Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Australia Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Perth's property market is included in our pack
Yes, foreigners can legally own land in Perth, but there are strict rules about what you can buy, and you will almost always need government approval first.
This guide explains who can buy, what types of property are allowed, how much it really costs, and how to avoid the common traps that catch foreign buyers in Western Australia.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest regulations, fees, and market conditions affecting foreign buyers in Perth.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Perth.
Insights
- Foreign buyers in Perth face total closing costs between 12% and 15% of the purchase price in 2026, largely because Western Australia charges a 7% foreign buyer duty surcharge on top of regular stamp duty.
- Australia's nationwide ban on foreign purchases of established dwellings runs from April 2025 to March 2027, which means most existing houses and apartments in Perth are off-limits to foreign buyers right now.
- The FIRB application fee for a Perth property priced at AUD 1 million or less is AUD 15,100 in 2026, adding roughly 1.5% to your upfront costs before you even pay stamp duty.
- Perth's median dwelling value reached AUD 875,000 by late 2025, which means the 7% foreign transfer duty alone adds about AUD 61,000 to a typical purchase.
- Mortgage rates for foreign buyers in Perth typically run 0.25% to 1% higher than rates for local borrowers, and lenders commonly require deposits of 30% to 40% or more.
- Western Australia's 7% foreign transfer duty is actually the lowest surcharge in Australia alongside South Australia, making Perth relatively attractive compared to Sydney or Melbourne for foreign investment.
- Identity fraud targeting Perth properties is a documented problem, with cases where overseas owners had their homes sold without consent by scammers using forged documents.
- Buying property in Perth does not give you Australian residency or citizenship, as Australia's investor visa program (BIIP) has been closed to new applicants and there is no property-based immigration pathway.
Can a foreigner legally own land in Perth right now?
Can foreigners own land in Perth in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners can legally own land in Perth, but you must get approval from the Australian Government's Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) before purchasing, and you are generally restricted to buying new dwellings or vacant land rather than existing homes.
The main restriction that matters right now is Australia's ban on established dwelling purchases, which runs from April 2025 to March 2027, meaning most existing houses and apartments in Perth are simply not available for foreign buyers to purchase.
If you cannot buy an established home, the closest legal alternative is to purchase a new dwelling (such as an off-the-plan apartment) or buy vacant land with the condition that you build on it within a set timeframe, usually four years.
There are no nationality-based restrictions that treat certain foreign passports differently from others when buying residential property in Perth, as the rules focus on your residency status (whether you are a non-resident or temporary resident) rather than which country you come from.
Can I own a house but not the land in Perth in 2026?
As of early 2026, Perth's ownership system does not typically separate house ownership from land ownership the way some Asian countries do, so when you buy a freehold house in Perth you own both the building and the land underneath it.
If you buy a strata-titled apartment or townhouse, you receive a Certificate of Title that shows your ownership of the unit itself plus a share in the common property (including the land) through the strata scheme, which is different from owning land outright but still constitutes legal ownership.
Long-term residential leases where you own the building but not the land are rare in Perth's mainstream market, and if you do find such an arrangement, your building rights would typically end when the lease expires unless renewal terms are built into the agreement.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Australia. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
Do rules differ by region or city for land ownership in Perth right now?
The foreign investment permission rules are set at the federal level, so the same FIRB approval requirements apply whether you buy in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, or anywhere else in Australia.
What does vary by state is the additional tax burden, and Western Australia charges a 7% foreign transfer duty surcharge on residential property purchases by foreign persons, which is actually the lowest surcharge in Australia alongside South Australia.
These regional differences exist because each Australian state and territory has the power to set its own property taxes and duty rates, even though the underlying foreign investment approval framework comes from the federal government.
We cover a lot of different regions and cities in our pack about the property market in Perth.
Can I buy land in Perth through marriage to a local in 2026?
As of early 2026, marriage to an Australian citizen or permanent resident does not automatically grant you the right to buy any property you want in Perth, because foreign investment rules key off your own residency status rather than your spouse's citizenship.
If your Australian spouse buys property solely in their name, foreign investment approval may not be required for that purchase, but you should get legal advice about how joint finances, beneficial ownership, and trust arrangements might still trigger foreign buyer rules or the 7% WA foreign transfer duty.
If your marriage ends in divorce, property settlement will follow Australian family law, but if you used a structure where you secretly funded a property in your spouse's name, you may have difficulty proving your interest and could face complications or penalties under both family law and foreign investment law.
There is a lot of mistakes you can make, we cover 99% of them in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Perth.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Australia. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
What eligibility and status do I need to buy land in Perth?
Do I need residency to buy land in Perth in 2026?
As of early 2026, you do not need Australian residency to apply to buy land in Perth, as non-residents can apply for FIRB approval, but your residency status directly affects what types of property you are allowed to purchase.
There is no specific visa required just to complete a land transaction in Perth, though temporary residents (such as those on work or student visas) have slightly different rules and may be permitted to buy one established dwelling for personal use, which must be sold when they leave Australia.
You can legally buy property in Perth remotely without being physically present, as most buyers sign documents electronically and appoint a licensed settlement agent to handle the transaction, though you will need to complete identity verification requirements which can be more complex from overseas.
Do I need a local tax number to buy lands in Perth?
You do not need an Australian Tax File Number (TFN) just to purchase land in Perth, but you will likely need one later for rental income tax reporting or when you sell the property and face capital gains tax.
Obtaining a TFN as a foreigner typically requires applying through the Australian Taxation Office, and the timeline varies depending on your circumstances, though many foreign buyers proceed with purchases before having a TFN and sort it out afterward.
While not strictly mandatory, most foreign buyers do open an Australian bank account to handle deposit payments, settlement funds, and ongoing costs like council rates, and this step simplifies the transaction considerably.
Is there a minimum investment to buy land in Perth as of 2026?
As of early 2026, there is no official minimum purchase price for foreigners to buy land in Perth, but the practical minimum cost is driven by FIRB application fees (AUD 15,100 for properties up to AUD 1 million, roughly USD 9,800 or EUR 9,000) plus the 7% WA foreign transfer duty surcharge.
The minimum investment threshold does not vary by location within Perth or by property type, though different fee tiers apply based on the purchase price, and the combination of fees and duties means even modest properties become expensive once you add all costs together.
Are there restricted zones foreigners can't buy in Perth?
For mainstream residential purchases in Perth, there are no specific suburbs or zones that are automatically off-limits to foreigners, as the main restriction is property type (new versus established) rather than geographic location.
Australia's foreign investment framework does include concepts around "sensitive land" (such as proximity to defence facilities), but for typical suburban residential purchases in Perth this rarely comes into play unless you are buying near specific military or sensitive infrastructure.
To verify whether a specific plot falls within any restricted category, you should review the FIRB guidance on sensitive land and have your settlement agent or lawyer confirm the property's status before making an offer.
Can foreigners buy agricultural, coastal or border land in Perth right now?
For residential purchases in Perth, coastal suburbs like Scarborough, Cottesloe, and City Beach are not automatically off-limits just because they are near the ocean, as the same approval rules apply whether you buy inland or by the coast.
Agricultural land is a different legal category with its own FIRB thresholds (approval required when cumulative holdings exceed AUD 15 million), and if the land is genuinely agricultural rather than residential, you need to follow the agricultural investment rules instead.
Coastal land for residential use does not face special restrictions in Perth beyond the standard foreign investment approval requirements, so beachside suburbs remain available if you meet the new dwelling or vacant land criteria.
Border land restrictions are not really relevant for Perth since Western Australia's interstate and international borders are far from the metropolitan area, though the general "sensitive land" framework can apply in specific rare situations.
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What are the safest legal structures to control land in Perth?
Is a long-term lease equivalent to ownership in Perth right now?
In Perth's mainstream residential market, long-term leases are not equivalent to ownership and are rarely used as a substitute for freehold or strata title, unlike in some countries where 99-year leases are common.
While long registered leases do exist in WA law, there is no standard "maximum lease length" that foreigners use to approximate ownership, and typical residential tenancies are short-term rental arrangements rather than ownership-like interests.
If you do hold a registered lease interest, you may be able to sell, transfer, or bequeath those rights depending on the lease terms, but this is a niche situation in Perth and most buyers should focus on the standard freehold or strata ownership paths.
Can I buy land in Perth via a local company?
You can set up an Australian company to hold property in Perth, but this does not automatically avoid foreign investment rules because if you control the company (or it is classified as foreign-controlled), the company itself is treated as a foreign person for both FIRB approval and the WA 7% foreign transfer duty.
There is no magic shareholding structure that lets you bypass the rules, and in fact, using a company can add complexity and additional compliance requirements without changing your fundamental obligations under foreign investment law.
What "grey-area" ownership setups get foreigners in trouble in Perth?
Grey-area ownership arrangements are surprisingly common, as some foreigners try workarounds when they realize they cannot buy what they want, but these setups carry serious legal and financial risks.
The most common problematic structures include nominee or straw buyer arrangements (where an Australian friend or relative buys in their name while you fund the purchase), buying an established dwelling without approval and hoping no one notices, and handshake side agreements that contradict what is registered on title.
If authorities discover you are using an illegal or grey-area structure, consequences can include forced sale of the property, substantial financial penalties, and in serious cases criminal charges, plus you may have no legal recourse if your nominee decides to keep the property or sell it without your consent.
By the way, you can avoid most of these bad surprises if you go through our pack covering the property buying process in Perth.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Australia versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How does the land purchase process work in Perth, step-by-step?
What are the exact steps to buy land in Perth right now?
The typical sequence to buy property in Perth as a foreigner is: budget your total costs including all fees and duties, identify a property type you can legally purchase (new dwelling or vacant land), make an offer and negotiate terms, apply for FIRB approval before signing or make the contract conditional on approval, run title and encumbrance checks through Landgate, secure finance if needed, and complete settlement when funds transfer and title updates.
From initial offer to final registration, a straightforward Perth property transaction typically takes 30 to 60 days, though this can extend if FIRB approval timing is uncertain or if there are complex title issues or construction conditions to satisfy.
The key documents you will sign include the Contract of Sale (with any conditions like finance or FIRB approval), transfer documentation handled by your settlement agent, duty declarations including the foreign transfer duty declaration, and any lender documents if you are borrowing.
What scams are common when it comes to buying land in Perth right now?
What scams target foreign land buyers in Perth right now?
Property scams targeting Perth buyers are a documented problem, and WA Consumer Protection has issued specific warnings about identity fraud and fake seller schemes that particularly affect properties owned by people living overseas.
The most common scams include fake seller or seller impersonation (where criminals pretend to own a property and forge documents to sell it), deposit and settlement payment diversion (where hackers intercept emails and change bank details), fake listings targeting overseas buyers, and "no approval needed" lies for properties that actually require FIRB approval.
The top warning signs that a Perth property deal may be fraudulent are: the seller is unknown or claims to be overseas and cannot meet in person, payment instructions change suddenly or come through different email addresses, and deals that seem unusually urgent or too good to be true.
If you fall victim to a property scam in Perth, you can report it to WA Consumer Protection and WA Police, but recovering money sent overseas is extremely difficult, which is why prevention through verification is far more effective than trying to fix things afterward.
We cover all these things in length in our pack about the property market in Perth.
How do I verify the seller is legit in Perth right now?
The best way to verify a seller's legitimacy in Perth is to conduct a title search through Landgate, which shows the registered owner's name on the Certificate of Title, and then confirm that the person you are dealing with matches that registered owner through proper identity verification.
To confirm the title is clean and free of disputes, you or your settlement agent should order the Certificate of Title from Landgate, which will show any registered interests, caveats, or encumbrances that affect the property.
To check for existing liens, mortgages, or debts attached to the land, the same Landgate title search will reveal any registered mortgages or other financial interests, and your settlement agent should review these and ensure they will be discharged at settlement.
A licensed WA settlement agent (conveyancer) is essential for verifying seller legitimacy and handling the due diligence process, and if you have any concerns about complex legal issues or potential disputes, engaging a property lawyer as well provides an extra layer of protection.
How do I confirm land boundaries in Perth right now?
The standard procedure for confirming land boundaries in Perth is to obtain the survey or cadastral plan from Landgate, which shows the official dimensions and boundaries as recorded at the time of subdivision or survey.
The official documents to review include the Certificate of Title (which identifies the lot), the deposited plan or survey-strata plan (which shows boundaries and dimensions), and any easements or encumbrances that might affect where you can build.
While not always legally required, hiring a licensed surveyor to re-peg the boundaries is strongly recommended for vacant land purchases or when fences appear misaligned, as this gives you certainty about exactly what you are buying before you build.
Common boundary problems foreign buyers encounter in Perth include discovering after purchase that fences were built in the wrong location, finding that existing structures encroach onto neighboring land, and realizing that easements restrict where you can place buildings or pools.
Buying real estate in Perth can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
What will it cost me, all-in, to buy and hold land in Perth?
What purchase taxes and fees apply in Perth as of 2026?
As of early 2026, foreign buyers in Perth should budget for total closing costs between 12% and 15% of the purchase price, which is significantly higher than most buyers expect and is driven primarily by the 7% foreign transfer duty surcharge.
A typical closing cost breakdown for a foreign buyer in Perth includes: standard WA transfer duty (stamp duty) which varies by price, the 7% foreign transfer duty surcharge (roughly AUD 59,000 or USD 38,000 or EUR 35,000 on an AUD 845,000 median-priced house), FIRB application fees (AUD 15,100 or USD 9,800 or EUR 9,000 for properties up to AUD 1 million), settlement agent fees, title searches, and registration costs.
The main individual components are: WA transfer duty at standard rates (for example around AUD 33,000 or USD 21,500 or EUR 19,800 on an AUD 845,000 property), the 7% foreign surcharge, FIRB fees, settlement agent fees (typically AUD 1,000 to AUD 2,500 or USD 650 to USD 1,600), and various search and registration fees totaling a few hundred dollars.
Yes, the 7% foreign transfer duty surcharge is specifically an additional cost that only foreign buyers pay, while local Australian citizens and permanent residents avoid this charge entirely, creating a substantial price difference for the same property.
What hidden fees surprise foreigners in Perth most often?
Hidden or unexpected fees that surprise foreign buyers in Perth typically add an extra 2% to 4% on top of what people initially budget (roughly AUD 15,000 to AUD 35,000 or USD 9,700 to USD 22,700 or EUR 9,000 to EUR 21,000 on a median-priced property), beyond the already substantial duty and FIRB costs.
The top hidden fees that foreigners overlook include: title and plan search fees (AUD 30 to AUD 80 each, which add up when multiple documents are needed), strata levy arrears or special levies for building works (can be thousands of dollars), Verification of Identity fees (AUD 89 to AUD 159 per person at Australia Post), and higher mortgage establishment costs for foreign borrowers.
These hidden fees typically appear at different stages: search fees during due diligence, strata disclosure at contract review, VOI fees when documents are being prepared, and lender fees at finance approval, so you may feel hit with costs repeatedly throughout the process.
To protect yourself from unexpected fees, get a detailed cost estimate from your settlement agent before you sign anything, ask for strata disclosure documents early if buying an apartment, and have your lender confirm all finance-related fees in writing.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Australia compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
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 Perth, 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.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| FIRB Guidance Note 1 (Residential overview) | Official Australian Government guidance on foreign residential investment rules. | We used it to define what foreigners can and cannot buy. We also used it to explain approval conditions and the policy intent behind the rules. |
| ATO Foreign Investor Application Portal | The ATO runs the foreign investment application system. | We used it to confirm the established dwelling ban timing. We also used it to describe the current application process and fee levels. |
| WA Government Foreign Transfer Duty | Official WA Government publication with duty rates and scope. | We used it to confirm the 7% foreign surcharge rate. We also used it to anchor our closing cost estimates for Perth buyers. |
| Landgate (WA Land Information Authority) | WA's statutory authority for land titles and registration. | We used it to explain how ownership transfers work in WA. We also used it to describe title searches and verification processes. |
| WA Treasury Housing Market Snapshot | Official WA Government dashboard for housing market data. | We used it to cite the Perth median price context. We also used it to ground our cost examples in official government figures. |
| REIWA Perth Metro Market Data | Peak body for WA real estate professionals with transparent stats. | We used it to triangulate Perth pricing data. We also used it as a private-sector reality check on government figures. |
| WA Consumer Protection (Property Scams) | WA's consumer regulator documenting local fraud patterns. | We used it to list scams specifically documented in Perth. We also used it to build the verification checklist for foreign buyers. |
| K&L Gates Legal Analysis | Major international law firm providing analysis of 2025 policy changes. | We used it to confirm the established dwelling ban details. We also used it to explain nominee arrangement risks and penalties. |
| Feasly Stamp Duty Guide WA | Comprehensive 2025-26 guide to WA transfer duty rates. | We used it to compare WA surcharges with other states. We also used it to confirm the off-the-plan concession expiry date. |
| RBA Statement on Monetary Policy | Australia's central bank providing macro financial context. | We used it to give context on lending rates in late 2025. We also used it to explain why financing conditions can shift quickly. |
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