beatts

Just wondering if anyone has bought a house while here on a temp visa,I know you have to get some sort of permision but has anyone done it?
Cheers

julesandco

Yes, we have.

You just need to get FIRB approval (Foreign Investment Review Board). Quite straight forward and the forms can be downloaded from the website.

http://www.firb.gov.au/content/default.asp

Good luck

Jules x

cresta57

My folks did it on a 4 year retirement visa. You have to have permission from the FIRB.
http://www.firb.gov.au/content/default.asp

Q6. I am a foreign person living in Australia on a long stay, temporary resident visa. Do I need approval to buy an established house to live in?

A. Yes. Foreign persons temporarily resident in Australia for a period exceeding 12 months from the time of application for approval are eligible under foreign investment policy to acquire residential real estate. If the property being purchased is an established dwelling, that is, one that has been previously occupied or sold, foreign investment approval is still available provided that the dwelling is to be used as the person’s principal place of residence, not for rental purposes and the property must be sold when their visa expires or they cease to reside in Australia. For more detailed information, see Policy

beatts

Cheers but could you tell me if there was a limit to how much you can spend as the site say's $300kand as we are on the Goldcoast house prices are a little more expensive.Also did you build your own house or an older house and could you please tell me what visa you are on.
Thanks

cresta57

When my folks built the $300k limit was only for students buying homes.
As house prices have rocketed in the last few years I'd assume the FIRB would allow a little flexibility. You could try emailing them your questions directly [address on the site]

skye

We bought on the Gold Coast with FIRB approval for more than $300k dont think there is a limit!

mickandtrace

We bought on Sunshine Coast $550,000 with FIRB approval, not a problem and that was only four months ago.

julesandco

I don't think there's a limit. We're building and bought a house to live in whilst waiting and got FIRB for both (over $ 300k)

Jules x

cbeeb

What form did you fill in for Building. I lookked on website and talked mostly about 2nd hand home buying. Bought a block of land in a new estate if that helps. Thanks

Carbery

We bought on the Gold Coast 18 months ago on a temp business owner visa.
Just make sure one of the conditions in the contract is 'subject to FIRB approval'.

Geelong Gent

Yes but my temp visa did not require me to get FIRB approval - having said that if my wife had gone on the ownership papers we would of needed it.

Please see attach PDF sent to me by FIRB.