Independent guide. Not a lender or mortgage broker, and not credit advice. About us
Expat FinanceIndependent guide

Checked 7 October 2026

Australian home loans from Malaysia

What is specific to borrowing from Malaysia: how lenders treat income in MYR, what to check before you move money, and the tax position. Lender figures come from broker websites and are indicative.

At a glance

  • CurrencyMYR. Secondary or lender-by-lender.
  • Tax treaty with AustraliaYes. A double tax agreement has been in force since 1981.
  • Moving money outThere are limits and rules to check before you transfer. See below.

How lenders see income from Malaysia

The ringgit sits on a secondary currency list at brokers, where acceptance is assessed lender by lender. Check early whether a lender will take it at all.

The percentage of income counted, the loan size and the deposit all depend on your status as well as your currency. See Australians overseas, foreign nationals and how foreign income is counted.

Moving money out of Malaysia

Bank Negara’s policy lets a resident with no domestic ringgit borrowing invest any amount abroad, including in real estate. A resident who does have ringgit borrowings is limited to RM1 million a year in aggregate from converted ringgit, and larger amounts need Bank Negara approval.

Tax

The practical issues are the RM1 million annual limit if you have ringgit borrowings at home, and how much of your income a lender will count in ringgit.

The general rules for overseas owners are on our tax page.

A roadmap for a buyer living in Malaysia

Free, on screen straight away: the documents, cash, timeline and tax points for your situation. Get your loan roadmap.

Frequently asked questions

Will Australian lenders accept MYR income?

The ringgit sits on a secondary currency list at brokers, where acceptance is assessed lender by lender. Check early whether a lender will take it at all.

Does Australia have a tax treaty with Malaysia?

Yes. A double tax agreement has been in force since 1981.

Sources

Checked 7 October 2026. Broker figures are indicative.

Expat Finance is an independent guide. It is not a lender, mortgage broker or credit provider, it does not hold an Australian credit licence, and it does not give credit, legal, tax or migration advice. It is not affiliated with any bank, the ATO or the Foreign Investment Review Board. General information only, not legal, tax, migration or financial advice.