Just read this on another post:

if you want to buy a property you need approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board. This has to be for a main residence only or land on which you will build within 12 months. If you leave the country (for good), you have to sell it again.

I wasn't aware of this :doh: can anybody enlighten me on it ? :( :D

I THINK IT IS ONLY IF YOU ARE NOT RESIDENT YOU HAVE TO HAVE PERMISSION, OR IF YOU ARENT ON A PERMANENT BASIS.

ALI

Visit http://www.firb.gov.au/content/default.asp this will hopefully help to explain.

It seems there is nothing to be alarmed about just a paperwork exercise (another one!)

Debbie

Yes I've read this too! Don't worry - plenty of people seem to have done it without much trouble. We have to do it as we're going SIR too and want to buy ASAP.

Mandyxx

:sign61:

Hi,
There is no problem at all buying a house if you are on SIR visa.
We put and offer in on a house and paid the deposit 3 days after arriving in adelaide.
The agent sorted out the FIRB paper work and Faxed it off for us.
The agent just wrote into the contract 'subject to FIRB approval'
We got approval in 5 days and the house sale was completed in 24 days alot less complicated out here
Liz :bouncy:

Thanks guys for your replies, much appreciated :D :sign61: