Aobo Realty - Brisbane & Gold Coast Australian Property

Aobo Realty Pty Ltd is an Australian government-registered real estate investment services company, headquartered in Brisbane. Our clients come from many countries and regions, including mainland China, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia, Europe and North America. With our professional expertise and quality service, Aobo Realty has won praise from clients, developers and government over many years, earning numerous accolades.

Why Clients Choose Aobo Realty

A local company

As an Australian government-registered company, our team members have lived in Australia for many years and have an in-depth understanding of Australian property, education, law, finance and culture. For projects we particularly recommend, we also film on-site inspection footage.

A wider range of properties

Our projects include school-catchment homes, apartments, townhouses, houses, luxury homes and land, all available for purchase by Chinese buyers worldwide. You can also contact us directly to tell us your requirements.

More professional service

Aobo Realty's professional, reliable service has earned wide recognition from the industry and clients alike. Follow-up service after signing is very important, and in our property knowledge section we have also produced a large number of short videos explaining Australian property matters.

More comprehensive service

We provide a complete range of services, from understanding your needs, recommending projects, on-site inspections, contract signing, loan arrangements and professional building inspections through to title settlement.

Frequently Asked Questions for Overseas Buyers Purchasing Property in Australia

1. Can overseas buyers purchase property in Australia?

Yes, provided the following conditions are met: you may buy a brand-new dwelling, off-the-plan property (a floor plan yet to be built) or vacant land to build on, but you must obtain approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) before signing the purchase contract. If the developer already holds a New Dwelling / Near-New Dwelling Exemption Certificate, the buyer does not need to apply separately — simply confirm this with the developer. The application is usually handled by a solicitor, and the statutory review period after payment is generally within 30 days.

For the official rules, see the Australian Taxation Office's "Types of property a foreign person can buy"; for the application fees and the 30-day review period, see the Australian Treasury's foreign investment fees guidance.

From 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2029, foreign persons are temporarily banned from buying established (second-hand) dwellings (with very few exceptions); this applies even to holders of an Australian temporary visa buying for their own residence. Should the policy change in future, Aobo Realty will keep you updated with the latest information as soon as possible. (Information verified in July 2026; for general reference only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.)

For the official explanation of the established-dwelling ban, see the Australian Taxation Office's information on banning foreign purchases of established dwellings.

2. How much does buying a property cost?

Signing the contract: with a 70% loan, the deposit is 30%. For off-the-plan property (apartments and townhouses), you generally pay 10%–20% when signing the contract, and pay the balance of the purchase price (other than the loan) at settlement. For a house and land package, there are two contracts — one for the land and one for the house. With a 70% loan, at signing you first pay 10% on the land and 5% on the house; at land settlement you pay the balance (after deducting the loan and the deposit already paid) to complete the land settlement, then move into the construction phase, paying the corresponding amounts in line with the building progress. All construction payments are covered by the loan.

Other costs of buying a property include: the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) application fee, stamp duty, title transfer fees, loan application fees and solicitor's fees. Stamp duty varies depending on the state and the price of the property.

3. Where is the deposit paid, and are the funds safe?

When buying a new or off-the-plan property in Australia, the buyer must, in accordance with the purchase contract, pay the deposit into the trust account specified in the contract. For all developer projects we sell as agents, the purchase contract clearly stipulates that the deposit is paid directly into the Developer's Solicitor Trust Account. The developer has no right to use these funds until settlement is completed. Solicitor trust accounts are regulated under Australian law and are subject to regular audits.

If the contract is lawfully terminated due to the developer, the deposit paid by the buyer is generally refunded in full as provided in the contract, so you will not lose your deposit if the developer is unable to complete settlement.

If the buyer has signed an Unconditional Contract but fails to complete settlement as required, the developer is entitled to forfeit the deposit in accordance with the contract and may lawfully pursue the buyer for breach of contract.

At settlement, the buyer usually pays the remaining purchase price into the trust account of their solicitor or conveyancer, who is responsible for completing the settlement of funds and the transfer of title.

4. Can I get a loan when buying property in Australia?

Yes. Depending on your income, you can borrow up to 80%. Aobo Realty can provide loan services — please contact us regarding loan requirements, document preparation, the process and fees.

5. Will my legal rights be protected after an overseas buyer purchases property in Australia?

Yes. Under Australian law you hold freehold title to the property, and your property rights are protected by law; however, foreign persons are additionally subject to FIRB rules (the types of property that can be bought, resale restrictions before completion, annual vacancy fee reporting, and so on).

6. What documents do I need for a loan in Australia?

A. Proof of overseas income

B. Copies of your passport and identity document

C. Proof of financial capacity to pay the amount over and above the deposit and the bank loan

7. I don't understand English and can't read legal documents — how can I know whether my legal rights are protected?

Under Australian law, every property purchase must engage a local solicitor. Your solicitor is completely independent and acts entirely on your behalf. If required, Aobo Realty can recommend a professional, Chinese-speaking solicitor. The solicitor's responsibilities include: 1) explaining the legal terms so you understand your rights and obligations, and guiding you through signing; 2) reconciling the settlement funds, completing the payment of funds and the smooth transfer of title.

8. After buying a property in Australia, how do I rent it out and manage it?

Engage a locally licensed leasing agent. Rental management in Australia is highly professional and well developed, with comprehensive services including finding tenants, property maintenance, regular inspections, rent collection, paying bills and end-of-lease inspections. The leasing company provides the landlord with regular statements, and at the end of each financial year provides a rental income-and-expenditure statement for tax reporting. Agents generally charge 7%–9% of the total rent as a management fee.

9. If any dispute arises during the tenancy, how will it be handled?

Generally the leasing agent handles it in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations. If you are still not satisfied, you can engage a solicitor to lodge a complaint with Fair Trading.

For the Queensland Fair Trading complaint channels, see the Queensland Government website.

10. If I want to sell the property in future, how do I go about it?

You can engage any licensed Queensland real estate agent to sell your property. You do not need to come to Australia in person, and the title transfer is handled entirely by a solicitor.

You can check whether an agent is licensed via the Queensland Government licence check.