No foreignbuyer surcharge
Eligible forFHB schemes
Yes Permanent residents can buy property in Australia on almost the same terms as citizens. Living in Australia as a permanent resident, you can:
Other permanent residents typically need a 10% to 20% deposit depending on the lender.
Eligible permanent residents can buy a first home with a 5% deposit and pay no Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Under the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (administered by Housing Australia), permanent residents living in Australia can enter the market sooner with a smaller deposit:
How your deposit maps to your loan as a permanent resident living in Australia:
| Deposit | LVR | LMI | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | 95% | None | Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, LMI government-covered. For eligible first home buyers (all borrowers citizen or PR) |
| 10% | 90% | Applies | Standard deposit. Full lender panel, outside the scheme |
| 20%+ | 80% | None | Widest lender choice, competitive rates |
The scheme only runs through participating lenders, and each bank calculates borrowing capacity differently. If you plan to buy in the next 6 to 12 months, MAP Home Loans can match your application to the most suitable participating lender on our panel.
Worked exampleOn an $800,000 home
On an $800,000 home, a 5% deposit is $40,000 versus $160,000 for a 20% deposit (plus purchase costs).
For many buyers, that gap is the difference between buying this year and waiting five years.
See which deposit fits your situation: book a Free Lending Assessment
Living overseas as a permanent resident? Through our Australian expat home loans panel, you can borrow up to 95% LVR for an owner-occupied home, or up to 80% LVR for an investment.
Yes, permanent residents access the same interest rates as Australian citizens. Unlike solo temporary visa holders, who often face rate loadings or a restricted lender list, permanent residents are assessed as domestic borrowers by most lenders:
Even with the full market open, banks still differ sharply on how they assess recent arrivals, overseas deposit transfers, and mixed-visa couples. We compare 31+ lenders to match your situation to a competitive loan before you apply.
Lenders assess permanent residents against the same criteria as citizens, though policies vary by bank:
Income and employment
Stable pay-as-you-go (PAYG) or self-employed income. Most lenders prefer at least 6 months in your current role, though criteria vary.
Deposit and savings
A 5% deposit under the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, or 10% to 20% otherwise. Deposits can come from genuine savings, documented overseas transfers, family gifts, or property equity.
Credit history
A clean Australian credit file. If your Australian credit history is thin, some lenders accept an overseas credit reference.
Living expenses
Lenders compare your declared expenses against household benchmarks to calculate loan serviceability.
Existing debts
Credit card limits, car loans, HECS-HELP, and personal loans reduce your borrowing capacity. Lowering card limits or paying down debts before applying can increase your limit.
Book a Free Lending Assessment and we’ll calculate your borrowing capacity and loan serviceability figures across 31+ lenders.
“Getting a pre-approval was the key to being able to buy the house we never thought we could afford. You’d never think a mortgage broker could be so instrumental in getting a great property deal, but now we know better!”
Yes, permanent residents qualify in most states and territories on the same terms as citizens. Eligible first home buyers can claim the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) on a new home.
$10,000 to $50,000
Most states
Grant. Amounts range from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on the state and the price cap (as at October 2026). The ACT has no cash grant but offers stamp duty concessions for eligible first home buyers.
Concessions. Most states also offer stamp duty exemptions or concessions for first home buyers on new and established homes. These stack with the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, so you can combine a 5% deposit, no LMI, and a grant or duty saving.
Whether a grant or concession applies depends on your state, whether the home is new, and how the purchase is structured.
We check your grant and stamp duty position across state rules as part of your assessment.
Step 1: Free Lending Assessment
Ends with a clear GO or NOT YET.
You pay MAP Home Loans no fee. The lender pays us a commission when your loan settles.
Book a Free Lending AssessmentAfter your assessment
Match
Compare your situation across 31+ lenders via our VSL Matrix™ (Visa x Situation x Lender)
Apply
Lodge where you’re most likely to be approved
Pre-approval in as little as 7 days
Purchase
Buy from a verified finance position
Settlement
Your loan settles and the home is yours
Reached back out that very weekend to let my broker know we found a place we really liked and he arranged everything required to start an application in less than a week. Pre-approval came through with no issues and we were able to make an offer, which we got!
I am an Australian PR holder, working in a Gulf country and after reading online reviews of MAP Home Loans, I approached them as a last resort.
It was my first time entering the mortgage market and MAP Home Loans made the whole process very simple.
After being told by several mortgage brokers that we would be classed as high risk due to my partner not yet being a permanent resident, we were nearly ready to give up! Then I came across this website and contacted MAP Home Loans!
No. Australian permanent residents are generally exempt from FIRB approval and its application fees (though a permanent resident not ordinarily resident in Australia may be treated as a foreign person in some circumstances).
Yes. The established-dwelling ban currently in place applies to foreign persons, such as temporary visa holders who need FIRB approval. It does not apply to permanent residents. As a permanent resident, you can buy an established or new property anywhere in Australia.
Yes, in many cases. Eligible first home buyers can use the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme with a 5% deposit and no LMI, provided every borrower on the loan is an Australian citizen or permanent resident (18+).
Yes, in most states and territories. You qualify on the same terms as a citizen. Amounts and price caps vary by state, so we confirm what applies to your purchase.
Usually, yes. A clean Australian credit file helps, but if your credit history in Australia is thin, some lenders accept an overseas credit reference. We match you to a lender that fits your situation.
Book a 15 to 30 minute chat for a clear GO or NOT YET and fast approval at a competitive rate, even without a 20% deposit.
You pay MAP Home Loans no fee. The lender pays us a commission when your loan settles.
You leave the call with one of two answers
GOA viable pathway, and we explain the next step.
NOT YETWe say what needs to change before you apply.
Written & reviewed byCraig Vaughan, Director & Mortgage Broker
MFAA 47419Credit Representative 376082Last reviewed
Authorised under LMG (ACL 517192). AFCA member 121620.
