Selling property in Australia as a UK non-resident: A complete guide

Selling a property in Australia? You might be moving back to the UK or selling an underused holiday home, or perhaps it’s the right time to sell an investment property.

Whatever your plans, we’ve put together a handy guide covering everything you need to know about selling property in Australia. We’ll cover the steps for selling a property there as a Brit, along with info on estate agent fees, taxes and average timescales.

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Selling property in Australia as a non-resident - a step-by-step guide

If it’s your first time selling a property in Australia, you’ll need to get to grips with how the process works.

You’ll have some understanding of it from your experience of buying property in Australia, but it can be a little different from a seller’s perspective.

Let’s run through the main steps, so you know exactly what to expect.

1. Get your documentation together

Before you put your property on the market, it’s a good idea to get all of your paperwork together. This can help prevent delays later on.

Here’s what documents you’re likely to need:¹

• Your ID, such as a valid passport
• A vendor statement, listing the essential details of the property
• Title deeds for the property
• A zoning certificate (required in some states and circumstances)
• Energy efficiency report (required in some states)
• Drainage diagrams
• Swimming pool certificate of compliance (if applicable)
• Property exclusions (details of what is not included in the property sale)
• All details and documents relating to the mortgage.

2. Find an estate agent

The next step is to find an estate agent to market and sell the property. It isn’t mandatory to use one, but it is advisable - especially if you’re not yet living in Australia, or if you’re unfamiliar with the local property market.

An agent will carry out a property appraisal, to give you an idea of the current market price and help you set the purchase price.

They’ll also take photographs of the property, list it on property websites, write marketing copy, handle viewings, take care of paperwork and communicate with potential buyers.

In all parts of Australia, all estate agents must be licensed - so make sure you check this when choosing one.

3. Choose a sales method

In Australia, there are a few different ways you can sell property:²

• Private treaty - this is the most similar to how it normally works in the UK, where the property is listed with an asking price and buyers submit offers.
• Expression of Interest (EOI) - this is where a deadline is set for all interested buyers to submit their best offers. At the end of the closing date, the highest bid wins.
• Auction - this is similar to property auctions in the UK, where buyers compete in real time to submit the highest bid for a property.

Your real estate agent may advise you on the best sales method for the local area and property market.

4. Advertise the property

Now it’s time to put your property on the market and advertise it to potential buyers. Before photographs are taken, it’s worth taking the time to clean, declutter and dress each room - to make sure the property looks its best.

Your estate agent will play a central role in advertising the property, which may include listing in on popular Aussie property sites such as:

• Property.com.au
• Realestate.com.au
• Propertybuyer.com.au
• Allhomes.com.au
• Domain.com.au.
• Rightmove.co.uk (if you want to reach buyers from the UK).

5. Appoint a solicitor

It’s recommended to hire a solicitor or conveyancer to give you advice on your Australian property sale, and to oversee the legal and administrative aspects of the sale.

A personal recommendation is a good way to find a solicitor, but you can also search the members directory of the Australian Institute of Conveyancers (AIC).

6. Negotiate and accept an offer

Buyers can submit offers directly to you, but it could be easier if they go through your real estate agent. They can help you negotiate with buyers and agree on a final purchase price.

Of course, if you’re selling via auction or Expression of Interest, it’ll work differently.

7. Sign the contract of sale

Once the buyer’s solicitor has completed all the necessary due diligence checks, it’s time to sign and exchange contracts of sale.

It’s legally binding, and is usually accompanied by the buyer paying a security deposit of around 10% of the sale price.³ A completion date will also be set.

8. Settlement

Settlement is all the final steps needed to complete the transaction, which includes:

• Organising payment transfers, including the final balance from the buyer and any fees or taxes owing
• Settling mortgages
• Handing over the keys
• Transfer of the property title from your name to the buyer’s name.

You don’t need to be physically present for these steps to take place, as it’ll all be handled by solicitors representing both parties.

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Taxes and fees when selling property in Australia as a non-resident

So, how much will it cost you to sell property in Australia in fees and taxes? The first thing to know is that costs will vary from state to state, so you’ll need to do some research into fees and taxes in the area your property is located in.

Here’s a quick look at average fees and taxes, to give you an idea of the costs involved:

Estate agent fees

Estate agent commission fees in Australia vary between agents and by state, but you can expect to pay anywhere between 1.81% and 2.57% of the overall sale price.⁴ This is likely to be one of the biggest costs you’ll face as a seller.

Legal fees

Another significant cost to factor in is your solicitor’s fees. Again, these vary between states and individual solicitors, but the average cost across the country is $400 to $2,5000 AUD.⁴

Marketing/auction costs

You’ll also have additional costs to pay depending on which selling method you’ve chosen.

For most sales, there are marketing costs to pay (these aren’t usually included in the estate agent’s commission). These vary by state, but tend to fall between $400 and $10,000 AUD.⁴

If you’re selling by auction, you’ll have auctioneer costs of around $200 to $1,000 AUD⁴ to pay.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

In Australia, when you sell a property, you’ll need to pay capital gains tax (CGT) on the profit you make from it.

By profit, we mean the difference between what you paid for the property and what you sell it for, minus any fees and expenses.

Australia’s CGT rules apply differently to residents and non-residents. It can be complicated, but here are the main points you need to know:³

• Australian residents only need to pay CGT if selling a second home or investment property, or if they’ve used the property to make an income. CGT may also be due if you’ve ‘flipped’ a property - where you’ve bought and renovated it with the intent to sell it again right away.
• Non-residents have to pay CGT on all property sales
• The CGT rate in Australia is 15%
• You’re classed as an Australian resident for tax purposes if you live there permanently or spend at least 183 days there in the tax year.

It’s important to check whether UK rules on capital gains tax apply when you sell property abroad. There’s also double taxation to consider, so you don’t end up paying tax in two countries at once.

Tax can be extraordinarily complex, so it’s best to get advice from a tax specialist to help you understand your obligations.

Stamp duty

Another major cost involved in Australian property sales is stamp duty, which varies by state but is usually between 3% and 5%.⁵

Unlike in some countries, this tax is paid by the buyer - but it’s still useful as a seller to know the rates and thresholds as it will help you when pricing your property. It’s also handy to know if you’re looking to buy another property yourself.

Does owning property in Australia make you a tax resident?

For anyone considering moving to Australia (or staying there if you’re a temporary resident), it’s useful to know about tax residency and how it relates to property ownership.

Owning a property doesn’t automatically make you a tax resident in Australia. But how much time you spend living in the property does.

Australia has something called the 183-day test to determine tax residency status. You’re considered a tax resident for the year if you spend 183 days or more in Australia within that year.

You’ll also be considered a tax resident if you pass the ‘domicile test’, which is when the property you own in Australia is your main residence.

Do you need a lawyer or a solicitor to sell property?

It’s strongly recommended to appoint a solicitor specialising in real estate or conveyancing work in Australia. They can help you get all your legal documents together ready for the sale, draw up, translate and check over contracts, give you advice about the selling process and so much more.

This could make your property sale go more smoothly and crucially, help you avoid a costly mistake.

It’s important to note that a solicitor is different to a notary public, whose role is to handle and certify documents, and see that legal aspects of the sale are carried out correctly, rather than give legal advice.

Can you use Power of Attorney (POA) to sell your property in Australia?

Yes, you can use a Power of Attorney (POA) to sell an Australian property while living abroad, but you’ll need to complete the correct legal documentation and processes.

This involves drawing up and signing a legally binding document that authorises a lawyer or other designated party to act on your behalf in all matters related to selling your property. This document will be registered at the Land Titles Office in the relevant state in Australia.

POA can be useful if you’re living overseas and don’t want to travel to Australia a lot to manage a property sale.

Selling inherited property in Australia

A common situation for foreign citizens and UK expats living abroad is needing to sell Australian property they’ve inherited.

This is certainly possible, but it’s not without its challenges. Here are the key things you need to know:

• Probate needs to be complete before you can sell the property
• Australia doesn’t have inheritance tax, but you may need to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) as a non-resident when you sell the property.
• You can appoint an Australian Power of Attorney (POA) to act on your behalf.

It’s recommended to use the services of a solicitor and/or a tax specialist to help you navigate the legal processes involved in inheriting and then selling property in Australia.

How long does it take to sell property in Australia?

Selling property in Australia generally takes between 1 and 3 months,⁶ although extra time may be spent preparing the house for sale, marketing it to potential buyers and carrying out viewings.

However, the time it takes to sell a property can vary based on a few factors, some of which may be beyond your control.

Common bottlenecks which delay Australian property sales include:

• The house chain breaks down - if your sale is dependent on other people buying and selling property and one of those transactions fails, this can cause a major delay
• The buyers mortgage application being rejected
• The survey report flagging up problems, and the price needs to be renegotiated.

It may also depend on how fast properties are selling in the local market.

Do you need an Australian bank account to sell property in Australia?

It isn’t mandatory to have an Australian bank account in order to sell property in the country, but it can make things much easier. Having an account in Australian dollars (AUD) can simplify payments and reduce costs.

If you don’t already have one, it could be an idea to start taking a look at Australian banks and see what accounts are on offer for non-residents.

If you have an international account or offshore account, you’ll need to speak to your solicitor to find out whether it can be used to send or receive money relating to the sale.

Another thing to note is that international transfers could get expensive, especially if the provider adds a margin to the exchange rate to convert AUD to British pounds (GBP), or vice versa.

Consider checking out the Wise account to handle your international transfers with mid-market exchange rates and transparent fees.

Is now a good time to sell your property in Australia?

Your circumstances will have a lot to do with whether or not it’s the right time to sell your property in Australia. For example, how much you originally paid for the property and what prices are currently like in the local property market.

But looking at the country’s property market in general, now - or sometime this year - could be a good time to sell.

Driven by continued buyer demand and long-standing supply constraints, property prices in Australia rose by 8.6% in 2025 and are expected to rise a further 5% in 2026.⁷

So you could look at selling now, or wait a few more months to see if prices increase as predicted.

Key takeaways

• Non-residents are always liable for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on Australian property sales, currently at a rate of 15% on the profit made, whereas residents may be exempt for their primary home.
• Sellers should budget for significant costs, including estate agent commissions (1.81% to 2.57%), marketing expenses ($400 to $10,000 AUD), and legal fees ($400 to $2,500 AUD).
• Unique to the Australian market are three distinct sales methods: Private Treaty (standard offers), Expression of Interest (blind bids by a deadline), and Public Auction.
• The typical timeline for a sale is relatively efficient, generally taking between 1 and 3 months, though "house chain" breaks and survey issues remain common bottlenecks.
• While not mandatory, having an Australian bank account is strongly recommended to simplify the settlement process and avoid high currency conversion markups when moving proceeds to the UK.

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Sources used:

1. SalebyHomeOwner.com.au - What Paperwork is Needed to Sell a House by Owner in Australia?
2. LJ Hooker - How to Sell a House: Methods, Steps & Expert Guidance | LJ Hooker
3. Expatica - Selling property in Australia
4. OpenAgent - What is the cost of selling a house in 2026?
5. Money.com.au - Stamp Duty Calculator
6. HKY Real Estate - From Listing to Settlement: How Long Does It Take to Sell a House in Australia?
7. The Guardian - Australian house prices expected to rise at least 5% in 2026 after jump last year

Sources last checked on date: 20-Mar-2026