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Tourism appeal adds to Australia’s edge in drawing mainland Chinese, Hong Kong homebuyers

Moderating prices and a relaxed lifestyle are among factors reinforcing Australia’s safe-haven appeal for foreign investors, agents say

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Australia’s tourism appeal helps draw investors from mainland China and Hong Kong, according to agents. Photo: AFP
Cheryl Arcibal
Australia’s tourism appeal and property price correction are reinforcing the case for mainland Chinese and Hong Kong investors to buy homes down under, according to agents.

Education had long been a major draw for many mainland and Hong Kong buyers, but the country’s tourist attractions, relaxed lifestyle and moderating property prices in major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne were burnishing its appeal as a top investment destination, agents said.

“Who wouldn’t like to look out from their window onto a view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House?” said Kashif Ansari, co-founder and group CEO of proptech firm Juwai IQI.

“Among Western countries, Australia is one of the easiest to live in while staying in close touch with home. That’s because the time difference is just two or three hours, which is mild compared to North America or Europe.”

In 2025, more than 1 million mainland Chinese tourists visited Australia, up 17 per cent from 2024, according to data compiled by Tourism Australia, the government agency tasked with promoting the country as a premier destination.

Between July 2025 and March 2026, mainland Chinese buyers were the largest group of foreign investors in the Australian housing market, snapping up 638 residential units worth A$800 million (US$559 million), according to data from the country’s Treasury Department.

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