How would you play this if you were in my shoes? (SEQ, PR pending, decent savings)

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some perspective because I don’t really have anyone in Australia to talk this through with yet.

At the moment we are a family of two, me and my wife, both 35. Currently living in SEQ and waiting for PR (can’t buy property until that’s granted). Planning to expand the family soon, hopefully next year.

Current financial situation:

• Income: $125k (me) + $90k (wife)
• Superannuation: ~$90k each (we’ve contributed ~$45-65k each since arriving)
• Savings: ~$300k in Australia, ~$200k overseas, and ~$10k in stocks (bought for $6k years ago, not touching it if i don't have too).
• Family support: our families are willing to give us as gift ~$300k
• Rent: $2,400/month
• Utilities (electricity, phone, internet, food, car expenses and transportation): ~$2000-$2500/month
• Other: I own a small house overseas (~$60k AUD value, with relatives living there rent-free, they are just covering rates/utilities, i want to help them as they are on low income). So, on paper I own property overseas, but this is only a problem as it affects my eligibility for some first home buyer benefits here in Australia. In reality that property is not worth even as much as a toilet here :D

We live simple live, minimalistic, no fancy cars, no big spending. Just a couple of small holidays in the last 5 years. In our current roles, we can't get a better salary, but once we're off our visa and the market recovers, we may have more job opportunities.

What I was brainstorming in my mind, the rough plan (next 5-10 years, once PR comes through):

Step 1 – Buy property to live in (under $750k, in my wife’s name only), so she can access first home buyer benefits:

• Use $30k First Home Owner Grant (for new builds)
• Get stamp duty exemption
• Withdraw ~$45k from super under FHSS
• Put down a 20% deposit (not using the 5% scheme)

For this price, we’re likely looking at a townhouse in outer SEQ. We’d live in it for at least 24-48 months, maybe longer if it makes sense.

I plan to:

• Keep 12 months of mortgage payments in an offset account
• Set aside $50–100k to invest in a side business (I already had a business overseas and want to start something small here, in a similar industry, i know that industry in and out). Currently working 45 hours/week (paid for 38), but I could add 20 more hours/week to grow the business, at the beginning just offering the "passive" products and services, but in future activating the full spectrum as before. I’ve been used to working 70+ hours a week overseas, so I’m comfortable with that.

Step 2 – Within 12 months of Step 1, buy a second property (investment property):

• Budget: Up to ~$1M
• 20% deposit
• Ideally, something with dual income/dual occupancy

After this, whatever is left (hopefully ~$100–200k) I was thinking to invest in global ETFs, unless it’s better to put that into paying off the mortgage/some offset account?

A few questions:

1. Am I missing any blind spots in this plan?
2. Would it be smarter to skip the grants and go straight for a stronger $900k–$1M property to live in (PPOR)?
3. Would you consider using a trust for the second property?
4. Is it wise to invest so much in the property market, or should I put more into ETFs? (With the tax benefits here, property seems logical, but I’m still learning the system).

I know I’ll need to speak to a financial adviser (and I will before making any moves), but I’m just trying to sanity-check the structure first and see if there’s a better way to approach this.

If anyone has recommendations for good financial advisers in SEQ, I’d love to hear them.

How would you structure this if you were in my position?