9 February 2026 - 5 min read
Key takeaways
- Start with a clear understanding of your budget
- Before looking for your new home, lock in conditional approval with a lender you feel you can trust
- Familiarise yourself with how auctions and private house sales work
- Use our tips and checklists when house -hunting, buying and settling.
Questions answered
What type of home loan should I get?
Your home loan’s going to be with you for a while, so go with a lender you’ve heard offers value for money and a good track record for before and after service. You have a choice of many lenders, but here are some of the features available to Westpac customers:
- Apply online. It should only take around 20 minutes. Or call us.
- Track your application. Follow your progress online and get notifications.
- One point of contact. You’ll be assigned a home finance manager who’ll call to answer your questions and move things forward.
- Getting ahead. We genuinely want you to own your property sooner. That’s why our fixed loans give you a $30k prepayment limit², and our variable loans come with unlimited extra repayments. Our Rocket Repay loan also comes with a full offset account that if funded, may help reduce the interest you pay.
- Financial breathing space. If you’re ahead on your repayments, you’re free to redraw the extra amount you’ve paid with no redraw fee.³ You ccould also apply for Reduced Repayments to lower your variable loan’s principal and interest repayments for a while.⁴
- You’re in control. Our customer hub lets you know how to use the Westpac App and Online Banking to check your rate, change repayments, redraw, download statements, and more.
- More than just our rates. We’re here for our customers during life’s tough times, including job loss support and disaster relief.
Our choice of home loans
With Westpac, you can choose from three main types of home loan:
- Rocket Repay Home Loan. Offers a standard variable rate and gives you handy features such as a 100% offset account and redraw facility.
- Fixed Options Home Loan. Gives you certainty over your repayments, lets you lock in our fixed rate for 1-5 years, and has a $30k limit on extra repayments, as well as redraw.
- Flexi First Option Home Loan. Provides a basic loan with our lowest variable rate, plus unlimited extra repayments so you can get ahead, and redraw.
Both Rocket Repay and Fixed Options can be packaged for an interest rate discount, fee waivers and savings on a range of products – all for a $395 annual fee.⁵ You can also split your loan balance into separate fixed rate and variable rate accounts.
If you need help choosing the right loan for your circumstances, book an appointment with one of our dedicated property finance professionals.
How do I get a home loan?
You have four ways to apply for a Westpac home loan.
1) Apply online and track your application
You can submit a home loan application online for both conditional and full approval and track it all the way to settlement. Applying should only take around 20 minutes, after which you’ll be assigned a home finance manager.
2) Have a lender call you back
If you’d prefer us to complete your application, request a call back. This is the best way to apply if you plan to build a new home.
3) Apply through your broker
If you’d prefer to use a Westpac-affiliated broker, they’ll guide you through your application and answer your questions.
4) Apply in-branch
Locate a branch to call it directly and arrange a meeting.
Application tips as a potential buyer
- Being a first-time home buyer, you’ll need to show us proof that you’ve been consistently saving for a deposit (by providing statements) or making timely rent repayments (e.g. by providing a continuous 6-month rental payment history).
- To improve your credit score, it may be worth paying off any large credit card debts or personal loans before you apply.
- You can have up to two borrowers on a Westpac home loan. If you’re applying online, having the other borrower join the application can speed up the process.
Conditional approval
We can only provide confirmed finance once you’ve chosen a property we can value and approve. But we can give you conditional approval (also known as pre-approval, indicative approval or approval-in-principle) for a certain amount, based on the financial information you supply when applying. Conditional approval:
- confirms the deposit you’ll need and the most you could borrow
- gives you the confidence to bid at auction or make an offer
- means you’ll be treated as a serious buyer by agents
- includes a credit report check (after you’ve spoken with a home finance manager), and
- is valid for 90 days.
What type of home loan should I get?
Your home loan’s going to be with you for a while, so go with a lender you’ve heard offers value for money and a good track record for before and after service. You have a choice of many lenders, but here are some of the features available to Westpac customers:
- Apply online. It should only take around 20 minutes. Or call us.
- Track your application. Follow your progress online and get notifications.
- One point of contact. You’ll be assigned a home finance manager who’ll call to answer your questions and move things forward.
- Getting ahead. We genuinely want you to own your property sooner. That’s why our fixed loans give you a $30k prepayment limit², and our variable loans come with unlimited extra repayments. Our Rocket Repay loan also comes with a full offset account that if funded, may help reduce the interest you pay.
- Financial breathing space. If you’re ahead on your repayments, you’re free to redraw the extra amount you’ve paid with no redraw fee.³ You ccould also apply for Reduced Repayments to lower your variable loan’s principal and interest repayments for a while.⁴
- You’re in control. Our customer hub lets you know how to use the Westpac App and Online Banking to check your rate, change repayments, redraw, download statements, and more.
- More than just our rates. We’re here for our customers during life’s tough times, including job loss support and disaster relief.
Our choice of home loans
With Westpac, you can choose from three main types of home loan:
- Rocket Repay Home Loan. Offers a standard variable rate and gives you handy features such as a 100% offset account and redraw facility.
- Fixed Options Home Loan. Gives you certainty over your repayments, lets you lock in our fixed rate for 1-5 years, and has a $30k limit on extra repayments, as well as redraw.
- Flexi First Option Home Loan. Provides a basic loan with our lowest variable rate, plus unlimited extra repayments so you can get ahead, and redraw.
Both Rocket Repay and Fixed Options can be packaged for an interest rate discount, fee waivers and savings on a range of products – all for a $395 annual fee.⁵ You can also split your loan balance into separate fixed rate and variable rate accounts.
If you need help choosing the right loan for your circumstances, book an appointment with one of our dedicated property finance professionals.
How do I get a home loan?
You have four ways to apply for a Westpac home loan.
1) Apply online and track your application
You can submit a home loan application online for both conditional and full approval and track it all the way to settlement. Applying should only take around 20 minutes, after which you’ll be assigned a home finance manager.
2) Have a lender call you back
If you’d prefer us to complete your application, request a call back. This is the best way to apply if you plan to build a new home.
3) Apply through your broker
If you’d prefer to use a Westpac-affiliated broker, they’ll guide you through your application and answer your questions.
4) Apply in-branch
Locate a branch to call it directly and arrange a meeting.
Application tips as a potential buyer
- Being a first-time home buyer, you’ll need to show us proof that you’ve been consistently saving for a deposit (by providing statements) or making timely rent repayments (e.g. by providing a continuous 6-month rental payment history).
- To improve your credit score, it may be worth paying off any large credit card debts or personal loans before you apply.
- You can have up to two borrowers on a Westpac home loan. If you’re applying online, having the other borrower join the application can speed up the process.
Conditional approval
We can only provide confirmed finance once you’ve chosen a property we can value and approve. But we can give you conditional approval (also known as pre-approval, indicative approval or approval-in-principle) for a certain amount, based on the financial information you supply when applying. Conditional approval:
- confirms the deposit you’ll need and the most you could borrow
- gives you the confidence to bid at auction or make an offer
- means you’ll be treated as a serious buyer by agents
- includes a credit report check (after you’ve spoken with a home finance manager), and
- is valid for 90 days.
How much can I afford for my new home?
First things first. Knowing the most you’re able to pay for your new home can help avoid costly mistakes and the frustration of:
- house hunting out of your range, or
- cautiously compromising on rooms, location, property size or nice-to-haves.
It comes down to a simple equation, which we’ll take you through element by element:
Your deposit + what you can borrow + grants and concessions – costs and fees
= your budget
Now let’s explore each part of the equation.
1. Your deposit
Your deposit is the amount you’re able to pay from your savings accounts or other resources, with the rest normally borrowed as a home loan. It shouldn’t be confused with the ‘deposit’ you’ll need to pay if successful with an offer or an auction bid.
Generally, you need to have at least a 20% deposit to buy a property – that is a fifth of its value based on your bank's valuation. If you don’t quite have enough, you may have some options:
- Check which grants and concessions you're eligible for (see below). They vary by state and territory.
- Pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) on top of your deposit, or include it in your home loan amount. Our upfront costs calculator estimates how much LMI and stamp duty you might need to pay as part of your costs and fees (see below).
- Consider our Family Security Guarantee¹, where a family member could save you from paying LMI.
- Continue to save more. Our Home saver calculator helps you estimate how long it’ll take.
- See which Westpac-supported opportunity you may be eligible for, including LMI waiver for professionals.
2. What you can borrow
Your income and expenses are two of the main considerations for any lender, so having a strong savings history with minimal credit card debt or other loans could help. Ask yourself the big questions, such as ‘how much will I be able to repay every month?’ and ‘will I be able to afford these repayments if interest rates rise?’ (they reached 7.25% p.a. back in 2008).
Here are some helpful tools:
- Affordability calculator – based on what you’d feel comfortable repaying
- Maximum loan calculator – the most we may be able to lend you based on your expenses, income, debts and assets
- Repayment calculator – as a general rule of thumb, your monthly repayments shouldn’t be more than 1/3 of your gross monthly income.
Check if you’re eligible for any of these opportunities:
3. Grants and concessions
Depending on your personal circumstances, you may be able to apply for government assistance.
- The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS): Eligible first home buyers can withdraw some of their voluntary super contributions to put towards a home deposit.
- The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG): A one-off amount paid to first-time buyers. Check with your state or territory government: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
- First home buyers could also access stamp duty exemptions, concessions or reductions. Again, check which apply in your state or territory: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
- Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme: This is for first home buyers with a minimum 5% deposit, or single parents with a minimum of 2%. In both cases, no Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is required. Find out more.
At the time of settlement, Westpac or your broker will organise and lodge First Home Owner Grants for our loan customers. Stamp duty concessions are generally lodged by your conveyancer or solicitor.
4. Costs and fees
The last part of the buying budget equation involves working out the upfront and additional costs you’ll need funds for. They may include:
- Stamp duty. This is a government tax on transactions and is an upfront cost. Therefore, it can’t come out of your home loan.
- Government charges. These may include things such as Transfer Duty, the Mortgage Registration Fee and a Land Transfer fee, if applicable.
- Solicitor or conveyancer. Their services can include an initial review of a Contract of Sale, and the full process to settlement if you go ahead.
- Building reports and pest inspections. Are worth carrying out before you buy.
Our cost calculator helps estimate the above for you.
- Bank fees/loan set-up costs. Can include an establishment, valuation and settlement fee. Your lender will give you a quote.
- Insurance. Home & contents insurance typically provides cover against loss or damage caused by flood, fire, storm, theft and more. You may need Building (Home) insurance as part of your home loan agreement.
- Independent advice. You may need to discuss your financial situation with an accountant.
- Other costs. Including removalists and the cost of breaking a rental lease early if applicable.
There will be ongoing costs too, such as council rates, land tax, strata fees if applicable, and annual insurance. You should factor these in when calculating the size of loan you can afford to repay.