Monthly Cash-back
100% of our trailing commission will be credited to your loan every month*, reducing your effective investment mortgage rate over time.
* for loans settled through our aggregator Finsure.
Compare expat mortgage rates from 45+ lenders.
Mates Rates Mortgage Brokers has been helping Australians living overseas and overseas nationals buying property in Australia since 2005. As an Australian expat mortgage broker, we compare expat home loans from 45+ lenders, handle the complexity of foreign income assessment and FIRB requirements, and credit 100% of our trailing commissions back to your loan as monthly cash back. Same rates as the lender. No broker fees. A mate on the ground when you need one most.
$14M+
Cash-back paid to borrowers
45+
Lenders compared
Since 2005
Australia’s original & best cash-back broker
Australian lending rules for expats and foreign nationals are determined by your visa status, residency arrangements, and in some cases, approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). The general framework is as follows.
| Borrower situation | Maximum LVR | Key conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Australian citizen or permanent resident living overseas | Up to 95% | Standard lending criteria apply. Some lenders require return plans. |
| Temporary visa holder working in Australia for 12+ months | Up to 80% | Must be permitted to work in Australia. Foreign income restrictions may apply. |
| Temporary visa holder on a longer-term visa with a stable income | Up to 90% | Good income and a stable employment contract are required. |
| Spousal relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident | Up to 95% | Applies regardless of visa type. Joint tenancy purchase. |
| Foreign national purchasing as investment (FIRB required) | Up to 70-80% | New property or vacant land only. FIRB approval and Foreign Citizen Stamp Duty apply. |
The final decision on borrowing capacity rests with the lender. A Mates Rates broker will assess your specific eligibility before recommending any lender.
UK citizens are among the most common expat borrowers we assist. If you are relocating to Australia or have recently arrived, the rules that apply to you will depend on your visa status.
As a temporary visa holder, you can borrow up to 80% of the property value, provided you are permitted to work in Australia for at least 12 months. On a longer-term visa with stable employment, you may be able to borrow up to 90%. If you are in a spousal relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident and purchasing as joint tenants, you may borrow up to 95% of the purchase price, regardless of your visa type.
Lenders applying to UK citizens will typically ask for a higher deposit than to Australian residents, impose restrictions on using foreign income to service the loan, and generally apply tighter credit criteria. Mates Rates works across the lenders who specialise in this type of lending to find the most competitive terms available for your situation.
100% of our trailing commission will be credited to your loan every month*, reducing your effective investment mortgage rate over time.
* for loans settled through our aggregator Finsure.
Our fee comes from the lender’s upfront commission. You pay nothing extra for our broking service.
Our Lender Commission Leveller ensures no lender is excluded. You always get the most competitive investment loan rate available.
You receive the same interest rate you would get by going directly to the bank, plus monthly cash back.
Our brokers understand the complexity of SMSF lending and investment loans and guide you through every step at no cost.
We search across banks and non-bank lenders, including those that specialise in SMSF and investment lending.
From first enquiry to settlement, a Mates Rates broker manages every step on your behalf, including remotely from anywhere in the world.
1
We assess your eligibility, visa status, income type, and borrowing capacity. We will tell you upfront whether you qualify and what lenders are likely to approve your application.
2
We compare Australian expat home loan rates across 45+ lenders, factoring in foreign income criteria, FIRB requirements if applicable, and the monthly Mates Rates cash-back credit.
3
We prepare and lodge your application, coordinate the valuation, handle all lender communication, and manage the process through to formal approval. All of this can be done remotely.
4
Your loan settles and your monthly cash-back credits begin, reducing the effective cost of your Australian expat home loan from day one.
We arrange cash-back expat home loans across every major loan type available in Australia:
Yes. Australian citizens and permanent residents living overseas can apply for a home loan in Australia through an Australian expat mortgage broker. Lenders will assess your foreign income, employment type, and the currency you are paid in. Not all lenders accept all foreign income types, which is why working with a broker who specialises in expat lending is important. Mates Rates compares lenders across all 45+ on our panel to find those with the most flexible expat criteria.
The Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) is the Australian government body that regulates foreign purchases of residential property. If you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident and are not in a joint purchase with one, you will need FIRB approval before buying property in Australia. FIRB approval generally restricts foreign nationals to purchasing new properties or vacant land, not established dwellings. There is an application fee, and additional stamp duty charges apply in most states.
Some lenders apply a rate premium to expat loans, particularly where foreign income is involved or where the LVR is higher. However, many lenders on our panel offer the same competitive rates to expats as they do to Australian residents. With the Mates Rates monthly cash-back credit on top, your effective rate is lower than what any lender would offer you directly, regardless of whether you are an expat or a domestic borrower.
Lenders vary significantly in the types of foreign income they accept. Most will consider income paid in major currencies such as GBP, USD, EUR, SGD, and HKD, but the acceptable percentage of that income can differ. Self-employed expat income, contractor income, and income from certain countries may require additional documentation. A Mates Rates broker will match your income type to the lenders most likely to approve your application at the best available rate.
Yes. Mates Rates Mortgage Brokers works with Australian expats and overseas nationals remotely. The entire process from initial consultation through to settlement can be managed without you needing to be in Australia. We handle all communication with lenders, coordinate the valuation, and manage the application process on your behalf. International callers can reach us on +61 2 4350 0900.
Exactly the same as it does for every other Mates Rates borrower. Once your expat home loan settles, 100% of the lender’s trailing commission, paid to us through our aggregator Finsure, is credited to your loan account each month for the life of the loan. You receive the same interest rate you would get by going directly to the lender, plus a monthly cash-back credit, at no extra cost to you. This can amount to a reduction in your effective rate of up to 0.25% per annum.
Book a free consultation with a Mates Rates broker to discuss your expat home loan options. We handle the research, comparison, and application at no cost to you, and you earn cash back every month for the life of your loan. International callers: +61 2 4350 0900.
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