Australians Seek Affordable Housing in Lombok, Indonesia
As domestic housing costs rise, more Australians are turning to Indonesian villa investments for better affordability.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Residential
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Increasing numbers of Australians are purchasing residential properties in Lombok, Indonesia, as domestic housing affordability pressures grow. Buyers are increasingly looking toward international real estate to find more affordable lifestyle options while maintaining remote work.
Why it matters
The rise in overseas property interest reflects severe domestic housing stress, with 62 percent of respondents to a recent report spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Many households are now forced to make significant financial sacrifices to keep up with basic costs.
Australians now make up 50 percent of clients at Reef Property Lombok, a significant increase from 15 percent two years ago. Properties in Kuta currently range from $350,000 for two-bedroom villas to $1.2 million for five-bedroom ocean-view homes.
The players
Reef Property Lombok
A real estate agency facilitating property transactions for international buyers in the Indonesian market.
Everybody's Home
An advocacy group that tracks national housing affordability trends and surveys household financial health.
The details
Foreigners cannot hold freehold land in Indonesia under Government Regulation No. 18 of 2021, so buyers typically access property through leasehold arrangements. This shift is facilitated by remote work, which allows buyers to maintain Australian domestic employment while residing abroad. The trend is driven by domestic affordability issues, where even a $20 weekly increase in mortgage or rent forces 76 percent of surveyed households to sacrifice other expenses.
Timeline
The Australian customer share at Reef Property was 15 percent in 2024.
The No Room to Move report was released in October 2026.
The Home Front
This trend highlights the growing divide between local housing costs and international market opportunities for mobile workers. It occurs against the strict parameters of Indonesia's Government Regulation No. 18 of 2021, which dictates how foreign residents can secure housing rights.
If you are considering overseas real estate, prioritize verifying the specific leasehold terms required by local laws like Indonesia's Government Regulation No. 18 of 2021. Always consult with an international property attorney to understand your long-term occupancy rights before committing capital.
The takeaway
The move toward international property is a direct response to rising domestic housing costs that leave many households feeling trapped. Before exploring international markets, ensure you have documented all financial outflows and consulted with a professional regarding foreign property laws.
Further reading
Learn more about global market shifts in our Residential section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News24.
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Would you consider purchasing property abroad to escape high housing costs in your home country?
