Moving to Australia: full expat guide
Everything you need to know about moving to Australia from the USA.
Top 5 property management software systems in Australia
If you own a rental property in Australia but live in the US, managing it from thousands of miles away can be difficult. You'll need to collect rent, communicate with tenants, and stay on top of maintenance.
This is why many American property owners use property management software systems in Australia. Having the right tool makes the process much easier because it puts everything into one place online.
Australia has several good software options built for the local rental market. Here are the top 5 that'll help you manage your properties remotely and keep everything running smoothly.
We'll also introduce Wise — your international money transfer alternative. Use Wise to send stress-free transfers to over 140 countries - all at the standard mid-market exchange rate.
| Table of contents |
|---|
What is property management software?
Property management software is an online tool that helps you run your rental properties. Features vary across platforms, but the basic premise is that it helps you with tasks like rent collection, tenant messages, maintenance requests, and lease paperwork.
You can access everything through a website or phone app, which means you can manage your properties from anywhere.
Why is using property management software important in Australia?
Managing properties in Australia from the US creates a few problems. The distance makes even simple tasks like collecting rent more complicated, and time zones make it hard to talk with tenants and contractors when issues come up.
| 💡 Good software handles many of these challenges pretty much automatically. Of course, not everything can be automated, but things that can’t be automated can often be at least streamlined. |
|---|
Top 5 Australian property management software systems
Kolmeo
| 💡 Overview: |
|---|
|
Kolmeo works to make property management easier for property managers, owners, and tenants. In addition to helping you manage your property, Kolmeo can also connect you with agencies to find tenants and move them in. Plus, they offer a handy mobile app.
Hostfully
| 💡 Overview: |
|---|
|
Hostfully specializes in short-term rental management and focuses heavily on automating guest experiences. The platform has strong features like unified guest communication, AI-powered messaging, central calendar management, and multi-channel listing management across Airbnb, Vrbo, and other booking platforms.
They operate internationally, including in Australia, but it may be too robust of a platform if you only have 1 or 2 short-term rentals.
MRI Real Estate Software
| 💡 Overview: |
|---|
|
MRI Real Estate Software positions itself as an AI-first property technology platform for real estate visionaries.
The software targets larger property investors and management companies, so if you only own 1 or 2 properties, MRI's in-depth features might be more than what you need. At the same time, if you're looking for advanced tech capabilities, it can be a great fit.
PropertyMe
| 💡 Overview: |
|---|
|
PropertyMe is another property management software on this list that focuses on larger property investors and management companies. The platform has automated tools and trust accounting features, and cloud storage helps you reduce costs. However, it's likely not a great fit for individual property owners.
RentingSmart
| 💡 Overview: |
|---|
|
RentingSmart is a good option for property investors who want to manage their rentals without hiring professional property managers or real estate agents. The platform puts property owners back in control with tools to track rent payments, maintain records, streamline tenant communication, and manage documents.
How to choose the best property management software for your Australia-based home?
It's important to choose a property management software for landlords in Australia that makes sense for your specific needs. Think about these factors:
- Portfolio size: Small portfolios (1 to 4 properties) work well with simple platforms like RentingSmart, but larger investors need more robust solutions like PropertyMe
- Rental type: Managing short-term rentals and traditional long-term tenants requires different platform capabilities
- Involvement level: Decide if you want to self-manage everything or work with property management companies
You may have to experiment with different platforms to find the right property management software for you. Some platforms offer free trials, which can be helpful.
Just remember that while good software saves you time and hassle, you can still lose money on international transfers between Australia and the US. Banks often charge high fees plus currency exchange markups when converting your money from USD to AUD and vice versa.
| Wise can help you get a better deal on currency conversion. You can convert over 40 currencies at the standard mid-market exchange rate, and we'll show you the fees upfront so you know exactly how much you're paying. |
|---|
Sources
- Kolmeo - Home
- Hostfully - Pricing
- MRI Real Estate Software - Home
- PropertyMe - Pricing
- RentingSmart - Pricing
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
Money without borders
Find out more
Having a baby in Australia? Hospital, midwife, delivery, and IVF costs.
Having a new baby brings joy and excitement. Along with the excitement, there’s bound to be stress. If you’re an expat and an expectant parent, you face a...
Minimum wage in Australia? What you need to know
Australia is a place of abundant sunshine and stunning natural scenery. If you love being outside, Australia might be the perfect home for you. The Land Down...
Want Australian dual citizenship or nationality? Read this guide.
There are lots of people choosing to make their home in Australia. But having the right to live and work there isn’t the same as being an Australian citizen -...
What is the calling code for Australia? Making your phonecall.
The Land Down Under is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, as well as expats. With bustling cities and stunning natural scenery, it’s...
Getting health insurance in Australia: A complete guide
There’s a lot that’s great about moving to Australia. And even though getting high-quality healthcare might not be quite as much fun as a day on Bondi Beach...
