Can a 482 visa holder buy a home in Australia?

Yes — but lender choice is narrow. Many major banks decline 482 outright. Specialist lenders and some second-tier banks accept 482 with sufficient visa term remaining (usually 12+ months) and stable employment.

Do visa holders need FIRB approval?

Most temporary visa holders need FIRB approval to buy (currently $14,700+ for established property under $1M). PR visa holders generally don't. We confirm before lodging.

How much deposit do visa holders need?

Most lenders want 20-30% deposit from visa holders. Some accept 10-20% with LMI for strong PR-pathway visas (186, 187, 491). We model your specific scenario.

What happens if my visa expires before the loan is paid off?

Loans are based on the property and your ability to repay — not on your visa status. If you leave Australia you can sell or convert to investment. Most visa holders eventually move to PR before any concern.

Can I use my partner's PR or citizenship to qualify?

Yes — joint applications with a PR or citizen partner usually unlock major bank lending and remove most visa restrictions. We model both single and joint scenarios.

Visa Holder | Mortgagefy

Who this guide is for

482 (TSS) sponsored visa holders working in Sydney
186 / 187 (employer-sponsored permanent) visa holders
491 / 494 (regional sponsored) visa holders
820 / 309 (partner) visa holders waiting on permanent
Bridging visa holders with substantive visa application pending

The real challenge

Each visa subclass has different lender appetite. Most major banks decline 482 visa holders outright. Some accept 186 PR visa as if you're a citizen. Bridging visa is highly lender-specific. Without the right broker, visa holders waste weeks applying to the wrong lender.

FIRB rules add another layer — most visa holders need FIRB approval to buy ($14,700+ application fee for established property). The wrong property type can make the FIRB application fail.

How Mortgagefy helps

Mortgagefy works with lenders that actively accept visa holder applications. We map your specific visa, employment, deposit and target property to the right lender — first time.

We coordinate with your migration agent on visa documentation and timing, and with FIRB on the property approval. Most visa holder loans settle in 6-10 weeks including FIRB.

How it works — 4 simple steps

Visa + status review

We confirm your visa subclass, conditions, employment status and remaining visa term.

Lender match

Each visa is treated differently — we shortlist the 2-3 most generous lenders for your specific case.

FIRB coordination

We confirm whether FIRB is required and coordinate the application alongside your loan.

Settlement

Application, FIRB approval, valuation, settlement coordinated. Most visa loans settle in 6-10 weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Get a free visa holder home loan assessment

We work with all major visa subclasses and coordinate FIRB if needed. Free consultation — we tell you upfront what's achievable.

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Home Loans for Australian Visa Holders