected

Melbourne — one of the most transparent and secure property markets in the Asia-Pacific region
3
Sign the Contract of Sale & Pay Deposit
3-day cooling-off period · 10% deposit · Your Conveyancer protects you
Once FIRB approval and bank pre-approval are in place, you sign the Contract of Sale and pay a deposit — typically 10% of the purchase price. For Wattle House, you can secure your chosen property with just $5,000 AUD, with the remainder due at formal contract signing.
A Conveyancer is a licensed property lawyer who reviews the contract, ensures clean title and represents your interests throughout the transaction. Conveyancer fees typically range from $1,500 – $2,500 AUD — an essential investment to protect your million-dollar asset.
⚠️ Important: In Victoria, buyers have a 3-business-day cooling-off period after signing the Contract of Sale — except for auction purchases. For off-the-plan properties like Wattle House, the cooling-off period is 3 business days.
4
Stamp Duty & Additional Purchase Costs
Land Transfer Duty · Victoria 2026 · Calculated on purchase price
Stamp Duty (also known as Land Transfer Duty) is a state government tax applied when property changes hands in Victoria. It is one of the largest additional costs to budget for beyond the purchase price:
| Cost Item | Estimate (property at $1.28M AUD) |
|---|
| Stamp Duty (Victoria) | ~$55,800 AUD |
| Foreign Purchaser Surcharge (AFSD 8%) | ~$102,400 AUD |
| Conveyancer Fee | $1,500 – $2,500 AUD |
| Building & Pest Inspection | $500 – $800 AUD |
| FIRB Application Fee | $29,300 AUD |
| Total Additional Costs (est.) | ~$190,000 – $195,000 AUD |
💡 Note: Permanent Residents and Australian Citizens are exempt from the Foreign Purchaser Surcharge (AFSD). Total additional costs drop significantly — to approximately $58,000 – $60,000 AUD. This is one of the key reasons many investors prioritise updating their visa status before purchasing.
5
Settlement — Collect Your Keys & Complete the Purchase
Final Inspection · Settlement Day · You are now the legal owner
Settlement is the day the transaction is finalised — the bank transfers the loan funds to the vendor, you pay the remaining balance (if any), and legal ownership is transferred to your name in the Land Registry. From this moment, you are the official owner.
Prior to settlement, you are entitled to a Final Inspection to confirm the property is delivered as per the contract — including finish quality, agreed fixtures and overall condition.
For Wattle House, the estimated handover is December 2026 (earliest). Infiniti Property Corporation provides full support throughout — including bilingual assistance at every signing.
Final Inspection before settlement
7-year structural warranty
Property tax filing assistance
Property manager referral
Complete Purchase Timeline
Week 1–2: Project consultation, $5,000 AUD expression of interest deposit →
Week 2–4: Submit FIRB application, connect with Mortgage Broker →
Month 2: FIRB approved, sign Contract of Sale, pay 10% deposit →
Months 3–11: Monitor construction progress →
December 2026: Final Inspection + Settlement + Collect Keys
Looking for more information, here: