We compare 40+ lenders, handle all the paperwork, and make sure you access every grant and scheme you're entitled to. Our service is completely free to you.
Find out exactly what you qualify for — in 15 minutes. No obligation.
"Felt well-supported every step of the way." — Legolas & Cynthia
No spam. No obligation. We call within 1 business day.
Real clients, real results
"My fiancé and I are first home buyers with a small deposit and I had only been in my job for a few months. A lot of banks wouldn't even look at us, but Tom knew exactly what to do. He helped us with the First Home Guarantee Scheme and got us the best possible rate. We're now excited homeowners."
"Fantastic service from Tom! As a first home buyer, I really appreciated the detailed explanations throughout the process. I felt well-supported and informed every step of the way."
"We just got our first house with the help of Michael. He is very knowledgeable and responds to all questions very quickly. He is thorough, knows all the details, and will get you a good interest rate. His patience and wisdom were highly appreciated."
Government support
As of 1 October 2025, the Australian Government significantly expanded its first home buyer support. Here's what it means for you.
Buy with just 5% deposit and pay zero Lenders Mortgage Insurance. The government guarantees the gap to the lender — saving you $5,000–$25,000 in LMI costs.
A one-off payment from your state government for eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new home. Separate from the federal scheme — you can access both.
| State | Capital city & regional centres | Other regional areas |
|---|---|---|
| VIC | $800,000 | $650,000 |
| NSW | $900,000 | $750,000 |
| QLD | $700,000 | $550,000 |
| SA | $600,000 | $450,000 |
| WA | $600,000 | $450,000 |
| TAS | $600,000 | $450,000 |
| ACT | $750,000 | — |
| NT | $600,000 | — |
If your property price exceeds the cap for your area you cannot use the scheme, even if your deposit percentage is correct. We check this in your first call.
Not sure if you qualify? We'll confirm your eligibility for the scheme, identify any grants, and check stamp duty concessions for your state — all in a free 15-minute call.
Check my eligibility — freeHow we help
Most first home buyers don't know what they're entitled to until it's too late. We make sure you don't miss a thing.
We assess your deposit, income, and savings. You'll know your borrowing range, which schemes apply, and what grants you're entitled to — before you spend a cent.
We compare 40+ lenders on rate, policy, and scheme participation. Pre-approval typically takes 3–7 business days and gives you a clear budget before you start house hunting.
We confirm whether any property you're considering falls within the scheme price caps. Make offers with confidence, knowing your finance is in order.
After you sign contracts, we submit for formal approval, liaise with your conveyancer, and manage the lender through to settlement. Your FHOG is typically paid at this stage.
You move in. We stay in touch — reviewing your loan when rates change and when you're ready to invest or renovate.
Be prepared
Getting your documents ready before you apply saves time and avoids delays. Here's what most lenders require.
Why choose us
Any broker can submit an application. We make sure it's structured correctly from the start — so you don't miss out on money you're entitled to.
FHOG, 5% Deposit Scheme, stamp duty exemptions — we run through the full list for your state in the first call. Most clients find they qualify for more than they expected.
We access lenders the major banks don't tell you about — credit unions, mutual banks, and non-banks with better rates and more flexible policies for first home buyers.
New to your job, small deposit, on a visa, or buying with a partner on a different income? We've handled every variation — including situations most brokers won't touch.
We are paid a commission by the lender on settlement. There's no charge to you — ever — regardless of whether your application succeeds or takes multiple attempts.
First home buyer guide
Most lenders require a 20% deposit to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). However, under the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, eligible first home buyers can purchase with as little as 5% and pay no LMI at all — because the government guarantees the remaining amount to the lender.
Even outside the scheme, some lenders accept 10% deposits with LMI added to the loan. Your best path depends on your savings, income, and scheme eligibility — which we assess in the first call.
Formerly known as the Home Guarantee Scheme, this federal initiative lets eligible first home buyers purchase with a 5% deposit and pay zero LMI. From 1 October 2025, the scheme was expanded: income caps were removed, places became unlimited, and the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee was folded into the main scheme. This means significantly more Australians are now eligible than in previous years.
Yes — if you qualify for the scheme. The government acts as guarantor for the difference between your deposit and 20%, so the lender doesn't charge LMI. This saves first home buyers anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the property price. If you don't qualify for the scheme, you can still buy with less than 20% — but LMI will apply. A broker can model both scenarios using your numbers.
In Victoria, eligible first home buyers can access the First Home Owner Grant of $10,000 on new homes valued up to $750,000 (or $20,000 in regional Victoria), plus full stamp duty exemption on properties up to $600,000. Concessions apply on a sliding scale between $600,000 and $750,000.
In NSW, the First Home Owner Grant is $10,000 on new homes valued at $600,000 or less. The First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme provides full stamp duty exemption on new and existing homes up to $800,000. The property price cap for the federal 5% Deposit Scheme in Sydney is $900,000.
For most first home buyers, using a broker produces significantly better outcomes than going directly to a bank — for three reasons. First, brokers access dozens of lenders rather than one, and policies vary enormously for non-standard situations. Second, the service is free — brokers are paid by the lender on settlement. Third, brokers handle the paperwork and manage the process, which is considerable for a first application.
Pre-approval typically takes 3–7 business days once you've submitted a complete application. Formal approval after signing contracts usually takes 5–10 business days. Starting pre-approval before you begin house hunting puts you in a much stronger negotiating position when you find the right property.
The 5% Deposit Scheme is only available to Australian citizens and permanent residents. However, temporary visa holders may still purchase property using specialist lenders who assess visa type and income stability. FIRB approval may also be required. We have extensive experience placing loans for visa holders across all major visa types — see our partner visa page for more.
Common questions
Most lenders require a 20% deposit to avoid LMI. Under the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, eligible first home buyers can purchase with as little as 5% with no LMI. Some lenders also accept 10% deposits with LMI added to the loan.
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (formerly the Home Guarantee Scheme) allows eligible first home buyers to purchase with a minimum 5% deposit and pay no LMI. From 1 October 2025, income caps were removed and places became unlimited. The government guarantees the difference between the deposit and 20%, protecting the lender without cost to the buyer.
To be eligible you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, not have owned property in Australia in the last 10 years, intend to live in the property, and purchase within the property price cap for your state. As of October 2025, there are no income caps and no limit on available places.
The FHOG is a one-off state government payment for eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new home. Amounts vary by state: $10,000 in VIC and NSW (regional VIC $20,000), up to $30,000 in QLD (verify current status), $15,000 in SA, $10,000 in WA and TAS. The grant is paid at settlement and can be accessed alongside the federal 5% Deposit Scheme.
Many first home buyers pay reduced or no stamp duty. In VIC, no stamp duty applies on properties up to $600,000. In NSW, first home buyers pay no stamp duty on homes up to $800,000. Concessions vary by state and property type — we confirm your exact position in the first call.
It depends on your circumstances. Saving 20% avoids LMI and reduces your loan size, but takes time — during which property prices may rise. Buying earlier with 5% means entering the market sooner, potentially avoiding further price growth, but LMI may apply unless you use the government scheme. We can model both scenarios with your actual numbers.
Genuine savings refers to funds you have saved yourself over at least 3 months. Most lenders require a portion of your deposit to be genuine savings rather than gifted funds. Some lenders are more flexible — we match you to the right lender for your savings situation.
In most states the FHOG is paid at settlement, not at exchange, so it generally cannot be used as your initial deposit when signing the contract. However, some lenders will factor it into their overall deposit assessment. We clarify how your specific lender treats the grant.
Pre-approval typically takes 3–7 business days from a complete application. Formal approval after signing contracts usually takes 5–10 business days. Complex situations — self-employment, visa holders, non-standard income — may take longer. Getting pre-approval before you start searching puts you in a much stronger position at auction or negotiation.
A mortgage broker accesses 40+ lenders on your behalf and compares rates, policies, and government scheme participation to find the best fit. A bank can only offer its own products. A broker's service is free to the borrower — we're paid by the lender on settlement. For first home buyers, access to multiple lenders and knowledge of government schemes typically produces better outcomes than going directly to a branch.
Ready to take the first step?
Whether you're 6 weeks away from buying or 6 months away from being ready — the best time to talk to a broker is now. We'll map out your path forward at no cost to you.
Available Mon–Fri. South Yarra VIC | North Strathfield NSW | Available nationally by phone & Zoom.