It is possible to own
your own holiday home on Norfolk Island without being
declared a resident; most sales of land or homes are freehold and you will
have exclusive title; if you are purchasing a home, it
will likely be a freehold
sale of land and home. You will have the opportunity to
enjoy your holidays on Norfolk Island in your own home;
you may have the opportunity to enjoy a tax-free income
if you rent it out, or just enjoy the lifestyle of the
island, pollution-free and stress-free.
If you are
purchasing a business, check whether it includes freehold title,
or it just the business itself. The Government of Norfolk
Island encourages business people to invest in the island,
and this is an ideal way to obtain a general entry permit (GEP),
which allows you to live and work on Norfolk Island. After 5
years of residing on the island with a GEP, you will then be
eligible for full residency, equivalent to island citizenship.
General
Norfolk Island Information
Your welcome in Norfolk
Island of approx. 1,800 residents will be as warm as its
average summer temperature of 25C and as constant as the
cooling breezes.
Norfolk islanders are
gracious, energetic hosts, proud of their mixed cultural
heritage - Tahitian and English, and are always anxious
to help visitors enjoy their stay on their exotic South
Pacific island. Over 50% of the islanders are from
Australia and New Zealand, and also approx. 37 other
nationalities such as Fijian, Vanuatuan, South African,
British, American, Austrian and Russian.
Norfolk Island has
powder-white beaches - Emily Bay and Anson Bay -
considered two of the finest in the South Pacific.
Modern hotels, cottages and resorts, and no high-rises,
offer every facility. For nightlife, there's no shortage
of bars, clubs and restaurants serving local and world
dishes.
The island is a magnet
for those in search of natural wonders. The waters of
Norfolk Island are always warm, usually 21C, and
swarming with life. You'll see scores of tropical fish,
turtles, and the most southerly coral reef in the world.
Enjoy a true diving or snorkeling experience.
Real Estate
in Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island
has a mild sub-tropical climate. Because of this,
visitors and locals alike can rely on the sunny warm
weather throughout the year. Also the island lies
outside the cyclone belt, ideal when considering South
Pacific holiday home ownership.
Another assurance for
foreign ownership is that Norfolk island is a territory
within the Commonwealth of Australia. Under
Commonwealth Laws, Norfolk Island is recognized as a
self-governing external territory under the authority of
Australia.It is
self-governing yet yet also under the authority of
Australia. It has its own self government but Australia
has power over Norfolk Island. Thus foreign ownership
protection is assured and in place in Norfolk island.
There are no restrictions on ownership of private
property by non-residents in Norfolk Island.
Upon finding and
purchasing your new Norfolk island holiday home or
business, you will require a lawyer to do the
conveyancing. This person will take care of all legal
matters; including due diligence. In total, the time to
settlement for your property will be about 6-8 weeks to
complete.
In regards to banking, Norfolk Island has two banks, Westpac Bank and
Commonwealth Bank, both of which will make real estate
loans.
In 2007, a 9% tax was
introduced on sales and services, called a GST (Goods and
Services Tax).
Norfolk Island enjoys one
of the highest standards of living in the South Pacific
with an economy based on tourism, or tourism related
activities. Norfolk Island is known for its white,
sandy beaches on Emily Bay, with its calm crystal clear
waters, and its historical area soon to be proclaimed by
UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The island is
surrounded by cliffs, offering protection from any
tsunamis. One third of the island is protected by
National Park with beautiful walking trails; with the
highest points being Mount Bates (318m) and Mount Pitt
(316 m). Kingston, the capital, is found on the
southern end, and Burnt Pine, the commercial capital, is
located in the centre.
Norfolk is the native
language of Norfolk Island, though English is spoken by
most people.
The Norfolk Island
International Airport has flights to New Zealand and
Australian cities.
So from Norfolk Island
where “Whatewhei”
means welcome (and "how are you") in the local language
of Norfolk, Whatewhei, come enjoy the fine crystal
waters, beaches and lifestyle - and own your own piece
of a tropical paradise. Having real estate in Norfolk
Island is a dream come true.