Singapore · Australian finance

Finance for Australian expatsforeign income accepted, remote signing

Built for Australians living and earning abroad borrowing for property or business back home. The usual sticking points — banks want australian payslips, foreign income not recognised, can't be in australia to sign, tax residency questions complicate things — are the ones our lender panel is chosen to solve.

  • Expat-specific lender panelWhat we bring
  • Remote signing genuinely availableWhat we bring
  • Foreign income assessed properlyWhat we bring
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Indicative terms in three minutes

Business-purpose and investment finance only. No credit check at this stage.

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Banks · Private lenders · Non-bank lenders · Specialist fundsSydney · Melbourne · Brisbane · Perth · Singapore · Hong Kong · DubaiBusiness-purpose finance only
Why it's different for australian expats

“Banks need Australian employment to lend”

We hear this constantly. The honest answer is that it depends on security, exit and documentation — which is exactly what the enquiry form asks — and that the lenders on our panel — banks, private lenders and specialist funds alike — price those three things, not the label on the borrower.

“I can't fly back just to sign documents” — a fair concern, and one we address in writing before any application is lodged.

“My income is in the wrong currency” — a fair concern, and one we address in writing before any application is lodged.

Typical pain points: Banks want Australian payslips; Foreign income not recognised; Can't be in Australia to sign; Tax residency questions complicate things. What we bring: expat-specific lender panel, remote signing genuinely available, foreign income assessed properly.

Singapore-based investors, including Singaporean nationals, permanent residents and Australia-based expatriates, typically buy Australian property and business assets for capital preservation, education-driven relocation planning and portfolio diversification away from home-market concentration. Family offices and private investors from Singapore are active in Sydney and Melbourne residential and commercial property, with increasing interest in Brisbane given South-East Queensland's growth. Financing typically covers established property purchases, construction of new residences, and, for business owners, expansion or acquisition of Australian operating businesses.

Singapore sits close to Australian Eastern time (typically two to three hours behind, depending on daylight saving), supporting same-day communication with Australian lenders. Cross-border transactions usually require certified identification and supporting documents, and FX and repatriation of funds should be planned around Singapore's own banking and reporting requirements; borrowers should seek local advice on the tax and currency implications in their home jurisdiction.

Solara Global Capital Partners arranges business-purpose and investment finance for assets and projects in Australia and abroad, including the Middle East and Asia, through banks, private lenders, non-bank lenders and specialist funds. Our Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong offices are representative offices: every facility is documented and settled with the lender, on the lender’s terms, through a lender licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. Nothing on this site is an offer of credit in any jurisdiction where Solara is not permitted to make one.

Foreign persons may need approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board before acquiring an interest in Australian land or an Australian business. This is general information only. Solara does not provide Foreign Investment Review Board advice, and independent legal advice should be sought on your obligations.

Questions

Questions we are asked.

Can I borrow in Australia while working overseas?

Yes, a subset of lenders on our panel specifically assess foreign income and expat circumstances, rather than requiring Australian employment and payslips. The available lenders and terms depend on which country you're earning in and how that income is documented.

Will my foreign income be accepted at full value?

It depends on the currency, the country, and how the income is verified — some lenders apply a discount to foreign income to allow for currency and verification risk, while others accept it close to face value with the right documentation.

Do I need to fly back to Australia to sign loan documents?

Not usually — remote signing and identification processes are standard for expat lending on this panel, though the specific method depends on the lender, the security offered and the type of facility. We confirm what's required for your situation before documents are issued.

How does tax residency affect an Australian expat's borrowing?

⚠ Tax residency status can affect eligibility for certain products and structures, and is a matter for your accountant or tax adviser rather than something the loan process determines. We factor your stated residency into which lenders we approach, but don't provide tax advice ourselves.

Can an expat use an SMSF to buy commercial property in Australia?

Potentially, yes, subject to the same limited recourse borrowing rules as a resident trustee, and to any additional considerations your SMSF adviser identifies around your residency status. The lending mechanics don't change; the eligibility questions sit with your adviser. This is worth raising with your adviser well before a property is under contract.

Is low-doc lending available to Australian expats?

Yes, low-doc structures exist for expat and self-employed-abroad borrowers, generally using bank statements or an accountant's letter in place of a full financial package, though the panel is narrower than for an Australian-resident low-doc applicant. We confirm which lenders are active in your specific country of residence.