6. Withholding & Stamp Duties requirements (essential reading for non-citizens of Australia)
The Australian Tax-Office requires property valued at AUD 2 mio or above to be liable to a withholding tax of 10%. Broadly, where a foreign resident disposes of certain taxable Australian property, the purchaser will be required to withhold 10% of the purchase price*and pay that amount to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Different States will also have their own requirements as to duties. For example, in NSW there is a sur-charge for foreigners of 4 % on top of the normal duties. However the definition of foreigner includes someone who has not stay in NSW in the last 200 days within 12 months immediately preceding the purchase but excludes Australian Citizens (but not Permanent Resident) (See http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/taxes/spd). For general stamp duty use this calculator (https://www.apps08.osr.nsw.gov.au/erevenue/calculators/landsalesimple.php) 
