Written by

Steven Lee

Mortgage Director, ODIN Mortgage & Tax

10+ years in Australian banking and mortgage lending

Last reviewed

Updated on: June 10, 2026 View profile →

Home Loan Professional Package for Australian Expats

As one of the one million-plus Aussies living abroad, owning property back home remains a powerful goal — but choosing the right loan structure can make or break your strategy.

With Australian home loan rates averaging 6.42% and premium “pro packages” charging annual fees of up to $395, it’s worth asking: are you really getting value for money?

This guide cuts through the marketing spin. You’ll learn what home loan professional packages actually include, what their discounts really mean, and how they differ for expat borrowers.

We break down eligibility rules, major bank comparisons, and the key pros and cons — so you can decide if a pro package is a smart investment or an expensive illusion.

What Is a Home Loan Professional Package?

A professional package home loan offers a simple way to bundle your finances. You get interest rate discounts and fee waivers for one annual fee.

This bundling can make managing your money easier, especially from overseas.

Benefits of Home Loan Professional Packages

Think of a professional package like bundling your internet and phone services. You get a better deal by combining multiple products with one provider.

This strategy helps banks increase customer ‘stickiness’, making it harder for you to switch lenders.

A home loan professional package typically wraps several products into one. The goal is to consolidate your banking relationship.

A standard package often includes:

A Home Loan: This can be a variable rate, fixed rate, or a split loan combining both.
A Transaction Account: This is an everyday bank account to manage your money.
A Credit Card: The package often includes a credit card with no annual fee. This is a great perk when you visit Australia.
An Offset Account: Most packages come with a 100% offset account. This powerful tool helps you reduce your interest payments significantly.

Big Discounts and Waived Fees

The main reason to choose a professional package is the financial savings.

These benefits come in two main forms: interest discounts and fee waivers. This can save you a lot of money over time.

Lenders offer big discounts on their advertised interest rates. These discounts get bigger with larger loan amounts.

For variable rates, discounts can be between 0.50% to 1.10% below the standard rate. If your loan is over $750,000, you might get an even better negotiated discount.

The package also combines many individual fees into one yearly charge. This means you can avoid paying for loan applications, monthly account keeping, and extra features like loan splits or additional valuations.

👉 Check out our 72-hour approval guide for overseas Aussies: Apply for an Australian Expat Mortgage

Home Loan Professional Package Annual Fee

For most professional package home loans, there’s a single annual fee of usually $300 to $400. This keeps them active and covers all the included perks.

Some premium or private banking packages can cost up to $750 per year.

For example, both the Commonwealth Bank’s Wealth Package and Westpac’s Premier Advantage Package have an annual fee of $395.

You need to ensure the savings you make from discounts and waivers are more than this annual fee.

Are You Eligible for a Professional Package Mortgage?

You don’t necessarily need to be a doctor or lawyer to get a professional package.

Today, eligibility is mostly about your loan size, not your job title. This makes these packages accessible to more people.

The name ‘Professional Package’ is a marketing term from the past. Banks first created them to attract high-value customers in specific professions.

However, the banking world has changed. Now, your profession is largely irrelevant for accessing the package itself.

The main requirement is the size of your home loan. Most lenders require a minimum loan amount between $150,000 and $250,000 to qualify.

So, the professional package is really a large loan package. It rewards high-value borrowers, who are now defined by how much they borrow.

Understanding this helps you see past the confusing name. You can then evaluate the product based on what it really is: a bundle of discounts in exchange for a large loan.

While your job might not get you the package, it could unlock other big benefits. Some professions can get Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) waived. This is a huge cost-saving measure we will explore later.

👉 Also see the Different Types of Home Loans in Australia.

Unlocking a Professional Package from Overseas

Getting a professional package as an Aussie expat is a two-step process.

First, you must meet the bank’s standard package criteria. Second, you must pass the tough assessment for non-resident borrowers.

This second is often much harder for expats. Lenders are more cautious with applicants earning foreign income. You’ll need to be prepared for extra scrutiny and documentation requirements.

Let’s explore the first step.

This first stage is quite simple. The requirements are similar for both domestic and expat borrowers. You just need to meet the lender’s basic criteria for the package.

The key hurdles are:

Minimum Loan Amount: Lenders need you to borrow a certain amount. This is usually at least $150,000 or $250,000.
Bundled Products: You must agree to take the other products in the bundle. This nearly always includes opening a transaction account with the lender.
Minimum Deposit: The package itself does not have a deposit rule. However, the home loan does, and the rules are stricter for expats.

The next section explores the second step.

Passing the Lender's Expat Assessment

Lenders view expat applications as higher risk. They will closely examine your citizenship, income, deposit, and documentation.

Your application needs to be strong in several areas. Lenders apply many layers of scrutiny.

Being an Australian citizen or permanent resident is the first step. After that, your foreign income and deposit size are the most critical factors.

Your Citizenship Status

You must be an Australian citizen to apply. You can also apply if you have Australian Permanent Residency.

This is a baseline requirement for almost every lender offering home loans to Aussies living overseas.

Meeting this is the first non-negotiable step in the process.

The Foreign Income Hurdle (Shading & Currencies)

Your foreign income is the biggest challenge. Lenders are cautious with money earned in other currencies.

They have lists of acceptable currencies, often grouped into tiers.

Tier 1 currencies like USD, GBP, EUR, and SGD are preferred.
Tier 2 currencies from places like the Middle East or other parts of Asia may be accepted.

However, they often come with stricter lending conditions. Lenders also ‘shade’ your income to protect against currency swings.

This means they will only use a percentage of your gross income, such as 80% for Tier 1 currencies or 60% for Tier 2.

Many lenders also apply Australian tax rates to your foreign income, which can slash your borrowing power, especially if you live in a low-tax country.

👉 Learn more: Lenders Who Accept Foreign Income in Australia

Higher LVR for Expats

You’ll need a larger deposit as an expat. While an Aussie living at home might get a loan with a 5% deposit, this is very rare for an expat.

The standard requirement is a deposit of at least 20%, which is an 80% Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR).

Some conservative lenders may even cap the LVR at 70%. This means you would need a 30% deposit.

While getting a 90% or 95% LVR loan is sometimes possible, it is usually only for those earning in Tier 1 currencies and often requires paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

👉 Also see: Should You Save a Larger Deposit for Your Australian Home?

Required Documentation

Get ready for more paperwork. Expats must provide much more documentation than domestic borrowers.

This is to verify your identity, employment, and financial standing from afar.

You typically need:

Certified proof of identity (like your passport and residence visa).
A detailed employment contract.
Recent payslips and bank statements showing your salary.
At least two years of financial statements and tax returns if you are self-employed.
Certified translations for any documents not in English.

👉 Check out: Mortgage Documents Required in Australia for Non-Residents

AU Expats—Overwhelmed by Lender Expat Assessment?

Major Bank Professional Packages Comparison

There is a clear split in strategy among the Big Four banks.

CBA and Westpac still offer traditional packages. ANZ and NAB have moved to a more flexible, unbundled model.

This shift means you can no longer just compare four similar home loan professional packages. Your choice is now between two classic bundles and two very different service models.

Here is a summary of the home loan professional package approaches of the major banks.

Lender	Package Name / Current Approach	Annual Fee	Key Expat LVR Cap	Notes / Alternative for High-Value Expats
CBA	Wealth Package	$395	~70%	Still active but has a restrictive LVR cap and other limitations for expats.
Westpac	Premier Advantage Package	$395	Ambiguous / Potentially Excluded	Official terms state lending is not available to non-residents, creating a major red flag.
NAB	Discontinued	N/A	~80%	No new packages. Offers negotiated rates and bespoke solutions via NAB Private Wealth for HNW customers.
ANZ	Discontinued	N/A	~80%	No new packages. ‘À la carte’ model with optional features. Tailored solutions via ANZ Private for HNW customers.

Note: The information here is a snapshot as of July 2025 and is subject to change.

Commonwealth Bank (CBA) Wealth Package

CBA’s Wealth Package is still available. It has a $395 annual fee and requires a minimum loan of $150,000.

The package offers interest rate discounts and fee waivers. However, CBA’s policies for expats can be a major hurdle.

They typically cap the Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) at a low 70%. This means you would need a 30% deposit.

They also tend to only offer investment loans to expats and apply Australian tax rates to foreign income, which can limit your borrowing capacity.

Westpac Premier Advantage Package

Westpac also continues to offer its Premier Advantage Package. This package has a $395 annual fee with a minimum loan of $150,000.

It bundles a home loan with a transaction account, rate discounts, and fee waivers.

The main concern for expats is Westpac’s official policy. The fine print on their website states that lending is not available for non-Australian residents.

This creates significant confusion and risk. While there may be niche exceptions, it appears to be a difficult path for most expats.

NAB & ANZ: The Shift Away from Packages

Both NAB and ANZ have discontinued their old package deals.

NAB’s Choice Package ended for new customers in August 2023. ANZ’s Breakfree Package was discontinued in September 2022.

These banks now favour a more flexible approach. They offer key features like 100% offset accounts without a package fee.

They focus on negotiating tailored rates for large loans and providing bespoke solutions for high-net-worth customers through their private wealth divisions.

Both lenders are generally considered expat-friendly. They often consider loans up to 80% LVR and accept a wide range of foreign currencies.

Pros and Cons of a Professional Package for Expats

A mortgage professional package needs a careful cost-benefit analysis. You need to weigh the significant savings against the potential risks.

The right choice depends on your specific financial situation as an Aussie living abroad.

The Advantages: Why It Might Be a Good Deal

A good rate discount can save you tens of thousands over the loan’s life. For a high-earning expat with a large mortgage, this is a huge win.

A professional package also simplifies your banking. Managing money from overseas can be tricky.

This bundle gives you a streamlined Australian banking setup, including a credit card and a central transaction account for property expenses.

The included 100% offset account is another major plus. It lets you use your savings to reduce your loan interest while keeping your cash fully accessible.

The Risks: What to Watch Out For

The annual fee is a key consideration. The package is only worth it if your savings exceed the annual fee.

For smaller loans, a basic, no-fee home loan might be more cost-effective.

The lending market for expats is already limited. Insisting on a package can narrow your options even further.

You also face currency fluctuation risk. If the Aussie dollar strengthens, your loan repayments will cost you more in your foreign currency.

Finally, the bundled nature of the package can create ‘golden handcuffs’. It can be more administratively difficult to refinance or switch banks later on.

The value of a professional package often depends on how simple your finances are. These packages work well for high-income employees earning in a stable currency.

For self-employed expats with more complex finances, a bespoke loan from a specialist lender might be a better fit.

FAQs about Home Loan Professional Packages for Aussie Expats

Here are answers to some of the most common questions from Aussie expats for home loan professional packages.

I'm an Aussie expat working as a doctor overseas, so do I get special perks?

Yes, your profession can unlock a huge advantage. But it’s not a discount on the package itself. The package benefits are tied to your loan size, not your job.

The real prize for you is an LMI waiver. LMI is expensive insurance required when you borrow more than 80% of a property’s value.

Many lenders waive this fee for eligible medical, legal, and accounting professionals. This can save you tens of thousands of dollars.

An expat doctor could stack these benefits: get a professional package for a large loan and an LMI waiver because of their profession.

How will a bank calculate my borrowing power on a foreign salary?

Lenders use a very conservative process. This almost always leads to a lower borrowing capacity than you might expect.

It’s a multi-step calculation designed to reduce the bank’s risk.

Here are the typical steps:

Conversion: Your gross salary is converted to Australian dollars. The bank often uses its own, less favourable exchange rate.
Shading: The bank then discounts this amount to buffer against currency risk. For example, they might only use 80% of your USD income.
Taxation: Finally, many lenders apply Australian PAYG tax rates to this reduced figure. This final number is what they use to assess your ability to repay the loan.

👉 Try our borrowing power calculator: How Much Can You Borrow?

Can I really get a 90% loan as an expat?

It’s possible, but it’s very difficult. Achieving a 90% LVR loan from overseas is the exception, not the rule.

You would need everything to fall perfectly into place.

To get a 90% loan:

You generally must be a PAYG employee earning a high income in a Tier 1 currency.
You likely need to work in a profession eligible for an LMI waiver.

For most Aussie expats, a 20% deposit (80% LVR) should be considered the realistic minimum to have a strong chance of approval.

👉 Learn more: 90% LVR Home Loan

Why is a specialist expat mortgage broker so important?

The expat lending market is a minefield. Lender policies are complex, inconsistent, and change without warning.

A general broker or bank employee may not know the specific rules for non-resident borrowers.

A specialist expat mortgage broker lives and breathes this niche. They know which lenders accept which currencies and who has the best shading policies.

They know how to structure an application to avoid common rejection triggers. Their expertise can be the difference between getting your loan approved or declined.

👉 Check out: Why Your Private Banker Can’t Compete with an Australian Expat Mortgage Specialist

The fundamental question is often not which package is best, but which bank will approve your loan at all. Navigating this market alone from overseas is a very high-risk strategy.

The single most important step you can take is to engage a specialist mortgage broker. This is an essential strategy for success.

These specialists have the up-to-date knowledge and lender relationships to guide you. They are the key to finding the right lender and the right loan to achieve your property goals.

AU Expats—Ready to Cut Through the Complexity?

Home loan professional packages can offer great value. They provide big interest rate discounts and fee waivers. However, the landscape for Australian expats is incredibly complex.
The challenges are significant. You face restrictive LVR caps and the devaluation of your foreign income. The fundamental question is often not which package is best, but which bank will approve your loan at all. Navigating this market alone from overseas is a very high-risk strategy.
Book a consultation with an expat mortgage specialist today. Let us help you navigate these challenges and secure your financial future in Australia hassle-free.
Speak with an Australian expat home loan specialist

Key Takeaways

A home loan professional package is a bundle of financial products offering interest discounts and fee waivers for one annual fee. ⬆️
For pro packages, you can expect an annual fee of $300-$400, which your savings from discounts should ideally exceed. ⬆️
Professional package eligibility is based on your loan size, typically over $150,000, not on your profession. ⬆️
Expats must meet the standard package criteria before passing a tougher assessment for non-resident borrowers. ⬆️
Lenders view expats as higher risk, requiring larger deposits and heavily scrutinising foreign income. ⬆️
CBA and Westpac offer traditional professional packages, while NAB and ANZ have shifted to more flexible models. ⬆️
Pros include significant rate discounts, while cons involve annual fees, currency risk, and fewer lender options. ⬆️

Home Loan Professional Package for Australian Expats

What Is a Home Loan Professional Package?