What properties can you buy in Australiawith $100k, $300k, $500k and more? (January 2026)

Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Australia Property Pack

Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Australia Property Pack

What can I realistically buy with $100k in Australia right now?

Are there any decent properties for $100k in Australia, or is it all scams?

With $100,000 (approximately A$149,000 in early 2026), you cannot realistically purchase a decent property in any major Australian capital city, as Sydney's median dwelling price sits at A$1.28 million, Melbourne's at A$827,000, and Brisbane's at over A$1 million.

At this budget in Australia in 2026, the most legitimate options are very small regional apartments in towns like Brewarrina in New South Wales (median around A$104,000), Jeparit in Victoria (around A$158,000), or remote mining towns in Western Australia and Queensland, but these locations often lack infrastructure, jobs, and services.

It is not possible to buy in popular or upscale areas of Australia for $100,000, not even a studio apartment, because even the cheapest units in outer suburbs of capital cities typically start well above A$300,000, and the foreign buyer restrictions mean you would need to find new stock at this price point, which essentially does not exist.

What property types can I afford for $100k in Australia (studio, land, old house)?

For approximately A$149,000 in Australia in 2026, you might find a very small regional lot of vacant land in remote areas, a rundown older house in a declining regional town, or occasionally a small unit in a low-demand area, but none of these options would be available to foreign buyers who are restricted to new dwellings.

At this price point in Australia, buyers should expect properties that need significant work, are located far from employment centers, and may have issues like flood risk, poor infrastructure, or declining local economies.

If you could somehow access this price tier, vacant land in a regional growth area would typically offer the best long-term value in Australia, but the requirement for foreign buyers to develop within a set timeframe, plus the cost of connecting utilities and building, means this rarely works out as a budget option.

What's a realistic budget to get a comfortable property in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the realistic minimum budget for a comfortable property in Australia is approximately A$500,000 to A$600,000 ($335,000 to $400,000 or €305,000 to €365,000), which would get you a modest apartment in outer suburbs of Adelaide, Perth, or some regional cities.

Most buyers in Australia in 2026 need a budget of A$700,000 to A$1,000,000 ($470,000 to $670,000 or €425,000 to €610,000) to reach a comfortable standard in a capital city, meaning a 2-bedroom apartment or a small house in an outer suburb.

"Comfortable" in Australia generally means a property of at least 70 to 100 square meters with two bedrooms, a functional kitchen and bathroom, secure parking, and reasonable proximity to public transport or major roads.

The required budget varies dramatically by neighborhood in Australia: inner Sydney or Melbourne can require A$1.5 million or more for a family apartment, while outer Adelaide or regional Tasmania might deliver similar space for under A$600,000.

What can I get with a $200k budget in Australia as of 2026?

What "normal" homes become available at $200k in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, $200,000 (approximately A$297,000) in Australia gets you into the territory of older one-bedroom units in regional centers like Bundaberg in Queensland, Elizabeth in South Australia, or Rockingham in Western Australia, but these are still rare finds and often need renovation.

At this budget in Australia, you can typically expect 40 to 60 square meters (430 to 645 square feet), usually a one-bedroom apartment or studio in a regional location, not in any major capital city center.

By the way, we have much more granular data about housing prices in our property pack about Australia.

What places are the smartest $200k buys in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the smartest areas to buy at the $200,000 (A$297,000) level in Australia include suburbs in the Ipswich corridor in Queensland (like Goodna or Collingwood Park), Elizabeth and Salisbury in South Australia, and Armadale or Gosnells in Western Australia, where you might still find older units or townhouses.

These areas are smarter buys compared to other $200,000 options in Australia because they sit on major transport corridors, have established infrastructure, and benefit from spillover demand as prices rise in nearby capital city centers.

The main growth driver in these smart-buy areas of Australia is infrastructure investment, including rail extensions, new hospitals, and government housing renewal programs that are transforming formerly overlooked suburbs into more desirable locations.

What can I buy with $300k in Australia in 2026?

What quality upgrade do I get at $300k in Australia in 2026?

As of early 2026, moving from $200,000 to $300,000 (approximately A$446,000) in Australia means you can access decent one-bedroom or small two-bedroom units in some outer capital city suburbs, particularly in Adelaide, Perth, and parts of Brisbane's outer rings.

At A$446,000, you can sometimes buy a property in a newer building in Australia, especially in Perth's northern corridor suburbs like Baldivis or Ellenbrook, or Adelaide's growth areas like Munno Para, where new apartment and townhouse developments target first-home buyers.

Specific features that typically become available at the A$446,000 budget in Australia include secure underground parking, modern kitchens with stone benchtops, split-system air conditioning, and access to building amenities like a gym or pool in some complexes.

Can $300k buy a 2-bedroom in Australia in 2026 in good areas?

As of early 2026, finding a 2-bedroom property for $300,000 (A$446,000) in genuinely good areas of Australia is difficult but possible in Adelaide suburbs like Salisbury, Parafield Gardens, or Modbury, and in Perth areas like Mirrabooka, Balga, or Midland.

Specific good areas in Australia offering 2-bedroom options at this budget include Logan Central and Beenleigh in Brisbane's south, Werribee and Tarneit in Melbourne's west, and Elizabeth Vale and Smithfield in Adelaide's north, all of which have train stations and shopping centers.

A $300,000 (A$446,000) 2-bedroom in Australia typically offers 60 to 80 square meters (645 to 860 square feet), though sizes can vary significantly based on whether you are buying a unit, townhouse, or older villa.

Which places become "accessible" at $300k in Australia as of 2026?

At the $300,000 (A$446,000) price point in Australia, neighborhoods that become accessible include Melbourne's outer west (Werribee, Tarneit, Melton), Brisbane's southern corridor (Logan, Beenleigh), Perth's growth suburbs (Armadale, Gosnells, Rockingham), and Adelaide's northern ring (Elizabeth, Salisbury, Munno Para).

These newly accessible areas in Australia are more desirable than lower-budget options because they have established shopping centers, train stations connecting to the CBD, hospitals, schools, and a mix of housing types rather than being isolated regional towns.

In these newly accessible areas of Australia for $300,000, buyers can typically expect older 2-bedroom units, small townhouses, or occasionally a basic older house on a small block that may need some updating.

By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Australia.

What does a $500k budget unlock in Australia in 2026?

What's the typical size and location for $500k in Australia in 2026?

As of early 2026, $500,000 (approximately A$744,000) in Australia typically gets you 80 to 120 square meters (860 to 1,290 square feet) in a unit or townhouse in middle-ring suburbs of Adelaide, Perth, or Brisbane, or a small house in outer growth corridors.

At A$744,000, you can buy a family home with outdoor space in Australia, particularly in Adelaide suburbs like Tea Tree Gully, Paradise, or Modbury Heights, Perth areas like Baldivis, Ellenbrook, or Butler, and Brisbane's Ipswich region.

The typical property available at $500,000 in Australia is a 3-bedroom, 1 to 2 bathroom home, often with a single garage and a small backyard, or a larger 2-bedroom apartment with parking in a more central location.

Finally, please note that we cover all the housing price data in Australia here.

Which "premium" neighborhoods open up at $500k in Australia in 2026?

At the $500,000 (A$744,000) price point in Australia, premium neighborhoods that start to open up include Melbourne's bayside fringe (units in Frankston, Chelsea), Sydney's outer southwest (units in Liverpool, Campbelltown), Brisbane's inner-north (small units in Bowen Hills, Newstead), and Perth's riverside suburbs (units in South Perth, Victoria Park).

These neighborhoods are considered premium in Australia because they offer lifestyle features like beach or river access, established cafe strips, quality schools, and shorter commutes to the CBD compared to outer growth suburbs.

For $500,000 in these premium Australian neighborhoods, buyers can realistically expect a well-maintained 1 to 2 bedroom apartment of 50 to 70 square meters, often in an older but solid building, rather than a house with land.

What counts as "luxury" in Australia in 2026?

At what amount does "luxury" start in Australia right now?

In Australia in 2026, luxury properties generally start at approximately A$3,000,000 ($2,000,000 or €1,800,000), which is the threshold where you begin seeing architect-designed homes, premium finishes, water views, and prestigious addresses.

Entry-level luxury in Australia means features like harbour or ocean views, high-end European appliances, stone benchtops, engineered timber floors, smart home technology, and either a prestige address or significant land size in a sought-after school zone.

Australia's luxury threshold is broadly comparable to other major English-speaking markets like Canada and the UK, though significantly below New York or London, and roughly in line with cities like Miami or Los Angeles when adjusted for location quality.

The typical price range for mid-tier luxury in Australia in 2026 is A$5,000,000 to A$10,000,000 ($3.35 million to $6.7 million or €3 million to €6 million), while top-tier luxury in harbourfront Sydney or beachfront Melbourne commands A$15,000,000 to A$50,000,000 and beyond.

Which areas are truly high-end in Australia right now?

The truly high-end neighborhoods in Australia in 2026 include Sydney's Point Piper, Vaucluse, Bellevue Hill, and Mosman, Melbourne's Toorak, South Yarra, and Brighton, Brisbane's New Farm and Teneriffe, Perth's Cottesloe and Peppermint Grove, and Adelaide's Medindie and Unley Park.

These areas are considered truly high-end in Australia because they combine prestige school catchments, harbour or beach access, heritage architecture mixed with contemporary design, established gardens, and a concentration of Australia's wealthiest residents.

The typical buyer profile for these high-end Australian areas includes business owners and executives, medical specialists, successful entrepreneurs, interstate and international wealth relocating for lifestyle, and multi-generational Australian families upgrading within the same premium suburb.

How much does it really cost to buy, beyond the price, in Australia in 2026?

What are the total closing costs in Australia in 2026 as a percentage?

As of early 2026, total closing costs in Australia for foreign buyers typically range from 10% to 15% of the purchase price, compared to approximately 5% to 7% for Australian citizens and permanent residents.

The realistic low-to-high percentage range covering most standard transactions in Australia is 4% to 6% for locals (stamp duty plus legal and inspection fees) and 12% to 17% for foreign buyers (adding foreign purchaser surcharges and FIRB fees).

The specific fee categories making up the total percentage in Australia include stamp duty (transfer duty), foreign purchaser duty surcharge (7% to 9% depending on state), FIRB application fees (starting at A$14,700 for properties under A$1 million), conveyancing or legal fees, building and pest inspections, and registration fees.

To avoid hidden costs and bad surprises, you can check our our pack covering the property buying process in Australia.

How much are notary, registration, and legal fees in Australia in 2026?

As of early 2026, conveyancing and legal fees in Australia typically cost A$1,500 to A$3,500 ($1,000 to $2,350 or €900 to €2,130), registration fees vary by state from A$150 to A$500, and Australia does not use notaries for standard property transactions as in European systems.

These fees in Australia represent approximately 0.2% to 0.5% of a typical property purchase price, making them a relatively small component compared to stamp duty.

Of the legal and administrative fees in Australia, conveyancing or solicitor fees are usually the most expensive component, followed by building and pest inspections (typically A$400 to A$800), with land registration being the smallest fixed cost.

What annual property taxes should I expect in Australia in 2026?

As of early 2026, annual property taxes in Australia for a typical property include council rates of A$1,500 to A$4,000 ($1,000 to $2,680 or €910 to €2,440) per year depending on the local government area, plus potential land tax if you are not an owner-occupier.

Council rates in Australia typically represent about 0.2% to 0.5% of the property's value annually, while land tax (for investment properties) can add another 0.5% to 2% above state-specific thresholds.

Property taxes in Australia vary significantly by location: Sydney inner-city councils charge higher rates than regional areas, and foreign owners face additional land tax surcharges of 2% to 4% in most states, making holding costs substantially higher for non-residents.

Some exemptions exist in Australia, particularly for owner-occupiers who are exempt from land tax, and pensioners or concession card holders who may receive rate reductions, though foreign buyers typically cannot access these concessions.

You can find the list of all property taxes, costs and fees when buying in Australia here.

Is mortgage a viable option for foreigners in Australia right now?

Getting a mortgage as a foreigner in Australia in 2026 is possible but significantly harder than for residents, with most major banks limiting lending to foreign buyers or requiring much higher deposits and documentation.

Foreign buyers in Australia can typically access loan-to-value ratios of 60% to 70% (meaning 30% to 40% deposit required), compared to 80% to 95% for residents, and interest rates may be 0.5% to 1% higher than standard residential rates.

Documentation requirements for foreign buyers seeking a mortgage in Australia include proof of overseas income (often requiring certified translations), tax returns from your home country, evidence of the source of deposit funds, a valid passport and visa documentation, and sometimes a formal credit check in your country of residence.

You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Australia.

What should I predict for resale and growth in Australia in 2026?

What property types resell fastest in Australia in 2026?

As of early 2026, the property types that resell fastest in Australia are move-in-ready family homes in good school catchments, well-located 2-bedroom apartments near transport, and modern townhouses that appeal to both owner-occupiers and investors.

The typical time on market to sell a property in Australia in 2026 ranges from 25 to 45 days in strong markets like Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide, while softer markets like Melbourne may see 50 to 70 days or more.

Properties sell faster in Australia when they sit in the median price band for their suburb, have no major defects requiring immediate work, and appeal to the largest pool of buyers rather than niche markets.

The slowest property types to resell in Australia in 2026 include investor-grade studio apartments in oversupplied areas, properties with complex strata issues or building defects, large rural blocks requiring significant maintenance, and luxury homes at the very top of the market where buyer pools are small.

If you're interested, we cover all the best exit strategies in our real estate pack about Australia.

What sources have we used to write this blog article?

Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Australia, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can ... and we don't throw out numbers at random.

We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.