Most FIFO civil engineers spend months scrolling through listings online, then rush an inspection between flights and miss the property they actually wanted.
You need a system that fits your roster, narrows down locations fast, and lets someone you trust inspect on your behalf without making you feel like you're buying blind. The property that suits your deposit, your work, and your long-term plans is out there, but you'll lose it to someone who inspects faster if you wait until your week off.
Narrow Your Search to Three Suburbs Maximum
Pick three suburbs based on affordability, commute to the airport, and whether you want to live there or rent it out while you're away. Buyers who search across ten different areas waste time comparing properties that serve completely different goals. A FIFO buyer with a 10% deposit looking at homes under the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme price cap should choose suburbs where the median sits comfortably below that cap, not right at the edge where every property becomes a bidding war.
Consider a buyer working 2:1 out of Perth who wants to live in the property between swings. They shortlist Baldivis, Byford, and Ellenbrook because all three sit within 45 minutes of the airport, have median prices that fit a budget at current variable rates, and offer a mix of newer estates with low-maintenance homes. They rule out suburbs closer to the CBD because prices push them into a higher deposit bracket, and they rule out regional towns because they want to be near family between swings. That's three defined options, each serving the same goal.
Once you have your three suburbs, set up alerts on the major property portals for those areas only. Every listing outside those three is noise.
Work Out Your Real Budget Before You Start Inspecting
Your real budget is what a lender will actually approve, not what an online calculator tells you. FIFO home loans often require you to show consistent income over two years, prove your employment contract continues, and demonstrate that your roster is stable. If you've been in your current role for 18 months and your contract runs another 12, you're in a stronger position than someone three months into a new site.
Get pre-approval before you inspect anything seriously. Pre-approval tells you the price range, the deposit you need, and whether you're eligible for schemes like the 5% Deposit Scheme, which applies no income cap and covers properties up to $850,000 in Perth and surrounding metro areas. It also shows sellers and agents that you're ready to move, which matters when you're competing against other buyers who've done the same.
Lenders calculate your income differently depending on your roster and your role. A civil engineer on a permanent 2:1 contract with a base salary plus allowances will generally have their income assessed at 80% to 100% of total earnings, depending on how consistent the allowances are and how long you've been receiving them. If you've been in the same FIFO role for two years and your payslips show the same allowances every cycle, lenders treat that income as stable. If you've just moved from a residential role to FIFO, expect the assessment to be more conservative.
Ready to get started?
Book a chat with a Finance & Mortgage Broker at FIFO Home Loans today.
Book Inspections Around Your Roster and Use a Backup
You're either on site, in transit, or trying to fit life into a short break between swings. Inspecting properties in person is still the most reliable way to assess condition, street appeal, and whether the layout works, but waiting until your week off means you'll miss anything that lists and sells within a fortnight.
Book inspections during your time off and line up a backup for the properties you can't see. That backup should be someone who knows what you're looking for, understands the difference between cosmetic work and structural problems, and can walk through a home with a checklist you've agreed on beforehand. Parents, partners, or a trusted friend who's bought property themselves are often the most practical options. Some buyers use a buyer's agent, but that's an additional cost and not necessary if you've done your research and you have someone local who can attend opens.
In a scenario like this, a FIFO buyer working 2:1 sees a property list on a Tuesday in Byford. The first home open is Saturday. They're on site until the following Wednesday. They ask their partner to attend the weekend open with a list: check the roof, look for cracks in the walls, test the water pressure, ask the agent about recent sales in the street, and take a video walkthrough. The partner attends, reports back with the video and notes, and the buyer calls the agent that evening to ask follow-up questions about settlement terms and building and pest reports. By the time they fly home, they've already decided whether to make an offer.
If you don't have someone who can attend in person, some agents will arrange private video tours. It's not as useful as attending yourself, but it's better than making an offer based on photos alone.
Know Which Property Features Let You Move Faster
Properties that need less work, have clean building and pest reports, and come with longer settlement periods suit FIFO buyers who can't manage renovations or urgent repairs between swings. A three-bedroom brick and tile home built in the last 15 years with a standard floor plan and no immediate maintenance issues will settle faster and require less hands-on involvement than a 1980s weatherboard that needs restumping, rewiring, and a kitchen upgrade.
Homes in estates with low strata fees or no strata at all also reduce the ongoing management load. If you're planning to rent the property out while you're away or considering it as an option later, check rental yields for similar properties in the street and confirm demand with a local property manager before you make an offer. A home that rents quickly and holds tenants is worth more to a FIFO buyer than one that sits vacant for months because it's in the wrong part of the suburb.
Focus on properties that have already been owner-occupied and maintained rather than former rentals that have been neglected. The condition report will show you the difference. Former rentals often need carpet, paint, and minor repairs that add up quickly if you're paying tradespeople to do the work while you're on site.
Make Your Offer Subject to Finance and Building Inspection
Every offer you make should include a finance clause and a building and pest inspection clause. The finance clause protects you if your loan falls through. The building and pest clause protects you if the inspection uncovers structural damage, termite activity, or problems the seller didn't disclose. Agents will push you to go unconditional to make your offer more attractive, but you shouldn't take that risk unless you've already had the inspections done and your finance is fully approved.
FIFO buyers are often told they need to offer unconditionally to compete, but that's only true in a very tight market where multiple buyers are bidding on the same property. In most cases, a conditional offer with a short timeframe is just as competitive as an unconditional offer, especially if you've already got pre-approval and you can settle quickly.
Set your finance clause to 10 business days and your building and pest clause to 7 business days. That gives you enough time to get the reports back, review them, and decide whether to proceed. If the inspection shows minor issues like a few cracked tiles or a dripping tap, you can usually negotiate a small price reduction or ask the seller to fix the problems before settlement. If the inspection shows major issues like structural movement, roof damage, or active termites, you can walk away without penalty.
Use Schemes That Lower Your Deposit and Remove LMI
The 5% Deposit Scheme removes the need for Lenders Mortgage Insurance and lets eligible first home buyers purchase with a 5% deposit. There's no income cap, no annual limit on places, and you can use a fixed rate, variable rate, or split loan structure depending on your lender. If you're buying in Perth or surrounding metro postcodes, the property price cap is $850,000. If you're buying in regional Western Australia, the cap is $600,000.
You can combine the 5% Deposit Scheme with state-based concessions. In Western Australia, first home buyers purchasing or building a new home valued up to $800,000 south of the 26th parallel can access a $10,000 grant. First home buyers purchasing any home, new or established, valued up to $600,000 pay no stamp duty. A reduced rate applies on homes valued between $600,001 and $800,000. That combination of federal and state support can cut your upfront costs significantly and bring a property within reach sooner.
If you've been making voluntary contributions into super, check whether you're eligible for the First Home Super Saver Scheme. You can withdraw up to $50,000 of eligible contributions to put toward your deposit, and those contributions are taxed at 15% rather than your marginal rate. You need to apply for a determination from the ATO before you sign a contract, so start that process early.
Call one of our team or book an appointment at a time that works for you. We'll walk you through income assessment for your roster, work out which deposit options and schemes apply, and make sure your pre-approval is in place before you start inspecting properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I inspect properties when I'm on a FIFO roster?
Book inspections during your time off and arrange a trusted backup to attend opens when you're on site. Give them a checklist covering property condition, street appeal, and specific questions for the agent. Some agents also offer private video tours if you can't attend in person.
What deposit do I need as a FIFO first home buyer?
Under the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, eligible first home buyers can purchase with a 5% deposit and no LMI. In Perth and metro areas, the property price cap is $850,000. Pre-approval will confirm your eligibility and the deposit amount required.
Should I make an unconditional offer to compete with other buyers?
Most FIFO buyers should include finance and building inspection clauses to protect themselves, even in a competitive market. Set short timeframes like 10 business days for finance and 7 days for inspections. A conditional offer with pre-approval is usually just as competitive as an unconditional one.
How do lenders assess FIFO income for a home loan?
Lenders typically assess FIFO income at 80% to 100% of total earnings, depending on how consistent your allowances are and how long you've been in the role. Two years in the same FIFO position with stable payslips gives you the strongest borrowing position.
Can I use first home buyer grants and the 5% Deposit Scheme together?
Yes. In Western Australia, you can combine the 5% Deposit Scheme with the $10,000 first home owner grant for new homes and stamp duty concessions on homes up to $800,000. Both schemes can apply to the same purchase.
