Living overseas or earning income from another country does not have to stop you from owning property in Australia. Whether you are an Australian citizen working abroad, a temporary visa holder, or a non-resident looking to invest, there are home loan options available to you. At No Deposit Loans, we work with clients across Australia and around the world to help them understand what is possible when it comes to expat home loans.
Expat home loans are a specialised area of lending. Lenders assess these applications differently to standard home loans, and the rules can vary significantly depending on your visa status, the currency your income is paid in, and whether you are buying to live in or to invest. That is why it matters to work with a mortgage broker who understands how these loans are structured and which lenders are open to expat borrowers.
Who Can Apply for Expat Home Loans
Expat home loans are not limited to one type of borrower. Australian citizens and permanent residents living overseas can often borrow to buy property back home, though lenders may apply stricter conditions around income verification and loan-to-value ratios. Temporary visa holders may also be eligible, depending on the visa type and the lender's policies. Non-residents and foreign nationals face additional requirements, including approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board in many cases.
No Deposit Loans works with borrowers across all of these situations. We help you understand which category you fall into and what that means for your borrowing options before you commit to anything.
Income in a Foreign Currency
One of the most common challenges with expat home loans is how lenders treat foreign income. Most lenders apply a discount to income earned in a foreign currency to account for exchange rate risk. The discount varies by lender and by currency, and it can have a real impact on how much you are able to borrow. Some lenders are more accommodating than others when it comes to expat home loans with foreign income, and knowing which ones to approach can make a significant difference to your outcome.
At No Deposit Loans, we take the time to understand your income structure before recommending a lender. Whether you are paid in US dollars, British pounds, Singapore dollars, or another currency, we look at which lenders will assess your income most favourably within their responsible lending obligations.
Buying to Live In or to Invest
Expats buying Australian property generally fall into two groups: those who intend to return and live in the property, and those who want to hold it as an investment. Both are possible, but the lending conditions can differ. Expat investment property loans often have different loan-to-value ratio limits compared to owner-occupied purchases, and lenders may require a larger deposit from borrowers living overseas.
If you are buying property in Australia while living overseas, there are also practical considerations around signing documents, arranging inspections, and managing settlement from a distance. No Deposit Loans can help you understand what is involved so you are prepared.
FIRB and Foreign Investment Rules
If you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may need approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board before purchasing property in Australia. FIRB approval home loans involve an additional layer of compliance, and the type of property you can buy may be restricted depending on your residency status. We help clients understand whether FIRB approval applies to their situation and what it means for their purchase.
Explore the Pages Below
This page is your starting point. The pages linked throughout this section go deeper into each specific situation, from non-resident home loans to expat home loans on a temporary visa and foreign income home loans. Each page covers the key considerations for that borrower type so you can find the information most relevant to your circumstances.
No Deposit Loans is here to help you work through the details of expat home loans with clarity and confidence. Reach out to our team to talk through your situation.
Our Services
Explore the key areas of expat home lending and find the page that matches your situation.

Australians living and working overseas can still purchase property back home, though lenders apply specific conditions around income verification, deposit requirements, and loan-to-value ratios for borrowers based abroad.
Explore Buying Property in Australia While Living Overseas
If you hold a temporary visa and want to buy property in Australia, there are lenders who will consider your application. Eligibility depends on your visa type, your income, and how long you have remaining on your visa.
Explore Expat Home Loans on Temporary Visa
Earning income in a foreign currency affects how lenders assess your borrowing capacity. Lenders typically apply a currency discount to foreign income, and the rates vary, so choosing the right lender matters.
Explore Expat Home Loans with Foreign Income
Expats looking to build a property portfolio in Australia can access investment loans, though deposit requirements and loan-to-value ratio limits may differ from those applied to owner-occupied purchases.
Explore Expat Investment Property Loans
Non-residents and some foreign nationals are required to seek approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board before purchasing Australian property. The type of property eligible for purchase may also be restricted.
Explore FIRB Approval Home Loans
If you earn income from overseas sources, whether through employment, a business, or rental income, lenders assess that income differently to Australian earnings. Understanding how your income is treated is an important part of the borrowing process.
Explore Foreign Income Home Loans
Non-residents who want to purchase property in Australia face a different set of lending conditions compared to citizens and permanent residents. Loan-to-value ratios are often lower and lender options more limited, making specialist guidance important.
Explore Non-Resident Home LoansWhat Our Clients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, our services as a mortgage broker do not cost you anything directly. Like most mortgage brokers in Australia, we are typically paid a commission by the lender when a loan settles. This means you can access our knowledge, support, and access to multiple lenders without paying out of pocket for our time. We are required by law to act in your best interests under the Best Interests Duty, which is part of Australia's responsible lending framework. We will always be transparent about how we are paid and any potential commissions involved so you have a full understanding before making any decisions. If you have questions about costs at any point, just ask us and we will give you a straight answer.
Yes, there are a number of Australian Government initiatives that may help eligible buyers purchase a home with a smaller deposit. For example, the First Home Guarantee scheme allows eligible first home buyers to purchase a property with as little as a 5% deposit without needing to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance, because the government acts as a guarantor for the remaining portion. There are also state-based grants and concessions that may be available depending on where you are buying and whether you are a first home buyer. Eligibility criteria apply to all of these schemes and they are subject to change, so it is important to get up-to-date information. At No Deposit Loans, we stay across these programs and can help you understand whether you may qualify.
Yes, self-employed people can apply for a home loan, including options that may not require a traditional deposit. However, the application process for self-employed borrowers can be a little more involved because income can be harder to verify compared to someone who receives a regular payslip. Lenders will typically want to see at least one to two years of tax returns, business financial statements, and other supporting documents to get a clear picture of your income and financial stability. At No Deposit Loans, we have experience working with self-employed clients across Australia and understand the unique challenges that can come with proving income. We will help you put together the strongest possible application based on your circumstances.
While the exact documents required can vary depending on your situation and the lender, there are some common items that most lenders will ask for. These typically include proof of identity such as a passport or driver's licence, proof of income such as recent payslips or tax returns if you are self-employed, bank statements showing your savings and spending history, details of any existing debts or financial commitments, and information about the property you are looking to purchase. If you are applying with a guarantor, there will be additional documentation required from them as well. At No Deposit Loans, we provide you with a clear checklist upfront so you know exactly what to prepare and nothing comes as a surprise.
The timeline for a home loan application can vary depending on a number of factors, including the complexity of your financial situation, the lender involved, and how quickly all required documents can be gathered and submitted. In general, once we have everything we need from you, we aim to move things along as efficiently as possible. Pre-approval can sometimes be obtained within a few business days, while full formal approval may take longer depending on the lender's assessment process. At No Deposit Loans, we keep you informed at every stage so you always know where things are at and what to expect next. We are here to help keep things moving and answer any questions along the way.
When you go directly to a bank, you are only seeing what that one lender has to offer. As a finance and mortgage broker, No Deposit Loans works with a panel of lenders, which means we can look across multiple options to find something that suits your specific needs and circumstances. We do the legwork of researching, comparing, and presenting options to you in plain language so you can make a well-informed choice. We also handle much of the paperwork and communication with lenders on your behalf, which can save you a significant amount of time and effort. Our goal is to be a trusted partner throughout the process, not just a transaction.
Lenders Mortgage Insurance, commonly known as LMI, is a type of insurance that protects the lender, not the borrower, if a loan is not repaid. It is typically required when a borrower has less than a 20% deposit. LMI can be a significant upfront cost, and in some cases it can be added to the loan amount rather than paid as a lump sum, though this means you pay interest on it over the life of the loan. Whether or not LMI applies to your situation will depend on the type of loan you are applying for and the lender involved. At No Deposit Loans, we explain all potential costs clearly so you can make an informed decision about what works for you.
Not always, but a guarantor arrangement is one of the most common ways people access a home loan without a traditional deposit. A guarantor is usually a close family member, such as a parent, who agrees to use the equity in their own property as additional security for your loan. This reduces the risk for the lender, which can make it possible to borrow without a deposit saved. There are other pathways that may be available depending on your circumstances, and our team at No Deposit Loans will walk you through what those might look like for you. We believe in making sure both you and any potential guarantor fully understand the responsibilities involved before moving forward.
No deposit home loans are not a one-size-fits-all product, and eligibility will depend on a number of factors specific to your situation. Generally speaking, applicants who may be considered include first home buyers who have not yet had the opportunity to save a full deposit, people who have a family member willing to act as a guarantor, or those who have equity in another property they can use. Lenders will look at things like your income, employment history, credit history, and overall financial position when assessing any application. At No Deposit Loans, we help you understand where you stand before you apply, so you go into the process with a clear picture of your options.
A no deposit home loan is a type of home loan that allows you to borrow without needing to save a traditional deposit, which is typically 20% of the property purchase price. Instead of using your own savings as a deposit, these loans often rely on alternative forms of security or support, such as a guarantor arrangement where a family member uses equity in their own property to help secure your loan. At No Deposit Loans, we work with a range of lenders across Australia to help you understand what options may be available to you based on your individual circumstances. Every situation is different, so we take the time to understand yours before exploring what might be possible.
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Stay informed with the latest insights on expat home loans, foreign income lending, and buying Australian property from overseas. Our articles cover the topics that matter most to expat borrowers.