Australians Increasingly Purchase Homes in Lombok, Indonesia
Rising domestic housing costs drive more Australians to seek property investment and lifestyle options in Lombok.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Residential
Live Poll
Would you consider purchasing property abroad to escape high housing costs in your home country?
Australians now make up 50 percent of clients at Reef Property Lombok, a significant increase from just 15 percent two years ago. This trend is fueled by severe domestic housing affordability pressures that force many to seek more accessible options abroad.
Why it matters
The shift highlights how domestic housing stress is pushing citizens to explore overseas real estate. Many Australians now leverage remote work to maintain their local employment while residing in more affordable international markets.
Two-bedroom villas in Kuta are priced around $350,000, while larger five-bedroom ocean-view properties reach up to $1.2 million. Ownership for foreigners is restricted to leasehold arrangements under Indonesia's Government Regulation No. 18 of 2021.
The players
Reef Property Lombok
This is a real estate agency operating in Indonesia that facilitates property acquisitions for international clients.
The details
Data from the No Room to Move report shows that 76 percent of 1,150 respondents would have to make personal sacrifices if their housing costs rose by just $20 weekly. Additionally, 38 percent of those surveyed reported avoiding medical care to prioritize their rent or mortgage payments.
Timeline
Australian customer share at Reef Property stood at 15 percent in 2024.
The No Room to Move report was released in October 2026.
Culture Shift
This trend marks a departure from traditional domestic property ownership as Australians increasingly prioritize lifestyle flexibility over local equity. It highlights the growing influence of remote work in redefining where global citizens choose to build their homes.
For Australians struggling with housing costs, considering overseas markets requires navigating strict leasehold laws rather than traditional freehold ownership. Buyers must balance the potential for a lower cost of living against the logistical and legal complexities of managing property abroad.
The takeaway
The rise of international property buying underscores the intense pressure of domestic housing affordability on the modern workforce. Prospective buyers should thoroughly research local land ownership regulations before committing capital to overseas markets.
Further reading
For more on market trends, visit our Residential section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News24.
Live Poll
Would you consider purchasing property abroad to escape high housing costs in your home country?
