According to data from the Australian Taxation Office’s Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets, which tracks homes purchased between 2016 and 2024 that remain under international ownership, Victoria is the leading location with 16,929 properties – more than 40 per cent of the national total.
New South Wales follows with 8,862 properties, Queensland with 8,129, and South Australia with 2,129.
Mainland Chinese investors represent over 23,500 of the total foreign-owned properties, increasing to more than 27,000 when combined with Hong Kong.
This far exceeds other countries on the list, with Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam rounding out the top five.
The data shows most foreign-owned properties are new builds, with 23,147 registered, compared to 8,463 established properties.
This aligns with current regulations that include a temporary ban on international buyers purchasing established homes, with exceptions for permanent residents and New Zealand citizens.
The register indicates that international buyers have generally favoured more affordable properties, with 31,888 of their purchases valued under $1 million, compared to 8,289 valued at seven figures or higher.
Despite having the most punitive foreign investor tax regimes in the country, with 8 per cent stamp duty surcharges during the data collection period, Victoria and NSW remain the most prominent investment hotspots for international buyers.
PropTrack senior economist Eleanor Creagh said Chinese government controls over capital movement would likely be one of the biggest influences on international investment in the coming year.
She said that China’s strong presence in the register reflects its connections to Australian education and business sectors.
“Australia is also viewed as a safe haven, in some respects,” Ms Creagh said.
“It’s a country that’s got transparent legal systems, and strong property rights, and has a perception of being far removed from geopolitical adversities.”
