First home buyer loans, made clear

We check every scheme, grant and stamp duty relief you can use, then compare 60+ lenders.

5%Deposit with the 5% Deposit Scheme

2%Deposit for eligible single parents

Book a free consultation

How much can I borrow?

Why getting into your first home matters

Build wealth sooner, save on costs, and finally own your space.

Own your home

Repayments build equity in your own home, not your landlord’s.

Over time, property values can rise and grow your wealth.

Choose fixed, variable or split repayments for more control.

Enjoy the stability of a home that is yours, not a lease.

Plan for the future from right now

Get into the market sooner and start building equity.

Build a financial foundation for future upgrades or investments.

Use your first home as a stepping stone toward an investment property.

Choose a home that suits you for the long term.

Access government incentives

Use the 5% Deposit Scheme to buy with a 5% deposit and without LMI.

Save on stamp duty with first home buyer relief (rules differ by state).

Save up to $50,000 towards a deposit through super with the First Home Super Saver Scheme. Our compound interest calculator shows how extra contributions grow over time.

Claim a first home owner grant on a new home (rules differ by state).

Talk to us about your first home

Do I qualify as a first home buyer?

These are the main boxes to tick for the 5% Deposit Scheme and the state grants. Each scheme has its own detailed rules, and we check them for you.

You don’t own property

For the 5% Deposit Scheme you must not have owned property or land in Australia in the last 10 years. Grants and the super saver scheme generally need you never to have owned one.

You’ll live in the property

It must be your home, not an investment. For the SA grant you must live in it for at least 6 continuous months, starting within 12 months.

Age & residency

You must be at least 18 and an Australian citizen or permanent resident. For the grant, at least one applicant must be.

Income & employment

You need a stable income that covers repayments at the lender’s assessment rate, which is set above the actual rate.

The property price itself

The 5% Deposit Scheme has a price cap for each location. In Adelaide and SA regional centres it is $900,000, and $500,000 elsewhere in SA.

Credit and liabilities

Defaults make approval harder but not always impossible. Lenders also count credit card limits and other debts, so keep them low.

Am I eligible? Let’s find out

(Not sure? We check it for you in a free consultation.)

New or established? What it means for an SA first home buyer

Same buyer, same $650,000 price, two homes. On these figures the new home costs $29,580 less in charges, and the grant adds up to $15,000 more.

Established home, $650,000

Stamp duty: $29,580

Transfer fee $6,653 and mortgage registration $204

First Home Owner Grant: not available

Government charges: $36,437

New home, $650,000

Stamp duty: $0 with first home buyer relief

Transfer fee $6,653 and mortgage registration $204

First Home Owner Grant: up to $15,000

Government charges: $6,857, before the grant

What the 5% Deposit Scheme adds

Deposit from $32,500 (5 per cent) on either home

LMI is not charged on the guaranteed loan

Adelaide price cap: $900,000

An owner-occupier loan with principal and interest repayments

Run your stamp duty numbers

Our first home buyer lending partners

We compare banks and non-bank lenders so you don’t have to.

Logos of banks and lenders on the Loanity lender panel

Testimonials

This is why you should let us handle your business finance

      
   Loanity
   80 Google reviews 
  Write a review 
  
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Morteza Rayati 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a very good experience with Loanity and definitely recommend them.

One thing I really like about Loanity is that they help you actually understand the whole loan process, rather than just telling you what to do. Their website also has several useful tools and information that you can use even before becoming their client, which I found very helpful when trying to understand my options.

A special thanks to Kourosh. He genuinely puts time and effort into answering your questions and making sure you understand everything properly. Whenever I had questions, he took the time to explain things clearly and go through the different options with me, rather than just giving a quick answer.

For me, this level of transparency, education and support makes a big difference. You feel that you are involved in the process and understand what is happening, rather than just handing everything over to a broker.

Really appreciate Kourosh and the Loanity team for their time, effort and professional service. Highly recommended.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   mojgan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had great experience,They are very knowledgeable and professional through all the process,Highly recommend .
Thank you so much 😊
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Siavash Farhadi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Working with Kourosh and his team on my unsecured personal loan for debt consolidation was a seamless experience from start to finish.

As a top-tier finance broker, Kourosh took care of the entire loan comparison process to deliver a truly tailored financial solution aligned with my budget. His communication was prompt, the application process was hassle-free, and the quick turnaround time led to a fast approval with no hidden fees.
Even after comparing options with multiple brokers, Kourosh secured the most competitive low interest rate and flexible repayment terms on the market.
For anyone in need of expert financial advice and reliable service, I highly recommend Kourosh and his team
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Arezo Valandizi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’m very grateful to Kourosh and the Lonity team for all their help, advice, and support throughout my home loan journey.

Kourosh has been incredibly patient, professional, and supportive. He always takes the time to explain everything clearly, answer all my questions, and guide me through every step of the process. His advice has given me confidence and made the whole experience much easier and less stressful.

I truly appreciate all the time and effort Kourosh has put into helping me achieve my goal of buying my own home. I highly recommend Kourosh and the Lonity team to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, trustworthy, and genuinely supportive mortgage broker.

Thank you so much, Kourosh, for all your help and support.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sheema 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a fantastic experience working with Kourosh Tabandeh. He went above and beyond to help us increase our borrowing capacity for our home purchase, and we are truly grateful for all his support.

Kourosh is extremely professional, knowledgeable, caring, and dedicated. He was always available to answer our questions, followed up on everything carefully, and genuinely did his best to achieve the best possible outcome for us.

Buying a home can be a stressful process, but having Kourosh by our side made a huge difference. We really appreciated his patience, persistence, and the genuine care he showed throughout the whole process.

We highly recommend Kourosh to anyone looking for a trustworthy, professional, and supportive mortgage broker. Thank you so much, Kourosh, for everything you did for us!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Hassan Khaleghi Sohi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service and a very professional experience. I had a phone consultation regarding my finance and refinancing options, and I was very impressed with the consultant’s knowledge, professionalism and helpful advice.

Everything was explained clearly and I never felt pressured. Highly recommended for anyone looking for professional and reliable financial services.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   hadi yousefi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service from Loanity! Professional, knowledgeable, and always available when needed. They made the whole loan process smooth and stress-free, and went above and beyond to get the best outcome for me.

Highly recommend Loanity to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy mortgage broker. Fantastic service!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Buff Ryder 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I couldn’t be happier with the service I received from Kia. Refinancing can feel like a complicated and stressful process, but Kia made everything so easy from start to finish.

Kia was always friendly, approachable and happy to answer any questions I had. They took the time to understand what I was looking for, explained everything clearly, and kept me updated throughout the whole process.

What really stood out was how much Kia genuinely cared about getting the best outcome for me. They went above and beyond, and I always felt like I was in good hands.

I’m very grateful for all Kia’s help and would happily recommend Kia to my family and friends. Thank you, Kia, for making the refinancing process such a smooth and positive experience!

Ps: He is really hard working as well.

Beyond the Reviews: Hear From Our Clients

Every home loan journey is different, and choosing the right mortgage broker is a big decision. Hear directly from Loanity clients as they share their real experiences working with our team. Watch their stories and discover what it’s like to have Loanity by your side throughout the home loan process.

How a first home loan gets approved, step by step

Six steps from the first conversation to the keys. We handle the lender side of each one.

Check what you qualify for

We check the 5% Deposit Scheme, your state’s grant and stamp duty relief, and the First Home Super Saver Scheme against your situation.

Work out your borrowing power

We assess your income, debts and living costs the way lenders do, including the buffer they add to the rate.

Get pre-approval

We apply to a lender whose policy suits you. Under the 5% Deposit Scheme you then have 90 days to sign a contract.

Find your home and make an offer

Bid or offer within your limit. We check the property and the price against the lender’s policy and the scheme’s price cap.

Valuation and formal approval

We send the signed contract to the lender, manage the valuation and answer its questions until the loan is approved.

Settlement and the keys

We check the loan documents with you and work with your conveyancer up to settlement. Then you move in.

Book a free first home chat

Bought before? Our home loan broker page covers every purchase.

Enter the market with confidence

Many first home buyers walk into their first home loan without knowing how it works, and that suits the banks. We wrote this guide to change that. Here’s what you’ll get inside:

Hidden “ghost fees” and how to spot them

Strategies to cut years off your loan

No jargon. No fluff. Just clarity

Walk into your home loan, confident, and impossible to push around. Let us help you kickstart your journey.

Rush me a free copy right now!

How much money can I borrow for my first home?

Use our borrowing power calculator below to estimate how much you could borrow. A lender’s own assessment decides the final figure.

More personalized (free) information!

No pressure, and no credit check to talk to us.

Still got questions?

First home buyer questions, answered

How much deposit do I actually need to buy my first home?

Less than 20 per cent. A 20 per cent deposit avoids LMI at most lenders, but under the 5% Deposit Scheme eligible first home buyers need 5 per cent and pay no lenders mortgage insurance, and single parents or legal guardians can buy with 2 per cent. You also need cash for purchase costs: stamp duty unless you qualify for relief, legal fees and inspections.

What government grants can I get as a first home buyer?

It depends on your state and on whether the home is new. In South Australia the First Home Owner Grant is up to $15,000 on a new home, and first home buyers pay no stamp duty on a new home, an off-the-plan home or vacant land. On a $650,000 new home that is $29,580 of duty saved, plus the grant. Each state sets its own grant and duty rules, so we check yours as part of your application. Buying in Adelaide? See our Adelaide home loans page. The 5% Deposit Scheme and the First Home Super Saver Scheme apply in every state.

What is Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), and can I avoid it?

LMI is a one-off premium that protects the lender, not you, when your deposit is under 20 per cent. It is usually added to the loan. You can avoid it through the 5% Deposit Scheme, with a family guarantee at lenders that offer one, or with a professional LMI waiver if your occupation qualifies. We compare the cost of each route for your situation.

What is a Guarantor Loan, and is it a good idea for first home buyers?

A family guarantee lets a parent or close relative use the equity in their own home as extra security for part of your loan. At lenders that offer it, you can buy with a small deposit, or none, without paying LMI. The guarantor is liable for the guaranteed amount if you cannot pay, so they should get independent legal advice first. The guarantee can usually be released once your loan falls to about 80 per cent of the property value.

What happens if I don’t find a property before my pre-approval expires?

Each lender sets how long its pre-approval lasts. Under the 5% Deposit Scheme you have 90 days from pre-approval to sign a contract of sale. If yours runs out, we ask the lender to renew it with up-to-date payslips and bank statements, so you can keep making offers.

Can Loanity help me if I’m self employed or have non-standard income?

Yes. Some lenders specialise in self-employed, contractor and casual income, and accept tax returns and notices of assessment, BAS statements or, for a low doc loan, an accountant’s declaration. The 5% Deposit Scheme is open to self-employed buyers too, as long as the lender approves the loan. We match your documents to a lender that accepts them. Book a free consultation to go through yours.

Which mortgage company is best for first time home buyers?

There is no single best lender. The right one depends on your deposit, your income type, the property and whether you are using the 5% Deposit Scheme, which only its Participating Lenders can offer. A broker compares lenders on these points for you. If you have bought before, our home loan broker page covers any purchase.

Is it worth paying a mortgage broker?

Most first home buyers pay us nothing: the lender pays us a commission when the loan settles, and if a fee ever applies we set it out in a Credit Quote before any work starts. The value is in matching your deposit and income to a lender’s policy and in using every scheme you are eligible for.

What loan is best for first time home buyers?

Usually a principal and interest loan for a home you live in, which is also what the 5% Deposit Scheme requires. Then you choose variable, fixed or a split, and whether you want an offset account or redraw. Low deposit and guarantor options change how much you need up front, not the type of loan.

Can I buy a house with a $20,000 deposit?

Possibly. Under the 5% Deposit Scheme, $20,000 is 5 per cent of a $400,000 home. You also need money for purchase costs: in South Australia, stamp duty on a $400,000 established home is $16,330, but nothing on a new home if you qualify for first home buyer relief.

What salary do you need for a $500,000 loan?

There is no single figure. Repayments on $500,000 over 30 years at 6.2 per cent are about $3,062 a month. Lenders also check that you could keep paying at about 3 percentage points higher, roughly $4,095 a month, after your other debts and living costs. The borrowing power calculator above gives an estimate for your own numbers.

Can I use the 5% Deposit Scheme with a friend or family member?

Yes. You can apply on your own or jointly with one other person, such as a partner, friend or family member, as long as you both meet the eligibility rules. The loan must be for a home one of you will live in, with principal and interest repayments.

Stop waiting.
Start owning.

Your first home is within reach. You just need the right plan and an expert guide.

Book a free first home strategy session