Dubai-Based Aviation Executive Finances Australian Land Purchase

Atlas Mortgage | Client Case Study

This case study highlights how Atlas Mortgage assisted a Dubai-based Australian aviation executive and their spouse in securing finance to purchase vacant land in Australia. With income earned in AED and no Australian taxable earnings, the clients, therefore, required a tailored lending strategy that could accommodate foreign income, expatriate assessment rules, and the complexities of financing a non-standard security type. Ultimately, the transaction formed part of a long-term plan to eventually return to Australia and build a home.

Case Study at a Glance

Australian Permanent Residents | USD Income + RSU | Investment Purchase

Client Situation

• Married Australian citizens, no dependents, residing in Dubai, UAE.
• Primary income earner employed full-time with a major Middle Eastern airline as a VP-level executive — senior, stable role.
• Income earned in UAE Dirhams (AED): AED 49,400 base salary + AED 24,250 in allowances per month.
• Goal: purchase vacant land in Australia at $840,000 — part of a long-term plan to return and build.
• Non-working spouse — single-income application.

The Challenge

• Vacant land is a restricted security type — therefore many lenders cap LVR at 60–70% and apply higher risk overlays.
• AED income required currency conversion and shading under expat income policies.
• Allowances (AED 24,250/month) needed to be assessed — not all lenders include allowances in serviceability.
• At the same time, this was a single-income household with no rental income — all servicing from one earner.
• No Australian taxable income to reference, adding complexity to the assessment.

Our Approach

• Assessed lenders specifically for vacant land policy at 66.67% LVR — therefore eliminating those with blanket caps below this threshold.
• In addition, we validated that AED allowances were contractual and ongoing — thereby securing their inclusion in serviceability at the preferred lender.
• Structured documentation to demonstrate employment stability at VP level, supporting the long-term exit strategy.
• We confirmed adequate savings for deposit and stamp duty without requiring asset liquidation.
• Finally, we managed the application end-to-end, coordinating valuation and settlement once the contract of sale was executed.

The Outcome

• Loan approved: $560,000 — vacant land purchase
• LVR: 66.67% on $840,000 purchase price
• Full AED salary + allowances included in assessment
• Settlement completed — land secured for future build

Case Study Summary

In conclusion, by leveraging specialist expat lending policy and a deep understanding of foreign income assessment, Atlas Mortgage successfully secured approval for a $560,000 loan at 66.67% LVR. The structure incorporated both the client’s AED salary and contractual allowances, while meeting lender requirements for vacant land finance. Finally, the result was a seamless approval and settlement process, enabling the clients to secure their Australian landholding and progress their long-term relocation strategy with confidence.

Contact Us

If managing your financial affairs across borders is starting to feel overwhelming, you’re definitely not alone. It’s a complex space, and having the right support can make all the difference. At Atlas Wealth Group, we specialise in supporting Australian expats with cross-border tax planning, superannuation, mortgages and wealth management. Contact us to arrange a consultation with a qualified adviser who specialises in Australian expat financial planning to get personalised guidance tailored to your circumstances.

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Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Individuals should consult licensed professionals when seeking guidance regarding their financial circumstances.