BNW Developments grows footprint in Australia with Sydney office
BNW Developments, one of the UAE’s fastest-growing real estate companies, has expanded into Australia with the launch of a new Sydney office, creating a dedicated local presence for Australian investors seeking exposure to the UAE’s residential property market.
BNW Developments, one of the UAE’s fastest-growing real estate companies, has expanded into Australia with the launch of a new Sydney office, creating a dedicated local presence for Australian investors seeking exposure to the UAE’s residential property market.
The new office is also expected to strengthen BNW’s relationships with wealth advisers, channel partners and the wider Australian investment community, as interest grows in international property diversification.
Following recent changes to Australia’s property investment taxation framework, BNW’s expansion comes as investors explore international markets offering different tax, rental yield and residency settings. Headquartered in Dubai and operating across six locations, BNW specialises in luxury residential property, with development activity concentrated in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.
The group currently has 13 launched projects and 16 projects in its pipeline, with a gross development value of Dh32 billion (approximately AU$12 billion).
The launch comes amid changing conditions for Australian property investors following reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax announced in the 2026 Federal Budget and scheduled to take effect from July 2027. Commonwealth Bank reported that investor loan applications fell by 28 percent following the Budget, compared with a nine percent decline in owner-occupier applications, highlighting changes in investor activity as Australians reassess their property strategies.
Against this backdrop, international markets such as the UAE are attracting attention for their different taxation, rental yield and residency settings.
According to BNW, Australian capital is increasingly flowing into the UAE, supported by economic fundamentals, investor-focused policies and lifestyle considerations. The average rental yield for properties in Dubai is currently stated at six to ten percent tax-free, compared with a national Australian average of 3.7 percent.
Australian property investors currently account for 5.7 percent of Dubai’s property market, according to the company, putting them on par with neighbouring markets such as Saudi Arabia.
The UAE also offers no personal income tax, capital gains tax on property sales or recurring land tax on properties. Eligible property investors can also access the UAE Golden Visa, with a ten-year renewable residency pathway linked to property investments of Dh2 million or more (approximately AU$750,000).
Investing in the UAE can also provide currency diversification, as the UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar. Changes in the US$-AU$ exchange rate can therefore affect the Australian-dollar value of UAE property alongside rental income and capital appreciation.
Dr (CA) Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman and Founder of BNW Developments, said Australian investors are increasingly considering opportunities beyond their domestic market.
“Australian investors are increasingly looking beyond their domestic market and asking different questions about where their capital can be deployed, the income a property can generate and the broader benefits of international diversification. The UAE offers a very different proposition to Australia, combining an established international property sector with strong tourism and population growth, attractive tax settings and a pathway to long-term residency for eligible investors.
“With our Sydney office, we can bring our local market knowledge and development pipeline directly to Australian investors, while providing the level of service and guidance they expect when making an international property investment.”
Ras Al Khaimah is also emerging as a significant market for international property investment, recording Dh12.3 billion (approximately AU$4.7 billion) in residential sales across 6,600 transactions in 2025. Off-plan properties accounted for 85 percent of transactions, while foreign investors represented more than 60 percent of buyers on Al Marjan Island.
BNW’s future pipeline is primarily concentrated across Ras Al Khaimah Central, Al Marjan Island and Beach District, alongside projects in Dubai. Current development opportunities include Tonino Lamborghini Residences, the first development of its kind in Ras Al Khaimah, and Radisson Blu Hotels and Residences, a mixed-use hospitality precinct offering residential apartments and views across the surrounding area.
The transformation of Al Marjan Island is also being supported by the upcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island, the UAE’s first integrated resort. The development is expected to contribute to tourism growth, with projections indicating a potential 65 percent increase in visitation in its first year and visitor numbers reaching 5.5 million by 2030.
The group recently announced the signing of the world’s first Dolce Residences in partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Located on Al Marjan Island, the boutique development will comprise 93 premium residential units and five retail spaces, combining contemporary design with lifestyle-focused amenities.
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