Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Australia Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Wollongong's property market is included in our pack
When you're buying an apartment in Wollongong as a foreigner, knowing the real costs upfront is essential because there are extra taxes and restrictions that don't apply to local buyers.
This guide breaks down every price tag you'll face in 2026, from the apartment itself to closing costs, strata fees, and insurance, so you can budget with confidence.
We constantly update this blog post with the latest data and market shifts to keep you informed.
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 Wollongong.
Insights
- Foreign buyers in Wollongong face an additional 9% surcharge duty on top of regular stamp duty, which adds roughly A$66,000 to a median-priced apartment purchase.
- From April 2025 to March 2027, foreigners cannot buy established apartments in Wollongong, which means most foreign buyers are limited to new-build properties that cost 15% to 30% more.
- A typical foreign buyer purchasing a median Wollongong apartment at A$735,000 should budget around A$835,000 all-in after taxes and fees, compared to A$770,000 for local buyers.
- Wollongong unit prices grew 7.4% in the past year, outpacing house growth of 6%, making apartments the faster-appreciating property type in the city right now.
- Strata levies in Wollongong range from A$230 to A$600 per month depending on building amenities, and this ongoing cost catches many first-time buyers by surprise.
- Entry-level suburbs like Fairy Meadow offer apartments starting around A$600,000, while premium coastal areas like Thirroul push past A$1,100,000 for units.
- Foreign buyers typically need a 30% to 40% deposit in Wollongong because Australian lenders apply stricter lending criteria to non-residents.
How much do apartments really cost in Wollongong in 2026?
What's the average and median apartment price in Wollongong in 2026?
As of January 2026, the median apartment price in Wollongong sits at approximately A$725,000 (around US$485,000 or €420,000), while the average apartment price runs closer to A$790,000 (US$530,000 or €460,000) because luxury and new-build sales push the mean higher.
When looking at price per square meter, Wollongong apartments typically range from A$9,500 to A$12,500 per square meter (US$6,400 to US$8,400 or €5,500 to €7,250 per sqm), which translates to roughly A$880 to A$1,160 per square foot.
For most standard apartments in Wollongong, you should expect to pay somewhere between A$550,000 and A$900,000 (US$370,000 to US$600,000 or €320,000 to €520,000), with prices varying based on location, building age, and size.
How much is a studio apartment in Wollongong in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical studio apartment in Wollongong costs around A$480,000 (approximately US$320,000 or €280,000), though this figure can vary significantly based on location and building quality.
For entry-level to mid-range studio apartments, expect to pay between A$420,000 and A$520,000 (US$280,000 to US$350,000 or €245,000 to €300,000), while high-end or luxury studios in prime CBD or beachfront locations can reach A$550,000 to A$650,000 (US$370,000 to US$435,000 or €320,000 to €375,000).
Studio apartments in Wollongong typically measure between 30 and 45 square meters, which explains the higher price per square meter compared to larger apartments since you're paying for location and building infrastructure in a smaller package.
How much is a one-bedroom apartment in Wollongong in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical one-bedroom apartment in Wollongong costs around A$555,000 (approximately US$370,000 or €320,000), based on recent suburb-level median data.
For entry-level to mid-range one-bedroom apartments, prices typically range from A$480,000 to A$600,000 (US$320,000 to US$400,000 or €280,000 to €350,000), while high-end or luxury one-bedroom units in beachfront or CBD locations can reach A$650,000 to A$800,000 (US$435,000 to US$535,000 or €375,000 to €465,000).
One-bedroom apartments in Wollongong generally range from 45 to 60 square meters in size, giving you enough space for comfortable living while keeping purchase and maintenance costs manageable.
How much is a two-bedroom apartment in Wollongong in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical two-bedroom apartment in Wollongong costs around A$715,000 (approximately US$480,000 or €415,000), making it the most common apartment type purchased by both owner-occupiers and investors.
For entry-level to mid-range two-bedroom apartments, you can expect to pay between A$600,000 and A$750,000 (US$400,000 to US$500,000 or €350,000 to €435,000), while high-end or luxury two-bedroom units with ocean views or premium finishes can reach A$850,000 to A$1,100,000 (US$570,000 to US$740,000 or €495,000 to €640,000).
By the way, you will find much more detailed price ranges for apartments in our property pack covering the property market in Wollongong.
How much is a three-bedroom apartment in Wollongong in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical three-bedroom apartment in Wollongong costs around A$1,000,000 (approximately US$670,000 or €580,000), reflecting the premium that larger family-sized units command in this coastal market.
For entry-level to mid-range three-bedroom apartments, prices typically range from A$850,000 to A$1,100,000 (US$570,000 to US$740,000 or €495,000 to €640,000), while high-end or luxury three-bedroom units with ocean views and premium amenities can reach A$1,300,000 to A$1,800,000 (US$870,000 to US$1,200,000 or €755,000 to €1,045,000).
Three-bedroom apartments in Wollongong generally measure between 100 and 140 square meters, providing ample space for families but also commanding higher strata levies due to their larger footprint within the building.
What's the price gap between new and resale apartments in Wollongong in 2026?
As of January 2026, new-build apartments in Wollongong typically cost 15% to 30% more than comparable resale apartments, with the gap being wider for larger units and premium developments.
For new-build apartments, you can expect to pay around A$10,500 to A$14,000 per square meter (US$7,000 to US$9,400 or €6,100 to €8,100 per sqm), reflecting modern finishes, warranties, and energy efficiency standards.
For resale apartments, prices are generally lower at around A$8,500 to A$11,000 per square meter (US$5,700 to US$7,400 or €4,930 to €6,380 per sqm), though older buildings may require renovation or have higher ongoing maintenance costs.
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Can I afford to buy in Wollongong in 2026?
What's the typical total budget (all-in) to buy an apartment in Wollongong in 2026?
As of January 2026, foreign buyers purchasing a median-priced apartment in Wollongong at A$735,000 should budget around A$835,000 to A$840,000 all-in (approximately US$560,000 or €485,000), while Australian residents would need about A$770,000 (US$515,000 or €445,000) for the same property.
Beyond the purchase price, your all-in budget should include NSW stamp duty (around A$27,500 for a A$735,000 apartment), foreign buyer surcharge duty of 9% (around A$66,000 if applicable), conveyancing and legal fees, strata inspection reports, loan establishment costs, and any building inspections you want to complete before settlement.
We go deeper and try to understand what costs can be avoided or minimized (and how) in our Wollongong property pack.
You can also read our dedicated blog article to understand what you can at different budget levels in Wollongong.
What down payment is typical to buy in Wollongong in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical down payment for Australian residents buying in Wollongong is 20% of the purchase price, which translates to around A$147,000 (US$98,500 or €85,000) for a median-priced apartment at A$735,000.
Most Australian lenders require a minimum deposit of 10% to 20%, with deposits below 20% typically triggering Lender's Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which can add thousands of dollars to your upfront costs.
For foreign buyers, however, most Australian banks require a higher deposit of 30% to 40% due to stricter lending criteria for non-residents, which means budgeting A$220,000 to A$295,000 (US$147,000 to US$198,000 or €128,000 to €171,000) for deposit alone.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Australia.
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.
Which neighborhoods are cheapest or priciest in Wollongong in 2026?
How much does the price per m² for apartments vary by neighborhood in Wollongong in 2026?
As of January 2026, apartment prices per square meter in Wollongong vary significantly by neighborhood, ranging from around A$7,500 per sqm (US$5,000 or €4,350) in affordable suburbs to over A$14,000 per sqm (US$9,400 or €8,100) in premium coastal areas.
In more affordable neighborhoods like Fairy Meadow and Warrawong, you can find apartments priced at approximately A$7,500 to A$9,500 per square meter (US$5,000 to US$6,400 or €4,350 to €5,500), offering good value for buyers on tighter budgets.
In the most expensive neighborhoods like Thirroul and North Wollongong, apartment prices reach A$11,500 to A$14,000 per square meter (US$7,700 to US$9,400 or €6,670 to €8,100), reflecting the premium for beachfront access and prestige locations.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Wollongong.
What neighborhoods are best for first-time buyers on a budget in Wollongong in 2026?
As of January 2026, the top three neighborhoods for budget-conscious first-time apartment buyers in Wollongong are Fairy Meadow, Warrawong, and Corrimal, all offering reasonable access to amenities at lower price points than the CBD or beachfront areas.
In these budget-friendly neighborhoods, typical apartment prices range from A$550,000 to A$650,000 (US$370,000 to US$435,000 or €320,000 to €375,000), making them significantly more accessible than premium suburbs where prices often exceed A$800,000.
These neighborhoods offer good public transport connections, proximity to shops and schools, and relatively short commutes to Wollongong CBD, making them practical choices for buyers who want convenience without paying premium prices.
The main trade-off is that these suburbs are further from the beach and may have older apartment stock, which could mean higher strata levies due to building maintenance needs or less modern finishes.
Which neighborhoods have the fastest-rising apartment prices in Wollongong in 2026?
As of January 2026, the neighborhoods with the fastest-rising apartment prices in Wollongong include North Wollongong (up 2.7% in the past year), Thirroul (up 2.6%), and Corrimal (up 2.5%), according to recent market data.
Year-over-year price increases in these fast-appreciating neighborhoods have ranged from 2.5% to 7.8%, with house prices in suburbs like Fairy Meadow growing even faster, which often signals future unit price growth as buyers seek more affordable alternatives.
The main drivers behind rapid price growth in these areas are a combination of beach proximity, strong public transport links to Sydney, limited new apartment supply, and ongoing demand from Sydney buyers seeking lifestyle alternatives at lower price points.
You can also read our latest update about property price forecasts in Wollongong.
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What extra costs will I pay on top of the apartment price in Wollongong in 2026?
What are all the buyer closing costs when you buy an apartment in Wollongong?
For a typical apartment purchase in Wollongong at A$735,000, total buyer closing costs for an Australian resident run approximately A$31,500 to A$37,500 (US$21,000 to US$25,000 or €18,300 to €21,750), while foreign buyers face roughly A$97,500 to A$103,500 (US$65,300 to US$69,300 or €56,500 to €60,000) due to the surcharge duty.
The main categories of closing costs include NSW transfer duty (stamp duty), foreign buyer surcharge duty if applicable, conveyancing or solicitor fees, property searches and certificates, strata inspection reports, loan application and valuation fees, and building inspections.
For both local and foreign buyers, the largest closing cost is NSW stamp duty, which alone accounts for around A$27,500 on a A$735,000 apartment, calculated using the standard transfer duty brackets published by Revenue NSW.
Some closing costs are negotiable or variable between transactions, including conveyancing fees (which can range from A$1,500 to A$3,000 depending on your solicitor) and loan establishment fees, which vary by lender and can sometimes be waived during promotional periods.
On average, how much are buyer closing costs as a percentage of the purchase price for an apartment in Wollongong?
For Australian residents, buyer closing costs in Wollongong typically amount to 4% to 5% of the apartment purchase price, covering stamp duty, legal fees, inspections, and loan setup costs.
For foreign buyers, the realistic range jumps to 13% to 14% of the purchase price due to the additional 9% surcharge purchaser duty, making Wollongong apartment purchases significantly more expensive for non-residents.
We actually cover all these costs and strategies to minimize them in our pack about the real estate market in Wollongong.
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.
What are the ongoing monthly and yearly costs of an apartment in Wollongong in 2026?
What are typical HOA fees in Wollongong right now?
In Wollongong, the equivalent of HOA fees are called strata levies, and they typically range from A$700 to A$1,800 per quarter (approximately A$230 to A$600 per month, or US$155 to US$400 or €135 to €350 monthly), depending on the building's age, size, and amenities.
For basic older buildings with minimal amenities, strata levies sit at the lower end around A$700 to A$1,000 per quarter, while newer buildings with lifts, pools, gyms, or concierge services can push levies to A$1,500 to A$2,500 per quarter or even higher.
What utilities should I budget monthly in Wollongong right now?
For a typical apartment in Wollongong, total monthly utility costs generally range from A$335 to A$460 (approximately US$225 to US$310 or €195 to €265), covering electricity, water, gas if connected, and internet.
Depending on apartment size, household usage patterns, and energy efficiency, this range can vary from as low as A$280 per month for a small efficient unit to A$550 or more for larger apartments with high electricity consumption.
The typical monthly utility budget in Wollongong includes electricity (A$165 to A$230), water and sewerage (A$100 to A$130), and internet (A$70 to A$100), though many apartments don't have separate gas connections.
Electricity tends to be the most expensive utility for Wollongong apartment owners, especially if you use air conditioning regularly, with NSW Default Market Offer rates serving as a reference ceiling for typical household bills.
How much is property tax on apartments in Wollongong?
For apartment owners in Wollongong, the main recurring property-related tax is council rates, which typically range from A$1,600 to A$2,400 per year (approximately US$1,070 to US$1,610 or €930 to €1,390 annually) for most apartments.
Council rates in Wollongong are calculated based on your property's land value and the council's rate in the dollar, with the amount varying depending on whether the property is residential owner-occupied or an investment property.
The realistic range for annual council rates depends on your apartment's allocated land value within the strata scheme, with smaller units in larger buildings typically paying less and larger units or those in premium locations paying more.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Wollongong.
What's the yearly building maintenance cost in Wollongong?
For apartment owners in Wollongong, yearly building maintenance costs are typically included within your strata levies rather than paid separately, with the combined annual amount ranging from A$2,800 to A$7,200 (approximately US$1,875 to US$4,825 or €1,625 to €4,175) for most buildings.
The range of yearly maintenance costs varies significantly depending on building age and type, with newer buildings generally having lower immediate maintenance needs but higher sinking fund contributions, while older buildings may face special levies for major repairs like lift replacements or facade remediation.
Building maintenance costs in Wollongong typically cover common area cleaning, gardening, lift maintenance, building insurance arranged by the strata, and contributions to the capital works fund for future major repairs.
In Australia's strata system, building maintenance costs are bundled into your quarterly strata levies rather than billed separately, which means your levy payment covers both day-to-day administration and long-term capital works planning.
How much does home insurance cost in Wollongong?
For apartment owners in Wollongong, contents insurance typically costs between A$300 and A$720 per year (approximately US$200 to US$480 or €175 to €420 annually), since building insurance is usually arranged by the strata and paid through your levies.
The realistic range for annual contents insurance depends on coverage level and property value, with basic policies starting around A$250 per year and comprehensive policies covering higher-value contents reaching A$800 or more annually.
Contents insurance is generally optional for apartment owners in Wollongong, but it's highly recommended since the strata's building insurance only covers the structure and common areas, not your personal belongings, fixtures you've installed, or your legal liability inside the apartment.
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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 Wollongong, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue NSW - Transfer Duty | Official NSW tax authority publishing legal duty brackets. | We used the 2025 duty brackets to calculate stamp duty on typical Wollongong apartment prices. We converted those brackets into real dollar examples for the median apartment. |
| Revenue NSW - Surcharge Purchaser Duty | Official NSW page stating the foreign buyer surcharge rate. | We used the 9% surcharge rate from January 2025 to show extra costs for foreign buyers. We included it in all-in budget calculations. |
| ATO - Foreign Purchase Ban | Official Australian Taxation Office policy documentation. | We used it to explain that foreigners generally cannot buy established dwellings from April 2025 to March 2027. We tailored price discussions to reflect that foreign buyers often focus on new apartments. |
| NSW Government - Strata Levies | Official NSW consumer guidance on apartment strata fees. | We used it to explain what strata levies cover and how they're calculated. We structured ongoing cost sections so readers understand this core monthly expense. |
| Wollongong City Council - Rates | Local council explaining how rates work for the city. | We used it to explain council rates as a recurring ownership cost. We justified a realistic annual range for apartment council rates. |
| IPART - Sydney Water Prices | NSW pricing regulator publishing audited utility pricing decisions. | We used typical bill figures for 2025-26 to estimate water costs. We cross-checked these against Sydney Water's published price schedule. |
| Energy.gov.au - Default Market Offer | Federal government site summarizing regulated electricity pricing. | We used it to frame electricity as a regulated reference point for budgeting. We kept utility estimates grounded in the 2025-26 regime. |
| Colliers - Wollongong Apartment Report | Major global real estate consultancy with transparent market reporting. | We used it to understand Wollongong's CBD apartment pipeline and supply dynamics. We explained why new apartment pricing differs from resale stock. |
| Realestate.com.au - Wollongong | Australia's largest listing platform publishing suburb-level medians. | We used it for Wollongong's unit medians by bedroom count. We cross-checked figures against other indices for accuracy. |
| CBRE Australia - New Apartment Premiums | Major property consultancy publishing national apartment research. | We used their data on new-vs-old apartment price gaps. We applied these premiums to Wollongong's specific market context. |
| Cotality (CoreLogic) | Leading property data provider used by banks and government. | We used their suburb-level median values and growth statistics. We verified our price estimates against their published data. |
| Moneysmart - Contents Insurance | Australian government consumer finance guidance website. | We used it to explain what contents insurance covers for apartment owners. We established realistic premium ranges based on their guidance. |
| ACCC - Broadband Performance | National competition regulator publishing objective broadband measurements. | We used it to justify realistic internet budgeting based on actual delivered speeds. We recommended budgeting for typical plan tiers rather than cheapest options. |
| Wollongong Housing Monitor | Council-supported housing data platform using PropTrack data. | We used it for historical price growth trends by property type. We verified median prices against their published figures. |
| OpenAgent - Wollongong Investment | Property platform providing suburb-level investment analysis. | We used their suburb performance rankings to identify fastest-growing areas. We cross-checked growth figures against other sources. |
| FIRB - Foreign Purchase Changes | Official foreign investment authority summarizing government policy. | We used it to corroborate the ATO ban on established dwelling purchases. We kept the article practical by explaining what foreigners can actually buy. |
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.
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