The dream of moving to Australia as an expat is becoming increasingly challenging for families like Ruth and Martin Evans. They had planned to split their time between the UK and Australia, spending six months in each country. However, recent changes in Australian property laws have thrown a wrench in their plans.

Australia announced a two-year ban on non-resident foreigners buying existing property, making it difficult for the Evanses to secure a home in Sydney. The stricter lending conditions, additional stamp duties, and taxes have further complicated the process of buying property in Australia for non-residents.

The visa process has also proven to be a major hurdle for the Evanses and many other British expats. The rules are constantly changing, making it difficult to navigate the immigration system and secure residency in Australia. As a result, the Evanses are now considering renting a property in Australia instead of buying.

The increasing restrictions on foreign buyers in Australia have left many British expats feeling unwelcome in the country. While the government’s primary motive is to improve housing affordability for citizens, British expats are feeling like collateral damage in these new regulations.

Despite the challenges, many British expats are still determined to make Australia their home. The pull factors of sun, sea, and the opportunity to live close to family members already in Australia are strong motivators for families like the Evanses and the Bloomfields.

The path towards homeownership in Australia may be getting steeper, but for those determined to stay, the dream of living in the “lucky country” remains alive. The Evanses and other British expats are willing to do whatever it takes to keep their families together and make Australia their new home, even if it means facing more obstacles along the way.