AU Australia property dictionary
Australian propertyterms,with a Perth & WA focus.
Plain-English definitions for Australian listings, finance and market data, plus the detailed rules used when buying, owning and investing in Western Australia.
Search 250 Australia and WA property terms.
Property law differs across Australia
Property laws, taxes, contracts, disclosure requirements and settlement practices can differ between states and territories. This dictionary focuses on Western Australia. Terms marked Australia-wide cover federal concepts; for property outside WA, check the rules for that state or territory.
Current federal restriction
Foreign buyers and established dwellings
From 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2029, foreign investors are generally prohibited from purchasing established dwellings. Limited exceptions apply. This is a temporary federal restriction, not simply an approval step. Read the FIRB entry.
Property guides
Popular property guides
Deeper explanations for the questions property buyers search most often.
What Is Landgate? A Guide for WA Property Buyers
Understand Western Australia’s land information authority and where it fits in title searches, settlement and property research.
Read guideStamp Duty in WA: How Transfer Duty Works
A plain-English overview of WA transfer duty, when it applies and why buyers should budget before signing.
Read guideWhat Does “Under Offer” Mean in Perth?
Learn what the listing status means, which conditions may remain and whether another buyer can still express interest.
Read guideStart here
Popular Australian and WA property terms
Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA)
Western Australia
Western Australia's peak real estate industry body and the operator of reiwa.com, a major source of WA listings, suburb data and market reports.
Landgate
Western Australia
Western Australia's land information authority and land titles registry.
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
Western Australia
A one-off WA payment of up to $10,000 for eligible first-home buyers who buy or build a new home or a substantially renovated home.
Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB)
Australia-wide
The federal body that advises the Australian Government on foreign investment proposals, including residential property purchases.
Under Offer
Western Australia
A listing status used when the seller has accepted an offer but one or more contract conditions still need to be satisfied.
Offer and Acceptance (O&A)
Western Australia
The standard WA form used to make a written property offer that becomes a contract when accepted and communicated.
Strata Title
Western Australia
A title for an individually owned lot in a strata scheme, with shared ownership of common property.
Residential Design Codes (R-Codes)
Western Australia
The statewide planning and design rules used for residential development in Western Australia.
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