Short answer: in our worked example, a senior accountant in Sydney on about $141,700 could borrow around $775,000, enough for a three-bed house in Macquarie Fields. The same role in Manila supports a Pag-IBIG loan of about ₱4.55M, enough for a typical three-bed in Cavite. The Sydney deposit is about eight times bigger, but she saves about eight times more each month, so both take almost five years to save.
We ran this one for Filipinos in Australia and Filipinos weighing up the move.
The borrower: a senior accountant
She is 28, a senior accountant with six years of experience at an international firm. In Manila she earns about ₱80,000 a month. In Sydney, the same role pays about $141,700 a year (around ₱526,000 a month). She wants a three-bed house within about 30 to 40 km of the CBD.
Manila: what Pag-IBIG lends
Pag-IBIG caps repayments at 35% of gross pay, so about ₱28,000 a month.
That supports a loan of about ₱4.55M over 30 years.
A typical three-bed in Cavite costs about ₱5.1M: usually two storeys on around 100 square metres of land.
Sydney: what an Australian lender lends
Take-home pay of about $8,781 a month, less living costs, tested with the APRA buffer.
Borrowing power of about $775,000 (around ₱34.5M).
A three-bed house in Macquarie Fields at about $968,750: usually single storey, on over 500 square metres.
The savings race
We used a 20% deposit in both cities to keep it fair.
Manila: she saves about ₱21,200 a month and needs about ₱1.24M for the deposit and closing costs.
Sydney: she saves about $3,937 (₱175,000) a month and needs about $226,800 for the deposit and stamp duty.
Result: about 4.8 years in both cities.
After she buys
After her mortgage and living costs, Manila leaves her under ₱4,000 a month. Sydney leaves her about $2,150 (over ₱90,000) a month.
An important condition
This scenario assumes she holds Australian permanent residency or citizenship by the time she buys. On a temporary visa, foreign investment rules, the NSW surcharge duty and tighter lender policies apply, so the numbers change.
The takeaways
A bigger deposit does not mean a longer wait if your income and savings rise with it.
Residency status decides which rules and lenders apply in Australia.
Comparing cities only works if you compare savings, not just prices.
FAQs
Can a Filipino buy a home in Australia?
Australian citizens and permanent residents can buy like any local. Temporary visa holders generally need foreign investment approval and pay extra duties, and buying established homes is currently restricted for foreign persons.
How much can an accountant borrow in Sydney?
In our example, a senior accountant on about $141,700 with no debts could borrow about $775,000. Your figure depends on your expenses, debts and the lender.
Does Echidna Equity arrange Pag-IBIG loans?
No. The Manila figures are general information about Pag-IBIG lending. We arrange Australian home loans.
Planning the move?
Talk to us before you pack the balikbayan box. Book a free chat with Echidna Equity
Figures are estimates for illustration only, as at October 2026. Currency conversions at ₱44.54 = A$1 (22 October 2026). Saving times assume no existing savings, no pay rises, no interest and no price growth. Living costs from Numbeo, October 2026. Typical homes are illustrative. Philippine figures are general information about Pag-IBIG Fund lending; Echidna Equity does not arrange Philippine loans. This is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Subject to eligibility and lender credit criteria. Fees and charges apply. Your full financial needs and requirements need to be assessed prior to any offer or acceptance of a loan product.