Non-Resident Loans

Looking to invest in Australian property or grow your business? Concordia Finance helps non-residents navigate the complex world of non-resident home loans and mortgage solutions.

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Concordia Finance

Non-Resident Loans Made Simple

Purchasing property or starting a business in Australia as a non-resident can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Whether you're a temporary resident on a work visa, a student visa holder, or a foreign buyer looking to invest, Concordia Finance understands the unique challenges you face. Non-resident loans come with strict rules regarding the type of residential real estate and investment property you can purchase, along with different deposit requirements and loan interest rate considerations compared to Australian citizens. Our team specialises in non-resident mortgage solutions that help you navigate these complexities while finding the right funding option for your situation.

One of the biggest hurdles for non-residents is understanding FIRB approval requirements. The Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) regulates property purchases by foreign residents, and you'll typically need to complete an ATO application through the application form on the Australian Tax Office (ATO) website and pay an application fee before you can proceed. The FIRB fee varies depending on the property value, and approval is generally granted on a case-by-case basis. Most temporary residents and foreign buyers will find they can buy new buildings or vacant land for development, as FIRB approval for new dwelling FIRB applications is more straightforward than purchasing established properties. Concordia Finance can guide you through the entire FIRB application process, ensuring you meet all requirements before applying for your non-resident home loan.

Deposit requirements for non-resident mortgages are typically higher than for Australian citizens, with most lenders requiring a minimum 20% non-resident deposit. LVR limits are stricter for those who are not a citizen, meaning you'll need to demonstrate stronger financial capacity upfront. Additionally, lenders will assess your overseas income differently, often requiring extensive documentation and currency exchange considerations. Some lenders also factor in your visa status when determining eligibility, with student visa holders and temporary visa home loan applicants facing different criteria than those on work visa mortgage applications. These varying requirements mean finding the right lender is crucial, and that's where Concordia Finance's expertise becomes invaluable.

Beyond the loan itself, non-residents need to budget for additional costs like stamp duty, which varies by state and is often higher for foreign buyers. The combination of FIRB fees, stamp duty, higher deposit requirements, and potentially higher loan interest rates means careful financial planning is essential. Every non-resident loan application is assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account your visa status, income stability, employment history, and the type of property you're purchasing. Concordia Finance works with a panel of lenders who understand the non-resident market and can offer competitive foreign buyer mortgage solutions tailored to your circumstances.

Whether you're seeking a temporary visa home loan to purchase your first Australian property or need non-resident mortgage solutions to expand your investment portfolio, Concordia Finance is here to help. We take the complexity out of the process by managing the paperwork, liaising with lenders, and ensuring you understand every step from FIRB approval through to settlement. Our experience with overseas income verification, currency exchange considerations, and the specific requirements for foreign residents means you'll have expert support throughout your property or business funding journey. Don't let the challenges of being a non-resident hold you back from achieving your Australian property or business goals.

Non-Resident Loans

Our Non-Resident Lending Process

1. Get in Touch

Reach out to us through our website, phone, or email. We'll arrange a time to chat that suits your schedule. This first conversation is relaxed and informal - we simply want to understand your situation and what you're hoping to achieve. Whether you're new to Australia, working overseas, or serving the community as an essential worker, we're here to listen without judgement.

2. Understanding Your Goals

During our initial meeting, we'll discuss your financial goals in detail. Are you looking to buy your first home in Australia? Perhaps you want to start a business or expand an existing one? We'll ask questions about your income, savings, and plans for the future. This helps us get a complete picture of where you are now and where you want to be.

3. Assessing Your Options

Once we understand your needs, we'll review your financial situation and identify the best loan products for you. We work with a wide range of lenders who understand the unique circumstances of new migrants, non-residents, and essential workers. We'll explain what documents you'll need and help you understand what's possible based on your situation.

4. Finding the Right Lender

Not all lenders are the same, and some are better suited to your circumstances than others. We'll use our industry knowledge and relationships to match you with lenders who appreciate your background and can offer competitive rates. We'll present you with clear options, explaining the pros and cons of each one in plain language.

5. Preparing Your Application

We'll help you gather all necessary documents and complete your loan application. This includes checking everything is correct and presenting your application in the strongest possible way. We know what lenders look for, and we'll make sure your application highlights your strengths. We'll keep you updated throughout this process.

6. Submission and Negotiation

Once your application is ready, we'll submit it to the chosen lender on your behalf. We'll manage all communication with the lender and negotiate terms to get you the best possible outcome. If the lender has questions or needs additional information, we'll handle that promptly to keep things moving forward.

7. Settlement and Beyond

When your loan is approved, we'll guide you through the final steps to settlement. We'll explain all the paperwork and make sure you understand your commitments. Even after your loan settles, we remain available to answer questions and help with future refinancing or additional finance needs as your circumstances change.

What Our Non-Resident Clients Say

Laura Wheadon

If you are looking for a Mortgage Specialist who will support you every step of the way with her expert level knowledge of the market than look no further than Sarah Cychowski at Concordia Finance. I found Sarah's professionalism and genuine personality to be the key to the overall positive experience I had with expanding my property portfolio. Thank you Sarah for your expertise.

Anushree Sen

I have worked with Sarah and her integrity really stands out. She is incredibly intelligent and thoughtful in how she approaches her work. She fully understands what she is doing and once she puts her mind to something, she consistently achieves the best outcomes. Sarah is widely respected by everyone around her, and that respect is well earned. I genuinely admire how brilliant she is at what she does and would trust her completely.

Jeff Claridge

I honestly couldn’t recommend my mortgage broker more highly! From the very beginning, she made what could have been a stressful and overwhelming process feel smooth, clear, and even exciting. Her knowledge of the market was incredible, and she took the time to explain every step in a way that actually made sense. No question was ever too small, and I always felt completely supported and confident in my decisions. What really stood out was her dedication — she went above and beyond to secure the best possible outcome for me, and her communication was consistently prompt, friendly, and reassuring. If you’re looking for someone who genuinely cares, works tirelessly behind the scenes, and delivers outstanding results, look no further. I’m so grateful for Sarah's help and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone! Thank you again for everything — you’ve made such a big milestone in my life an amazing experience.

Pech Sreylak Mao

I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better broker to guide us through this process. From the very beginning, she was incredibly proactive, transparent, and genuinely invested in helping us secure the right outcome—not just any outcome. What stood out most was how much care she put into explaining everything clearly. Buying land and organising a build can feel overwhelming, but she broke it all down step by step and made sure we felt confident at every stage. She was always available to answer questions (no matter how small), and nothing ever felt like too much trouble. It’s rare to find someone who genuinely cares about your goals and treats your situation like it’s their own—but that’s exactly what she does. We’re so grateful to have had her support and would 100% recommend her to anyone looking for a broker they can trust. Excited to keep working together on our next purchase!

Tesse Scholes

People of such high integrity are rare, even more so in the finance industry. Sarah is led by her compassion, kindness and curiosity and her professionalism unmatched. A truly remarkable person who is capable of helping you achieve remarkable things also.

Rebecca Cahill

Sarah is extremely professional and uses her competence and experience to get the best outcome. She is caring and acts ethically in all her interactions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can non-residents purchase property in Australia?

Non-residents can purchase property in Australia, though there are specific rules and requirements you'll need to follow. Generally, you'll need approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) before purchasing, and there are different rules for new properties versus established homes. The lending requirements are also different for non-residents, with most lenders requiring larger deposits and having different assessment criteria. Concordia Finance works with lenders who actively provide loans to non-resident purchasers, and we understand the additional steps involved in your application. We can coordinate the timing of your FIRB application with your loan application, and ensure you're working with lenders who have experience and appetite for non-resident lending.

Do I need Australian credit history to get approved for a loan?

While having Australian credit history can be helpful, it's not always essential, and many of our clients at Concordia Finance have successfully obtained loans without lengthy local credit records. Some lenders specialise in working with new migrants and understand that you may not have had time to build Australian credit history. In these cases, lenders may consider alternative evidence such as your rental payment history, overseas credit records, employment stability, savings patterns, and the size of your deposit. For new arrivals, demonstrating responsible financial behaviour in your home country and showing stable income in Australia can support your application. We know which lenders are more flexible in this area and how to present your application to highlight your creditworthiness, even without extensive Australian credit history.

Can my overtime be included when calculating how much I can borrow?

Yes, overtime income can absolutely be considered when assessing your borrowing capacity, and for many essential workers it makes a significant difference to what you can afford. Lenders treat overtime differently depending on how regular and consistent it is. Most lenders want to see at least two years of overtime history, usually evidenced through payslips and group certificates or income statements. If your overtime is consistent and ongoing, many lenders will accept a portion or even all of it as genuine income. Concordia Finance works with a wide panel of lenders and knows which ones are most generous in how they treat overtime for essential workers like nurses, paramedics, police officers, and aged care staff. We help you present your income in the most favourable way so your full earning capacity is recognised.

What types of loans are available for someone starting a new business?

Several loan types can support new business owners, depending on what you need the funds for and your personal circumstances. Equipment finance helps you purchase machinery, vehicles or technology needed to operate. Business overdrafts provide flexible access to funds for managing cash flow fluctuations. Term loans offer a lump sum for establishing your business premises, purchasing stock, or covering initial operating costs. For essential workers starting a business, some lenders may consider your employment history and income stability favourably. Concordia Finance assesses your specific business needs and personal situation to identify which loan types and lenders are most appropriate. We explain how each option works, what the obligations are, and which structure aligns with your business goals and circumstances.

I'm a new migrant to Australia. Can I still get a home loan?

Yes, new migrants can absolutely obtain home loans in Australia, and Concordia Finance specialises in helping people in your situation. While some lenders have specific requirements for new arrivals, many Australian lenders offer products designed for migrants who may not have extensive local credit history or employment records. The key is knowing which lenders to approach and how to present your application in the most favourable way. We help you gather the right documentation, which might include overseas income evidence, employment contracts, visa details, and proof of savings. Your pathway to property ownership in Australia is entirely possible, and we're here to support you through every step of the lending process.

What is a finance broker and how can Concordia Finance help me?

A finance broker acts as a connection between you and potential lenders, working on your behalf to find suitable loan options that match your circumstances. At Concordia Finance, we specialise in supporting new migrants, non-residents and essential workers who want to purchase property or start and grow a business in Australia. We understand that your situation may be different from traditional borrowers, and we know which lenders are more likely to work with your unique circumstances. Our role is to save you time by researching loan products across multiple lenders, preparing your application correctly, and guiding you through the entire process from start to finish.

Are there any costs involved in using Concordia Finance's services?

Concordia Finance receives payment from lenders when we successfully arrange a loan for you, which means many of our services don't require upfront payment from you. This commission structure allows us to provide expert guidance and application support throughout your lending journey. In some circumstances, particularly for complex applications or specialist lending scenarios, there may be additional fees, but we'll always discuss these with you upfront before proceeding with any work. Our priority is transparency, so you'll understand any costs involved before you commit to working with us. The value we provide includes saving you time researching lenders, improving your application quality, accessing wholesale lending options you can't reach directly, and providing ongoing support throughout the settlement process.

How long does the loan application process typically take?

The timeframe for loan approval varies depending on your individual circumstances and the lender involved, but most applications take between two to six weeks from submission to approval. Applications from new migrants or non-residents may take slightly longer as lenders review additional documentation. However, the preparation phase before submitting your application is equally important. At Concordia Finance, we work with you to gather all necessary documents before submission, which helps avoid delays caused by missing information. We also maintain regular communication with lenders to keep your application moving forward. For time-sensitive purchases, we can identify lenders known for faster processing times and ensure your application is as complete as possible from the outset.

What is the difference between working with a finance broker versus going directly to a bank?

When you approach a bank directly, you only have access to that bank's loan products and their specific lending criteria. If your application doesn't fit their requirements, you'll need to start the process again elsewhere. A finance broker like Concordia Finance works with multiple lenders across banks, credit unions, and specialist lenders, giving you access to a much wider range of options. This is particularly valuable for new migrants, non-residents, and essential workers whose circumstances may not fit standard lending criteria. We understand which lenders are more likely to approve your specific situation and can often identify solutions that you wouldn't find by approaching banks individually. Additionally, we manage the application process on your behalf, saving you considerable time and effort while increasing your likelihood of approval.

Can Concordia Finance help me if my loan application has been rejected elsewhere?

Yes, we regularly assist clients who have experienced loan rejections from direct lender applications. A rejection from one lender doesn't mean you can't obtain finance elsewhere, as each lender has different criteria and risk appetites. When you come to us after a rejection, we first review why the previous application was unsuccessful. Sometimes applications are declined due to how they were presented rather than the applicant's actual circumstances. We then identify lenders whose criteria align better with your situation. For new migrants and non-residents especially, knowing which lenders to approach is crucial, as mainstream banks may decline applications that specialist lenders would approve. We restructure your application, ensure all supporting documentation is comprehensive, and match you with appropriate lenders, significantly improving your chances of approval.