Home Loans for Expats
Expat Home Loans for Australians Living Overseas
Australians living and working overseas may still be able to purchase, refinance or invest in Australian property.
Not every lender accepts foreign income. Policies can vary based on your citizenship, residency, country of residence and income currency.
Your employment structure, proposed property and loan purpose can also affect the available options.
At My Finance Consultants, we compare suitable options across more than 40 lenders.
We assess how lenders treat foreign income, overseas tax, currency conversion, bonuses and allowances.
We then structure your application and manage the process through to settlement.
Where permitted, communication, document collection and identity verification can be completed remotely.
This helps minimise the time and administration required from you, wherever you are located.
Who We Help
We assist Australian citizens and permanent residents living and working overseas.
This includes expats buying Australian investment property, refinancing an existing property or purchasing before returning home.
We can also assist where your spouse or family already lives in Australia.
Self-employed expats, contractors and business owners may have options with selected lenders.
These applications often require additional financial information and a more detailed income assessment.
Where a foreign spouse, temporary resident, company or trust is involved, additional lending or foreign investment requirements may apply.
We assess the proposed ownership and borrower structure before recommending a lender.
How Lenders Assess Foreign Income
Foreign Income & Currency Conversion
Lenders generally convert your overseas income into Australian dollars using their own exchange rate.
They may then apply foreign income shading to allow for potential currency movements.
This means the lender may assess less income than the Australian-dollar equivalent shown on your payslip.
The amount of shading varies between lenders and currencies.
Foreign Tax Treatment
Lenders may also consider tax payable in the country where you work.
Some assess net foreign income, while others use their own method when calculating income available for repayments.
We compare both the tax treatment and currency conversion policy when assessing your options.
Accepted Foreign Currencies
Commonly accepted currencies can include USD, GBP, AED, SGD, HKD, NZD and EUR.
Other currencies may also be accepted by selected lenders.
Each lender maintains its own currency policy, and different shading can apply to different currencies.
Bonuses, Allowances & Variable Income
Lenders generally begin with your base salary or regular employment income.
Bonuses, commissions, overtime and allowances may also be accepted when properly evidenced.
Some lenders accept only a percentage of variable income or require a minimum history.
Housing, transport and other allowances may also be considered under selected policies.
Contractors & Self-Employed Expats
Contractors may need to provide employment contracts, income history and evidence of previous contract renewals.
Self-employed applicants may require overseas tax returns, financial statements and business bank statements.
Fewer lenders may accept self-employed foreign income, but suitable options can still be available.
Deposit, LVR & Professional Benefits
There is no single maximum LVR for every Australian expat.
Your maximum will depend on your citizenship, country of residence, income currency, lender and proposed property.
A contribution of around 20% of the lender-assessed property value, plus purchasing costs, is a practical starting point.
Selected lenders may consider higher LVRs in suitable circumstances.
The lender's valuation may differ from the purchase price, which can increase the contribution required.
Professional LMI Waivers
Selected medical, legal, accounting and other eligible professionals may qualify for professional LMI waivers.
However, eligibility available to Australian-based borrowers does not automatically apply when you live overseas.
Your profession, registration, foreign income, currency and lender policy will all be relevant.
We confirm whether a professional waiver is available before relying on it in your lending strategy.
Ownership, Foreign Investment & Documents
Ownership & Loan Structure
Australian property may be purchased individually, jointly or through selected company or trust structures.
Available structures and maximum LVRs vary between lenders.
A lender may also classify the property differently depending on who will occupy it.
For example, a home occupied by your spouse while you work overseas may be treated differently between lenders.
Specific tax, legal and ownership-structure advice should be obtained from appropriately qualified advisers.
Foreign Investment Considerations
Australian citizens living overseas generally do not require residential foreign investment approval.
Australian permanent residents are also generally exempt.
Different requirements may apply where a foreign spouse, temporary resident, company or trust is involved.
State-based foreign purchaser duties or land tax can also apply in some circumstances.
Your solicitor, conveyancer or tax adviser should confirm the requirements before you enter a contract.
Documents You May Need
You will generally need identification, evidence of citizenship or residency and your current overseas residential details.
Lenders may also request payslips, an employment contract, bank statements and overseas tax documents.
Self-employed borrowers can require business financial statements, tax returns and evidence of trading history.
You will also need to disclose Australian and overseas assets, liabilities and available funds.
Documents not issued in English may need to be professionally translated.
Identity documents may also require certification where electronic verification is unavailable.
We confirm the lender's requirements before you arrange translations or certification.
Buying, Investing or Refinancing From Overseas
Buying Before Returning to Australia
You may be able to purchase before returning home.
The lender may ask when you expect to return and who will occupy the property beforehand.
Future Australian employment may also be relevant where it is appropriately documented.
Investing While Overseas
Selected lenders accept foreign income for Australian investment property loans.
They may also consider expected rental income, generally reduced for assessment purposes.
We compare how lenders assess both your foreign employment income and Australian rental income.
Purchasing for Your Family
You may wish to purchase a home for your spouse or family while you continue working overseas.
Selected lenders may accept this arrangement.
The residency of each applicant and proposed occupancy can affect the available options.
Refinancing an Australian Property
Australian expats may be able to refinance an existing Australian home or investment loan.
This can be used to review rates, loan features or repayment structure.
Cash-out, debt consolidation and equity-release policies can be more restrictive for expat borrowers.
Our Process — Designed Across Time Zones
Foreign Income Assessment
We review your country of residence, citizenship, income currency and employment structure.
We also assess salary, bonuses, allowances and available financial documents.
This helps identify likely policy issues before approaching a lender.
Lender Comparison & Loan Strategy
We compare suitable lenders based on your foreign income, contribution, property and loan purpose.
We also compare interest rates, fees, maximum LVRs and relevant loan features.
Where applicable, we assess whether a professional LMI waiver may be available.
Application & Approval
We prepare your application and coordinate the required Australian and overseas documents.
We manage lender questions and additional document requests throughout the assessment process.
Settlement & Ongoing Reviews
We coordinate with the lender and other relevant parties as your loan progresses towards settlement.
Where possible, documents and identity verification can be completed remotely.
After settlement, we can periodically review your interest rate, loan features and overall structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Get a Home Loan Using Overseas Income?
Potentially. Selected lenders accept foreign employment and self-employed income.
Your eligibility will depend on your currency, country of residence, citizenship and overall financial position.
Which Foreign Currencies Are Accepted?
Commonly accepted currencies can include USD, GBP, AED, SGD, HKD, NZD and EUR.
Other currencies may be accepted, depending on the lender.
How Much Deposit Will I Need?
Around 20% of the lender-assessed property value, plus purchasing costs, is a practical starting point.
Selected lenders may consider higher LVRs depending on your circumstances.
Can I Borrow More Than 80% LVR?
Potentially. Higher-LVR options may be available with selected lenders.
Eligibility depends on factors including your citizenship, income currency, profession and country of residence.
Do I Need to Be in Australia to Apply?
Not necessarily. Many applications can use video calls, secure document portals, electronic signatures and digital identity verification.
Some transactions may still require certified documents or original signatures.
Are Interest Rates Higher for Australian Expats?
Not automatically. Some borrowers may qualify for mainstream lender products, while others require specialist expat lending.
Pricing depends on your LVR, income, residency and overall application.
Can I Apply Jointly With a Foreign Spouse?
Potentially. Your spouse's citizenship and residency can affect lender eligibility, foreign investment requirements and state-based charges.
Your solicitor or conveyancer should confirm any legal and duty implications.
Can I Refinance While Living Overseas?
Potentially. Selected lenders allow Australian expats to refinance Australian property.
Your foreign income must satisfy the new lender's assessment requirements, and some cash-out restrictions may apply.