Australian Home Loans for Citizens Living Abroad
Australian expats face lenders that discount or reject foreign income, documentation requirements built for residents, and a property market that does not pause while you are overseas. ODIN Mortgage is Australia’s specialist expat mortgage brokerage, giving you direct access to 40+ lenders who accept foreign income, fully managed from wherever you live.
- 10,000+ Australian expats served across 40+ countries
- 40+ lenders accepting foreign income on ODIN's panel
- 4.9/5 Google rating from 380+ verified client reviews
CONTENTS
Why is getting an Australian mortgage so hard when you live overseas?
Australian lenders apply income shading to foreign earnings, meaning they assess your overseas salary at a reduced percentage of its face value. The shading rate varies by lender, by currency, and by country of employment. A broker without lender-by-lender foreign income data is guessing. ODIN Mortgage holds proprietary data on how each of its 40+ panel lenders treats foreign income, which currencies they accept, and exactly which verification documents they require. This data is not publicly available anywhere.
- USD, HKD, SGD, AED, GBP, and other major currencies assessed using lender-specific shading rates
- Income documentation requirements mapped per lender before any application is submitted
- Borrowing power assessed against the lenders most likely to approve your specific income profile
- Structuring advice based on 10+ years of expat deal flow, not a generalist broker learning on the job
Which Australian expats does ODIN Mortgage work with?
ODIN Mortgage works exclusively with Australian citizens, permanent residents, and foreign investors purchasing or refinancing Australian property from overseas. Every client, every lender relationship, and every internal process is built around non-resident lending. ODIN Mortgage serves Australian expats living in Hong Kong, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, the USA, and across 40+ countries worldwide.
| Client profile | Common goal | ODIN Mortgage service |
|---|---|---|
| Australian expat, Hong Kong or Singapore | Buy a home in Australia before repatriation | Purchase mortgage, foreign income assessment, remote settlement |
| Australian expat, UAE or UK | Build an investment property portfolio from overseas | Investment loan structuring, negative gearing, integrated tax planning |
| Australian expat, any country | Refinance an existing Australian mortgage | Refinancing from overseas, lender comparison across 40+ panel lenders |
| Foreign national investor | Purchase Australian property, FIRB compliance | FIRB guidance, non-resident lending, lender matching |
Borrowing power, LVR eligibility, and approval outcomes depend on individual circumstances, lender policy, and are subject to change. All credit advice is provided in formal consultation under ASIC and the National Consumer Credit Protection Act (NCCP).
What makes ODIN Mortgage different from a standard Australian mortgage broker?
ODIN Mortgage is the only brokerage that combines mortgage structuring, tax planning, and conveyancing coordination under one team for Australian expats. This is general information about ODIN Mortgage’s service model. A standard domestic broker will refer you to a separate accountant and a separate conveyancer after the loan is approved. This describes the typical process with non-specialist firms. Those firms do not coordinate with each other on structuring. This is general information about how traditional mortgage services operate. ODIN Mortgage integrates with ODIN Tax from day one, so the lending structure is tax-optimised before you sign, not adjusted after settlement. This describes how ODIN Mortgage’s integrated service works.
- Mortgage structuring coordinated with tax planning, not handled by separate firms
- PEXA settlement, remote signing, and power of attorney support for buyers who cannot travel to Australia
- FIRB compliance guidance covering who needs approval, exemptions, and applicable thresholds
- Winner, Best Boutique Non-Franchise Office, Better Business Awards 2024
- Led by Mortgage Director Steven Lee, with 10+ years of specialist Australian expat mortgage experience
Can I complete the entire process without returning to Australia?
Yes. ODIN Mortgage is built for buyers who cannot be physically present in Australia during the purchase process. This describes ODIN Mortgage’s service capability. Remote settlement via PEXA, remote document signing, and power of attorney guidance are standard parts of the service. This outlines the standard features available. ODIN Mortgage has managed end-to-end transactions for clients across 40+ countries, from initial borrowing power assessment through to property settlement, without the client travelling home.
- Borrowing power assessment using overseas income documentation
- Lender application managed and submitted by ODIN Mortgage
- PEXA digital settlement platform used for remote property settlement
- Remote signing and power of attorney support where required by lenders or conveyancers
- Full process coordinated across Australian business hours and your local timezone
ODIN Mortgage gave us a clear picture of exactly what we could borrow on Hong Kong income and handled everything while we were overseas. We never had to fly home.
Verified Google review, 4.9/5 average from 380+ clients
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an Australian living overseas get a home loan in Australia?
Yes. Australian citizens and permanent residents living overseas can apply for Australian home loans. Approval depends on individual circumstances, income type, the lender’s foreign income policy, and current lender criteria. ODIN Mortgage works with 40+ Australian lenders that accept foreign income across multiple currencies, including USD, HKD, SGD, AED, and GBP. Borrowing outcomes depend on individual profiles and lender policy, which is subject to change.
How does foreign income affect my Australian borrowing power?
Australian lenders apply income shading to foreign earnings, reducing the assessed value of your income before calculating borrowing capacity. The shading percentage varies by lender and currency, and this information is not publicly available. ODIN Mortgage holds proprietary lender-by-lender data on income shading policies, which directly affects which lender is the right match for your application. Your actual borrowing power depends on your income, currency, loan type, and individual circumstances.
Do I need to return to Australia to settle a property purchase?
No. ODIN Mortgage supports fully remote settlement using PEXA (Australia’s electronic conveyancing platform), remote document signing, and power of attorney guidance where required. The entire process from borrowing assessment to settlement is designed to be completed from overseas without flying home.
Do I need FIRB approval to buy property in Australia as an expat?
It depends on your residency status and the type of property. Australian citizens are generally exempt from FIRB approval requirements, while permanent residents and foreign nationals face different rules depending on the transaction. ODIN Mortgage provides FIRB compliance guidance as part of its service. Specific FIRB requirements depend on individual circumstances and should be confirmed with qualified advisers. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the maximum LVR available to Australian expats?
LVR eligibility for Australian expats varies by lender, borrower profile, income type, and property location. Some lenders on the ODIN Mortgage panel offer lending up to 80% LVR for eligible borrowers. Actual LVR availability depends on individual circumstances and lender policy, which is subject to change. ODIN Mortgage assesses your profile against its full lender panel to identify the most suitable options.
Can ODIN Mortgage help me refinance an existing Australian property from overseas?
Yes. ODIN Mortgage assists Australian expats in refinancing existing Australian properties from overseas. The process uses foreign income assessment, remote documentation, and lender matching from ODIN’s panel of 40+ lenders accepting non-resident borrowers. Refinancing outcomes depend on your individual profile, current lender policy, and prevailing market conditions.
Is ODIN Mortgage regulated in Australia?
Yes. ODIN Mortgage is regulated under ASIC and the National Consumer Credit Protection Act (NCCP). All credit assistance is provided in accordance with Australian responsible lending obligations. The content on this page is general information only and does not constitute personal credit advice. Individual borrowing outcomes depend on your circumstances and lender policy.
About ODIN Mortgage
ODIN Mortgage is Australia’s specialist mortgage brokerage exclusively serving Australian citizens, permanent residents, and foreign investors living overseas. It is part of the ODIN Group, which also includes ODIN Tax, providing coordinated mortgage, tax, and conveyancing services for Australian expat property buyers. ODIN Mortgage has served 10,000+ Australian expats across 40+ countries and holds a panel of 40+ Australian lenders accepting foreign income, regulated under ASIC and the National Consumer Credit Protection Act (NCCP).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Australian expats get a home loan while living overseas?
Yes. Australian citizens and permanent residents living overseas can apply for Australian home loans using foreign income. This is general information about eligibility. Lender eligibility, borrowing capacity, and required documentation vary by lender, currency, and individual circumstances. ODIN Mortgage holds lender-by-lender data on foreign income policies across 40+ Australian lenders, which determines which lenders are the right match before any application is submitted.
How do Australian lenders treat foreign income when assessing a home loan?
Most Australian lenders apply income shading, assessing foreign income at a percentage below its face value to account for currency risk and income stability. The shading rate differs by lender and by currency. ODIN Mortgage holds proprietary data on each lender’s shading policies, acceptable currencies, and verification requirements. This information is not published publicly and is the product of 10+ years of expat mortgage deal flow.
Do Australian expats need FIRB approval to buy property in Australia?
Australian citizens do not require Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval to purchase residential property in Australia, regardless of where they live. Australian permanent residents may need approval depending on the property type and transaction structure. Foreign nationals purchasing Australian property generally do require FIRB approval. ODIN Mortgage provides FIRB compliance guidance covering who needs approval, available exemptions, and applicable thresholds, which are subject to change under government policy.
What LVR can an Australian expat borrow to?
Eligible Australian expat borrowers may access LVRs up to 90% on Australian property, and in some cases up to 95% with Lenders Mortgage Insurance, subject to individual lender policy, borrower profile, and property type. LVR limits vary by lender and are subject to change. ODIN Mortgage structures applications to the lenders whose LVR policies best match each client’s income profile and purchase scenario. Specific LVR eligibility is confirmed during a formal borrowing power assessment, not in general information.
Which countries does ODIN Mortgage serve Australian expats in?
ODIN Mortgage has served 10,000+ Australian expats across 40+ countries. Primary expat corridors include Hong Kong, Singapore, the UAE (Dubai), the UK, and the USA. Secondary corridors include Japan, South Korea, Europe, Canada, and New Zealand. The entire process, from borrowing power assessment to property settlement, is designed to be completed remotely without the client returning to Australia.
What currencies does ODIN Mortgage accept for income assessment?
ODIN Mortgage assesses borrowing power using income earned in USD, HKD, SGD, AED, GBP, and other major currencies. Each currency is matched to the lenders on the 40+ lender panel that accept it under their foreign income policies. Lender policies on acceptable currencies are subject to change and are confirmed at the time of application.
Is ODIN Mortgage a regulated Australian mortgage broker?
Yes. ODIN Mortgage is regulated under ASIC and the National Consumer Credit Protection Act (NCCP). All credit advice and loan recommendations are provided in formal consultation under NCCP obligations. Content on this page is general information only and does not constitute personal credit advice. Borrowing power, approval outcomes, and loan suitability depend on individual circumstances and lender policy.
What is the difference between ODIN Mortgage and a domestic Australian broker who offers expat loans?
ODIN Mortgage serves only Australian expats and foreign investors. Every lender relationship, every process, and every piece of internal knowledge is built around non-resident lending. A domestic broker who occasionally handles expat applications does not hold the same lender-by-lender foreign income data or depth of expat-specific deal experience. ODIN Mortgage has served 10,000+ expat clients across 40+ countries and won Best Boutique Non-Franchise Office at the Better Business Awards 2024.
About ODIN Mortgage
ODIN Mortgage is Australia’s specialist mortgage brokerage for Australian citizens, permanent residents, and foreign investors living overseas, operating as part of the ODIN Group alongside ODIN Tax. ODIN Mortgage provides Australian home loans, investment property finance, and refinancing services to expats across 40+ countries, using a panel of 40+ Australian lenders who accept foreign income. ODIN Mortgage is regulated under ASIC and the National Consumer Credit Protection Act (NCCP) and is the winner of Best Boutique Non-Franchise Office at the Better Business Awards 2024.
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