What is a low deposit home loan?
There’s no specific product on the market in Australia called a ‘low deposit home loan’. That said, the standard deposit in Australia is 20% of a property’s purchase price, and anything lower than this could be considered a low deposit.
If you dream of getting a foot on the property ladder but saving a 20% deposit is daunting, don’t despair. These days, many banks and lenders will allow you to purchase a home with a deposit as low as 5%–or even less, with the help of certain government programs.
How do low deposit home loans work?
Low deposit home loans work much the same way as any other home loan in Australia. You’ll need to save up a deposit, apply to a bank or lender, be approved, and then pay the balance of your loan off over an agreed period of time, with interest.
The catch with low deposit home loans is that most lenders will impose stricter conditions than if you had a 20% deposit, and will probably require you to pay costly Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
What is Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)?
LMI is a one-off fee paid by borrowers when taking out a home loan. It acts as a financial safety net for lenders, and covers the cost of specialty insurance that protects them in the event that you can’t pay off your loan.
Banks and lenders will usually charge LMI if your loan to value ratio (LVR) is 80% or more. What does this mean? Your LVR is the portion of the property’s purchase price you’re borrowing. Say you have a 15% deposit saved–you’ll need to borrow the remaining 85% of the purchase price, so your LVR will be 85%.
This is where LMI may kick in, and it can be expensive, running into thousands of dollars. LMI can be paid upfront or rolled into the cost of a home loan but, if you choose the latter option, you’ll need to pay interest on the cost too.
Can you get a low deposit home loan without LMI?
Fortunately, LMI can be avoided with low deposit home loans. Some lenders will allow you to skip it–for instance, ubank doesn’t enforce LMI for borrowers with LVRs as high as 90%. Borrowing with the help of a guarantor (a parent, for example) can also help you avoid LMI.
In other cases, it can come down to your profession or whether you qualify for an Australian Government assistance program like the 5% Deposit Scheme.
LMI waivers for professionals
Some banks and lenders will waive LMI for medical professionals (doctors, dentists, allied health, vets), legal professionals (lawyers and barristers), financial professionals (accountants and actuaries), emergency services workers, and nurses. If you work in one of these professions, you may be able to purchase a property with a low deposit and no LMI.
LMI waivers through the 5% Deposit Scheme
First home buyers and single parents might also be able to dodge the cost of LMI by utilising the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme. The Scheme exists to help eligible borrowers get into their own homes faster, and as a single parent, you could qualify for a home loan with a deposit as low as 2% and still avoid LMI.
Who can apply for low deposit home loans?
Anyone can apply for a low deposit home loan, but if you’re dreaming about home ownership, it's important to know that you’ll need to satisfy a lender that you can pay your loan off.
When you apply for a home loan, lenders will ask you to submit ID documents as well as detailed information about your finances. This will typically take the form of bank statements, payslips (if applicable), tax returns, and other documentation, so they can be satisfied that you have:
- Stable employment and a steady income
- Genuine savings
- Low or no other debts (for example, credit cards, or personal loans)
If you make an application for a low deposit home loan, you'll need to demonstrate you can meet the regular repayments. That means a low deposit home loan may not be suitable for those who are struggling financially.
How can you compare low deposit home loans?
Comparing low deposit home loans is straightforward with Canstar. Just scroll to the top of this page, select your loan purpose, and follow the prompts. We’ll present a selection of mortgage products that might fit your needs.
Alternatively, you can browse products open to borrowers with LVRs of 80% or higher on the table above.



























































