Rent in Sydney will be your biggest shock. Not because it's expensive in absolute terms, you probably knew that, but because the competition is brutal. Vacancy rates have been below 2% for the last two years, which means a decent 2-bedroom in Parramatta gets 20 applications on the day it's listed.
Renting rather than buying is almost universal for new arrivals. Most newly arrived migrants rent for the first 1–3 years while establishing credit history, employment stability, and familiarity with neighbourhoods.
Rental prices vary significantly by city:| City | Median Weekly Rent (Unit, 2BR) | Median Weekly Rent (House, 3BR) |
| Sydney | AUD 750–950 | AUD 950–1,400 |
| Melbourne | AUD 580–780 | AUD 680–950 |
| Brisbane | AUD 580–750 | AUD 680–900 |
| Perth | AUD 600–780 | AUD 700–1,000 |
| Adelaide | AUD 480–620 | AUD 550–720 |
| Canberra | AUD 550–700 | AUD 700–900 |
| Hobart | AUD 480–620 | AUD 550–700 |
The main platforms for rental listings in Australia are:
Most Indian migrants book serviced apartments or short-stay apartments (via Airbnb, Airbnb Plus, or corporate housing platforms) for the first two to four weeks while searching for a permanent rental. Serviced apartments cost AUD 1,500–3,500 per week in major cities.
Some families stay with Indian friends or family members initially, which is common within the Indian community particularly in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.Permanent residents can purchase property in Australia. Foreign nationals on temporary visas have restrictions they must apply for approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) before purchasing established dwellings. The FIRB application fee varies by property value: for a property valued at AUD 1 million, the fee is AUD 14,100. New properties (off-the-plan or newly built) are available to temporary residents without FIRB approval in most circumstances.
The property purchase process in Australia:
