0423 952 184 Book a free call
First home buyers Contact
Book a free call Call 0423 952 184
Call Charles Book a meeting
Specialist lending

Links Property Finance · Home loans for first home buyers: Home Loans for Permanent Residents in Australia

Permanent residents generally borrow on the same terms as citizens, do not need foreign investment approval to buy a home, and can use the federal 5% Deposit Scheme.

Reviewed by Charles Touma Updated 18 October 2026

I’m a permanent resident Book my free call
$0broker fee on most loans
5.0from 32 Google reviews
70+lenders on our panel
Charles Touma, mortgage broker at Links Property Finance

Charles Touma Sydney mortgage brokerYou deal directly with Charles.

Book a free call

Can permanent residents borrow on the same terms as citizens?

Mostly, yes. Once you hold a permanent visa and live in Australia, most lenders treat you much like a citizen and the 5% Deposit Scheme is open to you. A few lenders restrict certain visas.

Read more

You pay no NSW foreign buyer surcharge if you were in Australia for at least 200 days in the year before buying, or if you move in and live there continuously for 200 days within 12 months.

Part of the first home buyer loans guide.

A child in a lavender garden

Recent Links clients

  • Three Links Property Finance clients in front of the agent’s board at the home they bought Family buy · South West Sydney
    Bought, and all smiles. A family purchase in Sydney’s south-west.
  • A family in front of the sold sign at the home they bought together Family buy · Inner West
    The whole family turned up. A parents’ guarantee, done properly.
  • Next one

    The next sold sign could be yours.

    A free 30-minute call shows where you stand.

    Book my free call

What could a 5% deposit get you?

What could a 5% deposit get you?

$800,000
$40,000 A 20% deposit would be $160,000

No LMI: an estimated $22,800 premium avoided (a broad guide; real premiums vary by lender and loan).

Stamp duty: $0 for eligible NSW first home buyers (saves $30,187).

Indicative only. The deposit excludes stamp duty, legal and inspection costs, and a participating lender, not this calculator, confirms 5% Deposit Scheme eligibility.

Confirm your numbers.

Charles Touma, mortgage broker at Links Property Finance
5.0 from 32 Google reviews

Real outcomes for real borrowers.

★★★★★
Paperwork and finances were never my strong suit. He has made this process as simple and dummy proof for me as humanly possible. This is not the first time I use a mortgage broker, however it was the easiest and most pleasant.
Mikhail Google review
★★★★★
Charles is an absolute star at what he does. He was straight-up, highly professional, and worked hard to secure a fantastic rate for our home loan. Communication was prompt and clear the entire way through. I would trust him with any future financial needs
Alan Google review
★★★★★
Had a great experience with Charles at Links Property Finance. He made the whole home loan process straightforward and easy to understand, kept me updated throughout and was always quick to answer any questions.
Louie Google review

Charles Touma, mortgage broker at Links Property FinanceCharles Touma, Mortgage Broker.

What do lenders check for permanent residents?

Keys in the lock of a front door
  • Your visa.Lenders confirm permanent residency from your visa grant or a VEVO check, and a few restrict certain visa classes.
  • Your work history in Australia.Most lenders want stable employment, and some accept recent overseas experience in the same field if your job here is permanent.
  • Your Australian credit history.A short history is normal for new arrivals, and lenders look at your bank statements and repayment conduct instead.

Schemes open to permanent residents

A house key on a green ring
  • The 5% Deposit Scheme.Housing Australia’s guarantees are open to citizens and permanent residents, though every applicant on the loan must be one or the other. See the 5% deposit checker.
  • NSW first home buyer duty relief.Permanent residents can qualify when the other conditions are met, including moving in. See NSW first home buyer schemes.
  • No foreign investment approval needed.Holders of an Australian permanent visa do not need foreign investment approval to buy residential property, even while living overseas.

What if you have recently lived overseas?

Time overseas does not change the foreign investment position: permanent visa holders do not need approval to buy a home. It can change NSW surcharge purchaser duty. Check your position with Revenue NSW before signing a contract.

A permanent resident avoids the surcharge either by having been in Australia for at least 200 days in the 12 months before the purchase or, if not, by buying as an individual, moving in as their principal place of residence and living there continuously for 200 days within 12 months.

New Zealand citizens are in a different position again, covered in home loans for New Zealand citizens.

Buying with a partner on a different visa

If your partner holds a temporary visa, the purchase can be treated differently. Some lenders accept a temporary resident applicant alongside a citizen or permanent resident, and buying as joint tenants with a citizen or permanent resident spouse can be exempt from foreign investment approval.

The 5% Deposit Scheme, however, requires every applicant to be a citizen or permanent resident. See home loans for temporary residents.

Common questions about permanent resident home loans

Can permanent residents get a home loan in Australia?

Yes. Permanent residents living in Australia can borrow from most lenders on terms similar to citizens. A few lenders restrict certain visa classes or want a minimum time working here, so the choice of lender still matters.

Do permanent residents need FIRB approval?

No. Holders of an Australian permanent visa do not need foreign investment approval to buy residential property, wherever they currently live. NSW surcharge purchaser duty is a separate test with its own residence rules.

Can permanent residents use the 5% Deposit Scheme?

Yes. Housing Australia’s guarantees are open to permanent residents as well as citizens, provided every applicant on the loan is one or the other and the other conditions are met.

Do permanent residents pay foreign buyer duty in NSW?

Not if they were in Australia for at least 200 days in the 12 months before the purchase.

A permanent resident who was not can still be exempt when buying as an individual, if the home becomes their principal place of residence and they live there continuously for 200 days within 12 months. Revenue NSW has an online tool to check your status.

I arrived recently. Can I borrow with a short work history here?

Often, if you are in permanent employment and past any probation, or have experience in the same field overseas. Lenders differ on how long they want you in your current role, so applying to the right one matters.

Not yet a permanent resident? See home loans for temporary residents.

Get advice on home loans for permanent residents

Charles can check which lenders accept your visa and work history, whether the 5% Deposit Scheme applies, and what you could borrow.

Book my free call or call 0423 952 184
Prefer a callback?

Charles Touma, mortgage broker at Links Property FinanceCharles calls back within one business day. No documents needed yet.

A family in front of the sold sign at the home they bought together

More for first home buyers

From the blog

View all articles
Deposits and schemesHow Much Deposit Do You Really Need to Buy Your First Home in Sydney? 7 min readDeposits and schemesThe 5% Deposit Scheme in 2026: A Sydney First Home Buyer’s Guide 7 min readIncome and borrowingHow Much Can I Borrow as a First Home Buyer? 7 min read
Charles Touma, mortgage broker at Links Property Finance
Reviewed by Charles Touma Director & Mortgage Broker · MFAA member · Credit Representative 579003 under ACL 389328 About Charles · First home buyers · MFAA register · ASIC register · Complaints processEvery page is reviewed by Charles before it is published and checked against current lender policy and the official scheme pages linked where figures appear.

General information only, not credit, legal or tax advice. Lender visa policies, scheme rules and duty rules change over time. Confirm your status for foreign investment and surcharge purchaser duty with the ATO and Revenue NSW.

Official sources for the figures on this page: Housing Australia, 5% Deposit Scheme · Revenue NSW, First Home Owner (New Homes) Grant · Housing Australia, Help to Buy. Scheme rules change; the official pages are the final word. Checked against these sources on 12 October 2026.