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AgnieszkaW(Newbie)Newbie
31 Mar 2025

Hi,

I’m a foreigner living in Australia and have been on various visas for the past eight years. Currently, I’m on a bridging visa while awaiting my Partner Visa (subclass 820), and I have no work or travel restrictions.

My husband, an Australian citizen by birth, and I are in the process of jointly purchasing an established dwelling. Due to his casual employment status, he couldn’t secure a mortgage on his own, but since I have a full-time job, the bank approved our mortgage primarily based on my income. We signed the Contract of Sale on March 24, 2025.

I have two questions:

1) Do I need to apply for Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval?

From my research, it seems that a joint purchase with an Australian citizen does not require FIRB approval, but I would appreciate confirmation.

2) I recently learned that, as of April 1, 2025, foreign residents can no longer purchase established dwellings.

Does this new law affect my purchase in any way, considering we signed the contract before the law came into effect?

Thank you in advance for your help!



5,778 views
3 replies
5,778 views
3 replies

All replies

RachelATO(Community Moderator)Community Moderator
7 Apr 2025

Hi @AgnieszkaW,


You're exempt from the need to apply for foreign investment approval, if you purchase the house with your Australian spouse as joint tenants. The recent change for established dwellings doesn't apply in this case either.


If you were to buy as tenants in common, then that exemption doesn't apply and the ban on established dwellings would also impact you.


I've linked the FIRB exemption guidance for you to have a look at.

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