Australia's Real Estate, Attractive Investment Option for Indians

Investments in real estate have long been a migration route for Indians with a deep pocket. Cities like Dubai and London have traditionally attracted India’s rich citizens. Now, with investors looking towards Australia as an option for real estate investments, rich Indians are considering it a viable option for investment related migration.

India’s shows 2nd highest growth in net worth individuals

The global economy may be in a bad shape and India’s poor and middle-class may be suffering from inflation and price rise, but it is not all gloom for India’s wealthy. According to the Capgemini and RBC Wealth Management's 2013 World Wealth Report (WWR), India recorded the second highest growth in number of high net worth individuals (HNWI) – those with investable assets worth over $1 million.

It is this category, which can benefit from real estate investments in Australia. The country offers a lucrative destination for, across the broad returns, in real estate investments; in residential, commercial, infrastructure and other development projects. 

Australian cities prime destination for global investments

Over the years, Australian cities have been attracting huge investment from countries like New Zealand, US, UK, Germany and Singapore. The prime attraction among global real estate investors has been waterfront apartments along the coasts and property investments for commercial and business activities.

What also makes real estate attractive in Australia is the fact that the country ranks high on almost all the liveability indexes. For the third year running, Melbourne - the capital of Victoria and the second most populous city in Australia - was named the most liveable city, by the Global Liveability Survey 2013, released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The other three Australian cities that have made it to the top 10 include Adelaide, Sydney and Perth.

Property consultants believe that Australia offers the best in class assets for prospective consumers. For families seeking to migrate, Australian cities have some of the best educational institutions, healthcare facilities, recreational and commercial infrastructure in the world. Now, with Indians overtaking the Chinese in migration figures, Australia also has a very vibrant Indian community, poised to play an important social, political and economic role.

Australia’s significant investor visa program

With the objective to increase investments from the rich in Asian countries, including India, the Australian government launched a significant investor’s visa program, last year. The focus is to target high net worth individuals (HNWI) who can invest at least A$5 million in certain assets in return for concessions on fulfilling migration visa norms.

Although, wealthy Indians have preferred investing in Britain and North America all these years, there is now a noticeable increase in demand for real estate in Australia, with investors particularly focusing on hotels and serviced apartments.

With Australia offering one of the highest returns on real estate in Asia, this shift in trend among Indian investors will continue to grow stronger in the coming years.