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Hundreds of thousands of international students live in Australia at any time, most on a subclass 500 Student visa, and plenty would rather build equity than pay rent. So can you buy a home on a student visa? Yes, technically. But on a student visa alone it is a narrow and pricier path, and for most students the smarter route is buying with an Australian or permanent resident partner.
Here is the honest version of both, and what each one costs. This guide covers:
- whether a student visa holder can actually get a home loan
- the partner route that reopens established homes
- the deposit, income and FIRB rules that apply
- what changes after study, and at permanent residency
Can you get a home loan on a student visa?
Most banks will not lend to an international student. They treat it as too risky, the worry being that you leave the country with the loan unpaid, which leaves the lender selling the property to recover its money. A small number of lenders will consider it, but only against strict criteria and usually a larger deposit.
So the honest answer is yes, but on a student visa on your own you are looking at a tighter panel of lenders, a deposit around 20%, and, under the current foreign-buyer rules, new dwellings only. It works for the right buyer. For many students, though, the next section is the better path.
The smarter path: buying with an Australian partner
If your spouse or partner is an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen, buying together as joint tenants changes everything. Your purchase is exempt from FIRB approval and its fees, the ban on established dwellings does not apply, so established homes are back on the table, and with the right lender you can borrow up to around 95% of the price.
This is the route that turns a hard “maybe” into a straightforward yes, and it is where the strongest borrowing sits. If it applies to you, our partner visa home loans page covers how lenders treat it.
How much deposit you’ll need
Your deposit turns on whether you buy alone or with an eligible partner.
| Your situation | Typical maximum loan | Indicative deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Solo, on a student visa | Around 80% LVR | Around 20% |
| Buying with an Australian / PR / NZ-citizen partner | Up to ~95% LVR | From around 5% |
Gifted funds from family are generally fine, even from an overseas account, as long as the money sits in an Australian bank account before approval. If you are on a temporary visa more broadly, our temporary resident home loans guide goes deeper on deposits by visa type.
What lenders require on a student visa
For the lenders who will consider a student visa holder, approval usually comes down to:
- Stable employment, often around 12 months in your current role, though exceptions are made.
- Enough income to service the loan. Your earnings need to clearly cover the repayments.
- A clean credit record, free of defaults. This is rarely an issue, since credit is hard to build here without permanent residency.
- A 20% deposit plus costs, with any gifted funds traceable and already in an Australian account.
FIRB and what you can buy
A student visa holder is a temporary resident, which makes you a “foreign person” under the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) rules. On your own that means:
- you need FIRB approval and its fee
- under the rules currently in place, you can buy a new or near-new dwelling, or vacant land to build on, but not an established one
The ban on foreign persons buying established dwellings is currently in place and has been extended further this decade, so it is not something to wait out. New builds are still a genuine option, and often come with builder warranties and, in some states, stamp duty concessions. Buying with an eligible partner as joint tenants removes all of this. Our FIRB approvals guide walks through the detail.
After your studies: 485 and PR
Many students move to a subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa after finishing, which opens up more borrowing options, and a later move to a 482 skilled visa or permanent residency improves them again. Buying while you study can put you ahead, building equity as your visa pathway progresses.
How MAP helps student visa holders
We specialise in home loans for Australian visa holders, and student visa applications are exactly the kind of case a general broker gets wrong. Our process spells our name. Match your visa and situation to the lenders most likely to approve, using the VSL Matrix™ (Visa × Situation × Lender). Apply once, with the strongest case, to the right lender. Purchase the home. Our service costs you nothing, because we are paid by the lender, not by you.
Frequently asked questions
Can international students get a home loan in Australia?
Yes, but on a student visa alone only a small number of lenders will consider it, usually with a deposit around 20% and, under current rules, for new dwellings only. Buying with an Australian, permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen partner is a much stronger path.
How much deposit does a student visa holder need?
Buying solo on a student visa, expect around 20% (about 80% LVR). Buying with an eligible partner as joint tenants, as little as around 5% can be enough with the right lender.
Can I buy with my Australian partner while on a student visa?
Yes, and it is usually the best option. Buying as joint tenants with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen partner makes the purchase FIRB-exempt, puts established homes back in reach, and can reach around 95% LVR.
Do student visa holders need FIRB approval?
On your own, generally yes, plus the FIRB fee, and you can buy new dwellings only while the ban on established dwellings is in place. Buying with an eligible Australian partner as joint tenants is exempt from FIRB approval and its fee.
What happens to the loan when my student visa ends?
The loan continues as normal as long as you keep meeting the repayments. Moving onto a 485 graduate visa, a skilled visa, or permanent residency generally improves your options if you want to refinance or borrow again.
This article is general information, not personal credit, tax, or migration advice. Lender policies, FIRB rules, and visa requirements change; confirm your situation with MAP Home Loans and the relevant authority before you act.
