Buying property in Australia when you are not a citizen or permanent resident is absolutely possible, but it does come with a different set of rules compared to standard home loans. At FinancePath, we work with temporary residents, foreign residents, and people on a work visa or student visa who want to purchase property here. Whether you are looking at a non-resident home loan for a place to live or an investment property, understanding the rules upfront can save you a lot of time and money.
Who Can Apply for a Non-Resident Loan?
Not everyone in the same situation will qualify for the same type of loan. Lenders assess non-resident mortgage applications on a case-by-case basis, which means your visa status, income source, and the type of property you want to buy all play a role. Temporary residents on a valid work visa, foreign nationals earning overseas income, and people on certain other visa types may all be eligible, but the lending criteria can vary significantly between lenders. That is why working with a broker like FinancePath, who understands this space, makes such a difference.
If you are an Australian living and working abroad, you may want to look at our expat home loans page instead, as the rules for expats can differ from those that apply to foreign residents.
FIRB Approval and What It Means
Most people who are not a citizen or permanent resident of Australia need to obtain approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board before purchasing residential property. This is known as FIRB approval. To get it, you need to complete an application form on the Australian Tax Office (ATO) website and pay an application fee, which is also called the FIRB fee. The fee amount depends on the value of the property you are looking to buy.
The FIRB application process is separate from your loan application, and it is important to get this sorted early. Generally speaking, foreign buyers are restricted in the type of residential real estate they can purchase. There are strict rules regarding the type of residential real estate and investment property that non-residents can buy. In most cases, foreign residents are only permitted to purchase new dwellings or vacant land for development, rather than established homes. This is sometimes referred to as the new dwelling FIRB rule. If you want to buy new buildings or a newly constructed property, you are more likely to meet the FIRB requirements. The ATO application process is straightforward once you know what is required, and FinancePath can point you in the right direction.
Deposit Requirements and LVR Limits
One of the biggest differences with a non-resident mortgage compared to a standard home loan is the deposit requirements. Lenders typically require a larger non-resident deposit, and the loan-to-value ratio, or LVR limits, are often stricter. Many lenders will cap the LVR at 70 to 80 percent for non-resident borrowers, which means you may need a deposit of at least 20 to 30 percent of the property value. Some lenders apply even tighter LVR limits depending on your visa status and the source of your income.
Overseas income can also be assessed differently. Lenders often apply a discount to overseas income when calculating how much you can borrow, and currency exchange fluctuations are factored in as a risk. This can affect your borrowing capacity, so it is worth getting a clear picture of your situation before you start looking at properties. FinancePath can help you understand what lenders are likely to accept and how your income will be assessed.
Loan Interest Rates for Non-Residents
The loan interest rate on a non-resident mortgage is generally higher than what an Australian citizen or permanent resident would pay. This reflects the additional risk that lenders associate with foreign buyer mortgage applications. The rate you are offered will depend on the lender, your visa type, your deposit size, and your overall financial profile. It is also worth noting that stamp duty may be higher for foreign buyers in some states, including Victoria, where an additional surcharge applies on top of standard stamp duty. FinancePath will make sure you understand all the costs involved before you commit to anything.
If you are considering buying your first investment property in Australia as a non-resident, it is especially important to understand how these additional costs affect your overall return. A temporary visa home loan or a work visa mortgage can still be a smart financial move, but the numbers need to stack up properly.
How FinancePath Can Help
At FinancePath, we take the time to understand your individual situation before recommending any non-resident mortgage solutions. We work with a range of lenders who are experienced in assessing foreign buyer mortgage applications, and we know which lenders are more flexible when it comes to overseas income, visa status, and deposit requirements. We also understand the FIRB process and can help you understand what steps you need to take before you apply for a loan.
Whether you are on a temporary visa, a student visa, or you are a foreign national looking to invest in Australian property, FinancePath is here to help you understand your options. We also offer a loan health check if you already have a loan and want to make sure you are on the right track. Our team works with clients across Melbourne and beyond, and we are committed to giving you clear, honest guidance every step of the way. Get in touch with FinancePath today to find out what non-resident loan options may be available to you.
We begin by gaining a deep understanding of you - your goals, your lifestyle, your current position, and where you want to be in the future.
At this stage, we focus on asking the questions that matter to you, not just the questions lenders require. This allows us to build a strategy that supports your life today and your longterm plans, not just a transaction.
During this stage, we:
This first step ensures we're aligned and preparing a lending plan that's tailored specifically to your needs - not a one size fits all approach. It's all about setting the right foundation so the rest of the journey feels simple, informed, and stress free.
Next, we design a personalised lending solution around your unique circumstances and guide you through every part of the approval journey.
After analysing your position and reviewing the broader lending market, we provide you with a clear, personalised borrowing capacity and a lending structure that aligns with both your immediate needs and future goals.
In this stage, we:
You'll always know where things stand, what's coming next, and what actions (if any) you need to take. We remove the complexity from this step so you can move forward with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
Once approved, we support you through settlement and continue to work with you well beyond your loan being put in place.
Settlement is not the end of the journey - it's the beginning of an ongoing relationship designed to ensure your lending continues to support your life as it evolves.
Here's what this includes:
We proactively reach out to ensure your lending remains aligned with your goals - now and into the future - giving you the confidence and peace of mind that we have your back.
Your lending journey doesn't end at settlement, and neither does our support. Our ongoing approach ensures you're always well positioned to make the most of your financial opportunities.
















































Chris and his team have been a pleasure to deal with during the whole process. Very informative and got us a great result with our remortgage.
Nick Little
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John Denier
Jake was amazing, so personable and an excellent broker!
kath brundell
Hands down the best broker experience we have ever had. Mark, his team and network of property professionals made our experience 10/10. Have already told all my family and friends, can’t recommend FinancePath more!
Brayden King
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We envision a world where financial stress is a thing of the past. Where everyone has a trusted partner guiding them through life’s biggest financial decisions—24/7.
We’re here to help you seize opportunities, avoid pitfalls, and live your best life. Not just for you, but for your family, friends, and future generations.
Book AppointmentMany brokers focus on how much you can borrow. We focus on how much you should borrow — and, just as importantly, why.
Rather than producing a generic borrowing capacity figure, our role is to ask the right questions upfront so your lending strategy actually fits your life. We take the time to understand your income structure, expenses, lifestyle priorities, future plans, and risk tolerance before discussing numbers. This ensures your lending position supports where you’re heading, not just what a calculator says is possible.
From there, we help you shape a personalised lending strategy — considering cash flow, tax implications, flexibility, and future opportunities — so your finance decisions remain sustainable and intentional over time. Our focus is on clarity and confidence, not maximising debt.
We also stay involved beyond settlement. That means helping you understand how your loan works day‑to‑day, keeping an eye on whether it still suits your circumstances, and checking in as your goals or situation evolve.
Unlike many brokers, we hold an Australian Credit Licence (ACL), which means we are required to meet strict compliance standards, maintain professional indemnity insurance, manage dispute resolution processes, and demonstrate adequate resources and systems. This provides reassurance that you’re working with a licensed professional held to high regulatory and ethical standards.
In short, we don’t just arrange loans — we help you make lending decisions that still feel right years down the track.
Instead, we’re paid through commissions by the fund provider when a loan settles and, in some cases, while the loan remains in place. This payment structure does not change our legal obligations to you.
As licensed mortgage brokers, we are required to act in your best interests and comply with responsible lending obligations under Australian law. That means we must take reasonable steps to ensure any loan we recommend is suitable for your circumstances, aligns with your objectives, and does not place you in financial hardship. Our duty is to you — not the lender.
Banks, by contrast, are only required to ensure a loan is not unsuitable for their customer. They are not held to the same best‑interests obligation and are limited to offering products from their own range.
Our process is designed around these higher standards. We focus on understanding your full financial position, asking the right questions, and recommending lending solutions that are sustainable over the long term — not simply what you might qualify for today.
This approach gives you confidence that your lending decisions are being made carefully, responsibly, and with your interests at the centre — both now and into the future.
Not at all. Whatever stage of life you are in or financial position you find yourself in, we can help bring clarity to your money matters. We may identify loan products with better rates, or help you build a smarter end-to-end money management strategy. It all starts with a free smart money management consultation. Whether you are looking to reduce debt, grow wealth, or simply get a clearer picture of your finances, our team is ready to help you take the next step. There are no obligations and no pressure, just straightforward, honest guidance tailored to your situation. Give us a call on 1300 780 440 to get started.
Interest rate movements are one of the most common concerns we hear from borrowers — and understandably so. Even small changes can affect repayments and your longer‑term financial position.
At FinancePath, you’re not left to navigate these changes on your own. Our role is to help you understand how rate movements may affect your loan and to be available when it makes sense to review your options. When you’re considering a change — whether that’s reviewing your rate, restructuring your loan, or exploring refinancing — we’ll walk you through the implications clearly so you can make an informed decision.
We also focus heavily on getting the structure right from the outset. That includes discussing fixed versus variable rates, split loan options, and flexibility features, so your loan is aligned with your goals and risk tolerance from day one — not just current market conditions.
Our approach is about long‑term suitability, not constant switching. As your circumstances or the lending environment change, we’re here to help you assess what still makes sense, so your loan continues to support your broader financial plans over time.
Missing out on a great property because your bank is buried in paperwork is frustrating — and avoidable. We work closely with a wide range of Australian lenders, including specialist lending teams that don’t deal directly with the public. This allows us to assess your situation efficiently and guide your application through the process without unnecessary delays.
Whether you’re seeking pre‑approval or need a fast turnaround on a purchase, we focus on momentum so you’re always ready to act. No sitting on hold. No waiting weeks for updates. When the right opportunity comes along, you’ll be in a strong position to move forward with confidence.
While every situation is different, most applications move from initial submission through to settlement within two to six weeks. Your first financial assessment and loan recommendation can typically happen within days of providing your details. From there, formal application and lender assessment generally takes one to two weeks, though complexity, document readiness, and the lender's current workload can all influence the timeline. Property valuations and legal checks can also add time depending on the circumstances. Pre-approval can often be obtained faster, sometimes within just a few days. At FinancePath, we work to keep things moving efficiently at every stage and will keep you informed throughout so there are never any surprises. The goal is always to get you to settlement as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Most people approach a bank only after finding a property they want. By that point, time pressure is working against you, and any gaps in your application become urgent problems.
We take the opposite approach. Getting your lending position clear before you need it means we can ask the right questions, gather the correct documents, and present your application accurately, without the rush. Approval timeframes ultimately depend on the lender and loan type, but our role is to remove every delay on your side, avoiding back-and-forth, last-minute surprises, and unnecessary bottlenecks.
The result is that when the right property comes along, you're already organised, informed, and ready to act. Not scrambling to catch up.
Being self-employed or running your own business should never be a barrier to building your property portfolio or securing the finance you need. Traditional lenders often apply a one-size-fits-all approach that puts self-employed applicants at an unfair disadvantage. At FinancePath, we work with self-employed borrowers and business owners every day. We know which lenders genuinely understand variable income, what documentation they require, and how to present your application in the strongest possible way. Whether you are using business financials, tax returns, or business activity statements, we help you put your best foot forward. Some lenders actively specialise in self-employed borrowers and offer more flexible criteria, and our job is to connect you with the right one while making sure you are getting a competitive deal.