Despite tougher restrictions on foreign investment, foreigners have increased their presence in established housing markets, especially in Victoria, according to figures from National Australia Bank.
Foreign buyers increased their slice of the purchases of existing housing stock to 8.6 per cent during the June quarter, up from 7.5 per cent in the three months to March 30.
However, NAB's quarterly property survey also showed foreign buyers of Australian houses becoming less active in the new property market in the second quarter, with their share of national demand falling to 12.8 per cent from 15.6 per cent in the first quarter.
The federal government began a crackdown on unlawful home purchases by foreign buyers in February, announcing heavy application fees to help the Foreign Investment Review Board monitor the market. In July, the Abbott government was reportedly seeking to tighten the rules further to prevent FIRB approving applications that involve knocking down an existing home because it has reached the end of its 'economic life'.
For the first time, NAB's survey distinguished between foreign buyers in the apartment and housing markets.
NAB said foreign buyers accounted for more than 16 per cent of all apartment sales in the new property market, and more than 11 per cent of all house sales in the second quarter of the year, according to surveyed property professionals.
However, the figures differed greatly on a state-by-state basis.
Foreigners bought more than 28 per cent of all new apartments in Melbourne, compared to just 16.5 per cent in New South Wales.
For sales of established apartment and home sales, foreigners made up 11.4 per cent and 9.4 per cent of buyers, respectively, over the three months to June 30.
"It was however notable that foreign buyers had a much bigger presence in the established housing market in Victoria, with a market share of just over 16 per cent," NAB chief economist Alan Oster said.
"This was much higher than in all other states."
Despite stricter restrictions on foreign investment in the established residential property market, the survey suggests foreign buyers also play a fairly significant role in that segment of the Australian housing market, Mr Oster said.
Meanwhile the number of first home buyers purchasing new properties rose to more than 1 in 4 new home sales, likely due to the number of first home buyer investors, who chose to rent out the property.
NAB is forecasting average national house prices to grow 6.1 per cent through to the end of the calendar year, led by Sydney, where prices are expected to rise 10.2 per cent, and Melbourne, forecast to increase 6.5 per cent.
In Perth, house prices are tipped to fall 3.8 per cent as the end of the mining boom dampens demand for housing.
In 2016, house price growth is forecast to slow to 3 per cent nationwide.