Can Australians Buy Property in Indonesia: All You Need to Know

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Huge numbers of Aussies visit Indonesia each year, particularly to Bali and up and coming spots like Lombok. If you’re a fan of the lifestyle in Indonesia - whether that’s in buzzy Jakarta or a laid back Bali beach - you might be wondering: can Australians buy property in Indonesia?

The good news is that foreigners can buy property in Indonesia with a few important restrictions and rules. This guide walks through how to buy property in Indonesia as a foreigner so you can decide if it’s the right route for you. We'll also share how Wise can help you move your funds to Indonesia with the mid-market rate if you need to finance your purchase from abroad. Plus, you’ll get dedicated support and volume discounts when sending large amounts.

Can Australians Buy Property in Indonesia?

Yes. Australians can buy certain properties in Indonesia but there are restrictions and rules to be aware of.

Generally you can only buy property in Indonesia as a foreigner under the Hak Pakai (Right to Use) structure - similar to a leasehold¹. This means you don’t own the land, but rather take a lease on the property, commonly for up to 30 years on an extendable basis.

Can You Buy Real Estate and Get Residency?

No. Indonesia has a Special Residency visa² which may allow foreign home owners to enter and remain in the country for up to 10 years in total. To qualify for this visa on a real estate investment route you must commit to buying an apartment or condominium unit in Indonesia with a value of 1 million USD or more.

If you're interested in this visa type - or another similar option - there are many agents who can support your application and help you pull together the legal paperwork needed to make your dream of living in Indonesia a reality.

What’s the Real Estate Market Like in Indonesia?

The residential real estate market in Indonesia is described by market watchers as ‘subdued’ in 2026. Prices are fairly steady in many areas, with demand higher in large city centers and popular vacation spots like Bali.

Investors looking for properties in Bali are diversifying into office and commercial premises, which have seen stronger growth - but residential property might still be a good choice if you’re looking for a property for personal use or as a long term investment. Get advice from a professional to decide if buying a place in Indonesia as an Aussie is the right route for your unique needs.

How Much Are Property Prices in Indonesia?

Property prices in Indonesia are hugely varied, depending on the location, size and style of the home.

The most expensive properties are typically in cities like Jakarta and Surabaya, with Bali properties also attracting a premium thanks to its popularity with tourists and foreign residents. Real estate agents in Indonesia suggest that the costs of a small suburban home in a town or city may be as little as 150 million IDR (about 12,000 AUD) - but buying a premium beachfront property in Bali may set you back more like 10 billion IDR (800,000 AUD or more).

Cheaper homes can be found in smaller cities like Bandung and Batam, or if you look into areas of Bali which are less developed, and away from the popular coastlines.

Because the real estate market in Indonesia is so varied, you’ll need the support of a talented agent familiar with the location you want to buy in, to help you manage your search.

How to Search for a Property in Indonesia

It’s a smart idea to start your search for real estate in Indonesia online. Using a website lets you filter and search properties, before connecting with individual agents who can help guide your search and support the purchase process once the time comes.

Here are some good websites which feature properties in Indonesia more broadly - and a couple which focus on Bali in particular, as a particular aussie favourite.

• Dot Property
• Indonesia Real Estate
• Propertia
• Bali Real Estate
• Bali Realty

How to Buy Property in Indonesia as an Aussie (Step-by-Step)

Once you’ve understood the rules about how to buy a property in Indonesia as a foreigner, it’s time to get started. The Indonesian property market is huge and may be unfamiliar. Foreigners have fallen victim to scams and fraud, which means that you’ll need trusted local advisors on hand to support your purchase every step of the way.

Here’s an outline of how the process will look:

Step 1: Find an Agent, Notary (PPAT) and Lawyer

Before you get started it’s helpful to line up your local support team. This usually means finding an agent who is familiar with supporting foreign buyers in the location you’re targeting, as well as a notary, known as a PPAT (Pejabat Pembuat Akta Tanah) in Indonesia.

The notary is a neutral party and supports the legal transfer of the property - you are also likely to benefit from having a lawyer who can act on your behalf to commission surveys and inspections before you buy.

Step 2: Make an Offer and Negotiate the Final Sale Price

Once you’ve viewed properties and found one you like, you can make an offer to buy. Your agent will support this step, advising you on the right process and amount to offer. Expect to negotiate.

Step 3: Commission Property Inspections

Your legal team can now take over to complete due diligence. They’ll need to check for zoning restrictions and ensure the sale can legally proceed. You may also want to get more detailed property inspections, especially for older properties.

At this stage it’s also important to make sure you have your Indonesian Tax Identification Number (Nomor Pokok Wajib Pajak or NPWP), as you’ll need this later to complete the purchase.

Step 4: Sign the Preliminary Agreement and Pay a Deposit

Your lawyer and the notary can help you to draft a sale and purchase agreement (Perjanjian Pengikatan Jual Beli) which you’ll need to sign once you have confirmed the property is the right one for you.

At this stage you’ll also pay a deposit, which may be 5% - 10% depending on the negotiations and the seller’s requirements.

Step 5: Complete the Sale and Pay the Remaining Amount Plus Purchase Taxes

Taxes on your purchase may need to be settled prior to closing the deal - and then on your agreed settlement day you can pay the remaining amount owed to the seller, and get your keys.

Step 6: Register the Sale With the Local Authorities

The final step is completed by your legal advisors - registering the property in your name with the local authorities in Indonesia.

Fees and Costs of Buying a Property in Indonesia

The costs of buying a home in Indonesia include more than just the property price. There are also some unavoidable fees and taxes which you’ll need to cover.

The key costs to consider are set out below - but if you’re using an agent to support with an extensive home search, advice or other services, you can also expect there to be some additional fees to pay.

*Correct at time of research - 14th May 2026

There are also other costs involved in the process of a real estate purchase, such as agent fees - but in many cases these will be paid by the seller rather than the buyer. Make sure you’ve talked through the full range of costs and fees with your own agent and legal team to avoid any unexpected surprises as the process moves forwards.

How to Get a Mortgage in Indonesia as an Aussie

If you're an Indonesian resident you may find you can get a home loan from a global bank such as HSBC⁴.

HSBC as an example offers loans from 300 million INR, and terms from 3 to 15 years for resident home buyers. You’ll need to provide documents including ID and your NPWP - the Indonesian tax ID number. You’ll also have to show your loan is affordable using evidence of bank statements and employment income.

Non-residents may find their options are pretty limited, but working with a local mortgage broker who has experience of supporting foreign buyers in Indonesia can be a good route to find a mortgage that works for you.

Tips for Your Property Purchase in Indonesia

• It’s essential to have a skilled local team of advisors who are familiar with helping foreign property buyers, to support your purchase
• Foreigners can not usually buy freehold properties in Indonesia, and using a local nominee to get around this rule is not advisable as it means you have no legal rights on the property
• Ensure your legal team have completed full due diligence on the property you’re buying, including checking zoning and ownership, to avoid issues down the line
• Consider using Wise to send and convert funds when paying your deposit, fees and mortgage - you’ll get the mid-market rate with low, transparent costs

Use the calculator below to estimate how much your money could be worth in GBP before making an international property payment.

Save on Fees With Wise When Buying Property in Indonesia

If you’re buying property in Indonesia, you may need to send money internationally from Australia for your deposit, stamp duties, legal fees or final property payment. Wise is an easy way to save up to 5x when sending money overseas. You can make extra secure transfers to 140+ countries, which are easy to set up with no physical paperwork and completed usually in seconds.

With low, transparent pricing and the mid-market exchange rate for all your currency conversions for your foreign transfers, you'll usually get the best value for your money. Wise lets you see exactly what you're paying for a transfer, and what the recipient will get, with no hidden fees.

For managing foreign currencies even easier, create a free Wise account, and you'll be able to manage and convert your money in AUD and 40+ other currencies. Plus, you'll get local account details in 8+ currencies, including GBP, USD, and more making it easy to receive money from abroad whenever you need. You'll be able to track your transfers all in one place.

When it comes to international transfers, Wise makes things easier and cheaper.

📤 Send money with Wise

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This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Savings claim based on our rates vs. selected Australian banks and other similar providers in Jan 2026. To learn more please visit https://payout-surge.live/au/compare%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

Please see Terms of Use and product availability for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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Sources:

1. Lawzana legal website
2. Indonesia immigration - E33 special residency visa
3. Global Property Guide - Indonesia
4. HSBC Indonesia