Buying property in Australia as a non-resident is possible. Identifying a lender who will consider your application is often the most challenging part.
The lender pool is smaller, deposits are higher, and FIRB adds complexity that varies by nationality and state.
Approaching the wrong lender first can delay the process and complicate subsequent applications.
Not an Australian citizen or permanent resident? This page is for you. If you hold Australian citizenship or PR and are living abroad, see our Expat Lending page at https://keychoicelending.com.au/landing/expat-lending/
We work with a limited number of new clients at a time. Complete the questions below and we’ll offer you available meeting times.Non-resident lending in Australia is heavily restricted. Many major banks have significantly reduced or removed their appetite for non-resident borrowers. The lenders who do operate in this space have strict criteria around nationality, visa type, income currency, and deposit size.
FIRB approval is required in most cases — and the interaction between FIRB requirements, lender policy, and stamp duty surcharges varies by state and by individual circumstances.
Clients engage Key Choice Lending to identify the lenders who will consider their application, structure it correctly, and manage the process through to settlement.
Non-resident lending is not about finding a lender who accepts non-residents. It is about finding the right lender for your specific nationality, visa, income, and deposit.
A lender who accepts applications from Singapore-based borrowers with SGD income may not accept applications from UAE-based borrowers with AED income. A lender who accepts a 20% deposit from one nationality may require 30% from another. These distinctions are not published — they are known from experience.
This is why the lender selection happens first.
What We Do
Before we approach a single lender, we establish:
- Your nationality and visa or residency status.
- Your country of residence and income currency.
- Your FIRB approval status or eligibility.
- Your deposit position and available funds.
- Your property objective and timeline.
Only then do we identify which lenders will consider your application — and on what terms.
The CARE Framework
How We Work With Non-Resident Clients
A four-step process refined over 3,000+ client engagements.
Clarify
Understand your position and goals
We establish your full picture — nationality, residency, income, visa, deposit, and objectives — before making any recommendations. Every variable affects lender eligibility.
Advise
Design the right lending strategy
We eliminate lenders who won't consider your application before identifying those who will. We assess policy, deposit requirements, income treatment, and pricing only after narrowing to lenders whose criteria match your specific circumstances — across our panel of 70+ lenders including the non-bank specialists who remain active in this space.
Execute
Secure the right structure and outcome
We manage the entire process remotely — from FIRB guidance through to application, approval, and settlement. We coordinate Power of Attorney, embassy certification, and documentation requirements where needed. The complexity stays with us. The clarity sits with you.
Review
Protecting and growing what you have
We monitor your lending rates and submit pricing requests on your behalf. As your residency status, visa, or investment position changes, we stay close to your circumstances and ensure your lending continues to reflect your current situation.
This engagement is for you if:
- You are a foreign citizen — not an Australian citizen or permanent resident — looking to purchase property in Australia
- You have or are in the process of obtaining FIRB approval
- You have a sufficient deposit — typically 20–30% depending on your nationality and the lender
- You are prepared to provide full income documentation, bank statements, and certified identification
This engagement is not suitable if:
- You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident living overseas — see our Expat Lending page athttps://keychoicelending.com.au/landing/expat-lending/
- You do not have FIRB approval and are not eligible to apply
- You are not prepared to meet the deposit requirements for non-resident lending
- You are looking for residential loan terms or LVRs that apply to Australian residents
If this aligns with your situation, you can apply below.
Matthew Clark
Founder & Head of Client Strategy
Dip. Fin. Services (Mortgage Broking) | Dip. Prop. (Agency Mgmt) | QPIA | Amazon Bestselling Author x2
Credit Representative Number 508009 | Australian Credit Licence 538623
$1B+ in lending facilitated since 2001 | 70+ lenders | 3,000+ clients supported
Key Choice Lending — Winner Better Business Awards 2024, Finalist 2025 & 2026