Can New Zealanders Buy Property In Australia [2026 Guide]

Can New Zealand citizens buy property in Australia? Absolutely! Whether you’re living in Australia or still based in New Zealand, you can invest in a home or even an investment property across the Tasman. But the process isn’t always straightforward—tax rules, stamp duty surcharges, and lending criteria can differ based on your location and visa type. 

In this complete guide, written by an expert mortgage broker, we’ll walk you through everything from borrowing capacity to government grants, popular locations for Kiwis, and how to avoid costly surprises.

Note: We can only assist if you are a New Zealand citizen who is LIVING and WORKING in Australia. If you are LIVING and WORKING in New Zealand, we cannot assist with finance due to restrictions with our credit license.

But we have included details below on lenders that can assist if this is your situation.

If you are a New Zealand citizen, you can buy townhouses, detached houses, units, vacant land and even commercial properties in Australia. However, the property must be in Australia. We are not able to help you buy a house in New Zealand from Australia.

How much you are eligible to borrow depends on your personal situation and each individual lender’s policies. However, as a general rule, you can borrow:

Liam, a New Zealand citizen living and working in Brisbane, wanted to buy his first home close to family and work.

He found a $750,000 house in a great location. Thanks to his Special Category Visa (SCV Subclass 444), he was treated as a permanent resident and didn’t need FIRB approval.

With the help of a mortgage broker, Liam secured a home loan with just a 5% deposit ($37,500).  Even better, he was eligible for the boosted $30,000 Queensland First Home Owner Grant (available for contracts on new homes signed before 30 June 2025), which dramatically reduced his out-of-pocket costs.

His total upfront cash needed dropped to just $7,500 after the grant, and he avoided foreign buyer fees completely.

Outcome: Liam successfully purchased his first home with a minimal deposit, thanks to the combination of the government grant and a low-deposit home loan.

If you are not an Australian citizen but are living in Australia, your interest rates may vary depending on each lender’s policies, as some lenders charge higher rates for foreigners.  If you are living outside of Australia, you have a higher chance of paying higher interest rates. This is why it is important to work with a mortgage broker who can determine which lender suits your loan needs best and can provide you with the best interest rates. For example, we can get you the same interest rates even if you are lending up to 95% of the property value. Also, if you’re applying with a low deposit,  there may be a suitable solution for you.

Yes, holders of the Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) do qualify for home loans in Australia. This visa grants New Zealand citizens the right to live and work indefinitely in Australia, and lenders generally treat SCV holders similarly to Australian permanent residents when assessing loan applications.

Here are key points to know:

Working with a mortgage broker can help SCV holders navigate lender policies and find the best loan option.

If you’re a New Zealand citizen living in New Zealand and want to buy property in Australia, here’s what you need to know:

Yes, you can. New Zealand citizens are allowed to buy property in Australia—even if they are not currently living there. However, your situation will be treated differently compared to someone already residing in Australia.

Yes, but with limitations:

If you live in Singapore, Hong Kong, the UK, or the UAE, the process can be a little harder as these countries are not seen as having any ties to Australia. Some lenders will still allow you to borrow, but it is really on a case-by-case basis. 

Probably not if you’re still living in New Zealand:

Most First Home Owner Grants (FHOG) and Home Guarantee Scheme programs require you to be living in Australia and to move into the property as your primary residence.

You’ll typically only qualify once you’ve moved and become an Australian resident under a Special Category Visa (subclass 444).

HSBC Bank Australia – A subsidiary of an international banking group with operations in both Australia and New Zealand. Their global presence makes them potentially suitable for clients seeking cross‑border lending or deposit transfer options.

Major Trans‑Tasman Banks (ANZ, Westpac, CBA/ASB) – These banks have a presence in both NZ and Australia. Some borrowers report limited availability of lending to NZ-based clients without an Australian income history.

Here’s what lenders usually require if you’re applying from New Zealand:

Summary Table

As mentioned above, due to limitations with our credit license, we cannot assist with finance if you are living and working in NZ. Some banks, like ANZ and Westpac, based in Australia, can consider your situation on a case-by-case basis, but you will need to discuss it with them directly. 

Read More: Calculate how much stamp duty you will need to pay.

Sophie, a New Zealander living in Auckland, wanted to invest in Queensland property.

She found a neat $500,000 townhouse on the Gold Coast. But as a non-resident living outside Australia, she didn’t qualify for resident benefits.

To proceed, she had to apply for FIRB approval and pay Foreign Acquirer Duty (FAD)—a 7% surcharge on the purchase price.

That meant an additional $35,000 in upfront costs, on top of stamp duty and legal fees.

Outcome: While Sophie secured the property, her non-resident status significantly increased the cost of buying.

If you are a New Zealand citizen looking to buy a standard residential property, you do not need the approval of the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). Your home-buying process is exactly the same as that of an Australian citizen buying a property in Australia.  However, if you are looking to buy commercial property, you may need to get FIRB approval.

Speak to our team of experts about this for more information.

Here’s a comprehensive look at why so many Kiwis are investing in Australian property right now:

The good news is yes! As a New Zealand citizen buying in Australia, you are eligible to use your loan for any kind of residential housing, whether you want to live in it or buy it as an investment property. Commercial loans depend on the circumstances, so it’s best to seek advice from a mortgage broker (us!) about your personal situation.

Buying property in Australia as a NZ citizen? These regions are top picks for lifestyle and long-term value.

With relaxed visa requirements and strong ties between New Zealand and Australia, more Kiwis are moving across the ditch to buy property.

Warm weather, affordable homes, and strong infrastructure make Brisbane a favourite. Plus, the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant still applies.

Property prices here are still lower than in Sydney or Melbourne. Suburbs like Logan and Redbank Plains offer great value for first-home buyers

These lifestyle hubs are ideal for families and remote workers. Rental yields are strong and growth is consistent. You’ll enjoy beachside living with easy access to Brisbane. Many new estates here also qualify for government grants.

Great for education, careers, and investment. It’s more expensive than QLD but still accessible, especially in the outer suburbs. Places like Craigieburn or Tarneit offer better affordability. Melbourne’s strong population growth supports long-term property value.

If you’re priced out of the cities, regional areas offer cheaper homes and may still qualify for grants and schemes. Regional VIC buyers may receive up to $20,000 FHOG. Plus, remote work has made regional living more viable than ever.

Read more: Property market research in Australia

If you are on a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) visa, you will be exempt from having to pay stamp duty surcharge, which is normally required for New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC), Queensland (QLD), Western Australia (WA), South Australia (SA), the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Tasmania (TAS).

However, you’ll need to be aware that in New South Wales, you’ll need to be in the country for at least 200 days to avoid this fee. You’re also required to be in the country at the time of settlement and contract signing to be eligible to avoid the stamp duty charge. The only state that you can remain outside of Australia at the time of settlement is the Northern Territory.

If you live in New Zealand, you may be subject to Non-Residence Withholding Tax. The tax, in summary, is as follows…. If you were given a normal interest rate of 4.00 %,  you’d effectively be paying 4.40% due to the tax. So, in certain circumstances, it’s best to make a purchase with a small deposit and refinance to find a lender that meets your criteria to avoid paying the additional tax.

Non-Resident Withholding Tax is a complex situation that we recommend you speak with your accountant about. You’ll need to ensure you meet the lending criteria; otherwise, you may be forced to pay the tax.

Yes, New Zealand citizens can qualify for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in Australia, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria. This grant is available to both Australian citizens and permanent residents, including New Zealand citizens who hold a Special Category Visa (SCV Subclass 444) and are living in Australia.

To be eligible for the FHOG, applicants must:

Each state offers different grant amounts and conditions, so it’s important to understand what’s available where you plan to buy.

Note: The grant amount is separate from other schemes like the Home Guarantee Scheme.

Applicants must move into the property within 12 months from settlement and live there for at least 12 continuous months.

At least one applicant must occupy the home as their principal place of residence for at least 12 months, commencing within 12 months of settlement or completion of construction.

Applicants must meet other eligibility criteria, including residency requirements.

When applying for the FHOG, New Zealand citizens will need to provide:

New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) are eligible to apply for the First Home Guarantee (and similar schemes like the Family Home Guarantee or Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee), provided they meet all standard criteria. These include never having owned property in Australia, income caps, and being an Australian permanent resident for tax purposes.

Read more: First Home Guarantee Scheme

If you are a New Zealand citizen living in Australia, you may be able to use both your KiwiSaver savings and the Australian First Home Super Saver (FHSS) scheme to boost your first home deposit.

The FHSS scheme allows eligible first-home buyers to make voluntary contributions into their Australian super fund and later withdraw those savings (plus earnings, minus tax) to put toward a home deposit. This gives you a tax-effective way to accelerate your savings compared to a regular bank account.

As a New Zealand citizen with a special category visa (SCV), you are considered a resident for tax purposes. This means you can access the FHSS scheme provided you:

If you have KiwiSaver savings in New Zealand, you can transfer them into an Australian complying super fund under the Trans-Tasman Retirement Savings Portability arrangement. Once transferred, those funds are preserved until you meet a condition of release (such as retirement). Importantly, KiwiSaver funds transferred into Australia cannot be withdrawn early under the FHSS scheme. Only voluntary contributions made directly into your Australian super fund count toward FHSS eligibility.

You can contribute up to $15,000 per year and a total of $50,000 across all years toward the FHSS scheme. When it’s time to buy, you can apply to withdraw these contributions, along with associated earnings, to use as part of your home deposit.

It’s essential to apply for an FHSS determination with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) before signing a contract of sale. If you sign a property contract first, you may not be able to access your FHSS savings.

For full details, visit the ATO’s official FHSS scheme page

Yes, you can use equity from your New Zealand property to help buy a property in Australia — but there are some important details to understand.

If you own a property in New Zealand and it has gained value over time, the difference between the current value and what you still owe is called equity. You may be able to tap into this equity through a cash-out refinance or line of credit with your NZ lender.

You can then use those released funds as part or all of your deposit for an Australian property.

Work with both a New Zealand lender to access your equity and an Australian mortgage broker to ensure the funds are accepted as a valid deposit.

Yes! Normally, foreign citizens are only eligible to purchase new properties in order to comply with Australian legislation. But if you are a New Zealand citizen, you can buy as though you are an Australian citizen — meaning you can buy new or existing properties.

As always, it depends on the bank you’re working with, so it’s important to get a good mortgage broker (like us) to help sort out your situation. Certain banks actually favour New Zealand citizens due to the joint agreements for legal, trade and residency purposes in their country. New Zealand also uses VedaScore, which Australia also uses as its chosen credit reporting system, so the whole process is a lot easier. You don’t need to be an Australian citizen to apply for a home loan in Australia.

Buying a home in Australia can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re moving from overseas. But for New Zealanders, the process is often simpler than expected.

Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Check your visa status: If you live in Australia on a Special Category Visa (SCV Subclass 444), you’re treated like a permanent resident.

Step 2: Speak with a mortgage broker: A good mortgage broker will guide you through your options and help you get pre-approved faster.

Step 3: Confirm government eligibility: Can a NZ citizen buy a house in Australia? Yes—no FIRB approval is needed if you live in Australia on an SCV.

Step 4: Start your property search: Whether you’re buying a home to live in or an investment, you can buy new or existing property.

Step 5: Organise conveyancing and legal checks: Once you find a property, a solicitor or conveyancer will help review contracts and protect your interests.

Step 6: Settle and move in: After approval and contracts are signed, settlement typically takes 30–90 days. Then, the property is all yours!

Yes! If you’re a New Zealand citizen living in Australia on a Special Category Visa (SCV Subclass 444), you can buy property without needing FIRB approval.

If you’re a New Zealand permanent resident not living in Australia, you’ll usually need FIRB approval and may have to pay foreign buyer duties.

Absolutely. Most NZ citizens living in Australia can access first home buyer grants, low-deposit loans, and standard lender products, just like Australian citizens.

Yes—if you’re buying a new home and meet eligibility criteria. In Queensland, for example, grants can be up to $30,000.

Only if they’re not living in Australia, NZ citizens residing in Australia are generally treated as local buyers for tax and lending purposes.

Yes, you can. While you can’t use the funds directly from your New Zealand account, you can transfer your entire KiwiSaver balance to a complying Australian superannuation fund. Once transferred, these funds can be accessed as a deposit for your first home through the Australian Government’s First Home Super Saver (FHSS) scheme. This allows you to withdraw voluntary contributions (including your transferred KiwiSaver funds) up to a cap of $15,000 per financial year, with a total maximum of $50,000 per person.

There’s no minimum residency period to buy property. However, eligibility for certain grants or stamp duty exemptions may require living in Australia for a set time.

Yes, New Zealand citizens on a Special Category Visa living in Australia can qualify for the First Home Owners Grant, subject to state-specific rules.

You can apply for a home loan in New Zealand regardless of where you live. But many NZ lenders will consider your Australian residency status and income.

Stamp duty is a state government tax on property purchases. Rates vary by state and may include surcharges for foreign buyers, but NZ citizens living in Australia often get exemptions.

Ready to buy a home in Australia but don’t know where to start? Our team of home loan experts at Hunter Galloway is here to help you buy a home in Australia.  Unlike other mortgage brokers who are just one-person operations, we have an entire team of experts dedicated to making your home loan journey as simple as possible. Our service does not cost you anything, as we are paid by the lender when your home loan settles.

If you want to get started, please give us a call on 1300 088 065 or book a free assessment online to see how we can help.

Note: The information on this page is general and should not be considered as advice. Before you act on this information, you must seek independent legal and financial advice.