Australia is a great place to invest in property!

Australia has traditionally been a safe place to invest in property. Population growth, rising incomes and a strong rental demand are key contributors to positive investment returns in our country.

On its own, Australian property investment cannot guarantee automatic residency under the various migration programmes, however such investment will certainly have a significant and positive impact in the assessment of visa applications.

Whilst ownership of Australian property would be a consideration for any visa application it may particularly be a distinct advantage to the following visa applicants.

Business Owners and Investors

Under the Business Skills migration programme overseas business owners and investors are encouraged to bring their knowledge, experience and capital to Australia to establish or manage an existing business, or simply invest in its resources.

Ownership of Australian property will certainly underpin your commitment to establishing a solid investment base in this country. There is no doubt that to own assets in Australia, particularly property, indicates a seriousness about settling here and is evidence that you will have no difficulty establishing yourself in Australia. This is one of the criteria for a successful application.

You will be able to:

• Establish a new or existing business in Australia
• Travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as the visa is valid
• Have your family accompany you to Australia. They will have access to work and study rights
• Establish a pathway to permanent residence.
  

Most Business Skills pathways to permanent residency require a two stage process. Initially you enter Australia on a provisional (temporary) visa for 4 years and, after satisfactory evidence of a specified level of business or investment activity, you may then apply for permanent residence.

Please note: Should you only want to visit Australia to inspect properties with a view to investing in them, or to personally inspect properties already owned and check on the management of them by people acting on your behalf here would seem to be good grounds for the grant of a temporary Business Visitor visa at least.

Self-Funded Retirees

The Business Skills programme also caters for self-funded retirees who would like spend their ‘golden years’ experiencing our very relaxed lifestyle, but returning to their home base in their ‘twilight years’. The Australian Government is keen to attract this type of resident, albeit on a temporary basis.

This visa will allow you to:

• Live in Australia for four (4) years, with possible options of further 4 year periods
• Have your partner accompany you to Australia
• Work in Australia for up to 20 hours per week
• Travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as your visa is valid

Please note: Although a strong net asset base is a mandatory consideration for assessment, Australian property ownership can be counted towards meeting this criterion.

If you begin early and build up a property portfolio in Australia, then, once you are 55 years of age and your children all left home, you can spend long periods in Australia without losing citizenship or property rights in your original country. Whether you have family and friends in Australia, or you just think it is a great place to spend a lot of time, you can have the best of both worlds: your country of citizenship and live in Australia!

Students

In most student visa applications evidence is required of the financial resources of the family from which the student comes before a visa will be granted. The ownership of property in Australia would again strengthen your application, particularly if it is property in which you can be accommodated or if the income from it could be used to support you while studying here.

Recent changes in legislation have allowed students (who are on a student visa for a minimum 12 months) to purchase property without a limit on its value, thereby allowing you to invest in the more desirable growth areas.

Parents who also invest in properties are demonstrating a commitment to support their children in a safe environment.

Student Guardians

Included in the Student visa programme, is the provision for a parent, or close relative, to accompany their child student (under 18 years) to Australia under the popular Student Guardian visa.

This temporary visa will allow you to:

• Live in Australia for the same length of time as the student for whom you are guardian, or until the student turns 18 years of age
• Bring dependent children with you to Australia, but only if they are under six years of age and meet specific eligibility requirements
• Study in Australia for up to three months

Following completion of high school, your child could pursue a university or trade education and eventually gaining permanent residency. They may then be in a position to sponsor your own permanent migration to Australia!

As the Australian Government will be most concerned about where the child and guardian will live, the purchase of property will have a very significant bearing in the assessment of visa applications.

Skilled Workers

Australian property ownership is generally not a requirement for this migration programme, however such an investment can only strengthen your application.

This is just a snapshot of the Australian immigration system where Australian property investment may be of significant consideration.

To find out more about these visas and other options please contact us  
 

P.S. The initial assessment by our migration agent is free!