Home Loan on a 482 Visa in Australia: What Sydney Buyers Need to Know in 2026

Can You Get a Home Loan on a 482 Visa in Australia?

Yes — but your options are more limited than for citizens and permanent residents, and there are additional requirements to meet. Australian lenders assess 482 visa holders as "temporary residents" and apply more conservative policies to account for the risk that the borrower may need to leave Australia if the visa is not renewed.

Despite this, multiple major and non-bank lenders will lend to 482 visa holders, provided:

• The visa has sufficient time remaining (typically at least 2–3 years)
• The borrower has stable Australian income from an employer who sponsored the visa
• The property is for owner-occupation, not investment (some lenders allow investment, others don't)
• The borrower meets FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board) requirements and pays the FIRB application fee

FIRB Requirements for 482 Visa Home Buyers

The most important regulatory requirement for 482 visa holders buying residential property in Australia is FIRB approval. The Foreign Investment Review Board must approve temporary visa holders purchasing established dwellings in Australia.

• FIRB application fee: Calculated based on property value. For a $1M property, the FIRB fee is approximately $14,100. Fees increase with property value. Check current fees at the FIRB website.
• Established dwellings: Temporary residents can purchase established homes (for their own residence) if they obtain FIRB approval and agree to sell if they leave Australia permanently.
• New dwellings: New properties are generally easier to obtain FIRB approval for and do not have the same resale requirement.
• Timeline: FIRB approval typically takes 30 days. Allow for this in your contract timeline.

Which Lenders Approve 482 Visa Home Loans?

Not all lenders will consider 482 visa holders. Those that do typically apply one of two policies:

• Standard lending with residency requirement: Some lenders require the borrower to have been in Australia for a minimum of 1–2 years and have a PAYG employment history with an Australian employer. LVR is typically capped at 70–80% for temporary residents.
• Specialist temporary resident lenders: A small number of lenders have specific policies for temporary residents, including 482 visa holders, that allow up to 80–90% LVR with appropriate income and visa documentation.

Your mortgage broker will identify which lenders are currently offering the most favourable terms for your visa subclass, visa expiry date, and income level. Policy changes frequently in this space.

Income Requirements for 482 Visa Borrowers

Income requirements for 482 visa home loans in Sydney are similar to other borrowers, with some nuances:

• PAYG income from Australian employer: The strongest income evidence. Standard payslips, tax file number (TFN), and tax returns accepted.
• Overseas income: Some lenders will consider a proportion of overseas income if documented. This is less common and lender policy varies significantly.
• Length of employment: Most lenders require at least 3 months' Australian employment history on your current visa. Some require 6–12 months.

Use our Borrowing Power Calculator as a starting guide, and book a broker call for a precise assessment of your specific visa and income situation.

Tips for 482 Visa Holders Buying in Sydney

• Start early: The combination of FIRB approval and mortgage application adds time to the process. Allow at least 6–8 weeks from application to settlement, not the standard 4–6 weeks.
• Use a broker experienced in temporary resident lending: Not all brokers are familiar with FIRB requirements, temporary resident LVR caps, and the lenders who specialise in this space. Choose carefully.
• Target new properties if possible: New dwellings avoid the FIRB resale condition and are often easier to obtain approval for.
• Consider your visa timeline: If your 482 visa is due for renewal in 12 months, many lenders will be reluctant to lend unless your employer has already committed to sponsoring your renewal. Having a strong employer sponsor strengthens your application significantly.
• Keep your deposit in an Australian bank account: Demonstrating genuine savings in an Australian account for 3–6 months is typically required.

For additional resources on temporary resident property purchase in Australia, see the official ATO guidance on temporary residents and property and the FIRB website. Our partners at Home Loans Hub also publish guides for visa holder buyers.

Frequently Asked Questions