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Competitive Home Loan Rates with Non-Bank Lenders
Looking for an alternative to the big banks? Compare some of Australia's lowest interest rate home loans with non-bank lenders.
UBank OO 3 Year Fixed
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Limited time only. Apply by April 29 2021. Application to be settled within 90 days in order to be eligible. ~ Ends in 2 months
Fix the interest rate on your owner occupier home loan for up to three years and pay no ongoing fees.
Advertised Rate 1.99% Intro 12 months | Comparison Rate* 2.47% | Company Promoted ![]() | Repayment $1,343 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | The 12-month interest rate discount could give you more breathing room in your household budget, or make a head start on paying off your home sooner. | Winner of Best refinance home loan, Best variable, RateCity Gold Awards 2021 More details | ||
Advertised Rate 2.48% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.50% | Company Promoted ![]() | Repayment $1,343 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | A competitive rate from a non-bank designed to help Aussie homeowners take control of their home loan repayments. More details | |||
Advertised Rate 2.09% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.12% | Company ![]() | Repayment $1,285 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 70% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | |||
Advertised Rate 2.09% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.13% | Company ![]() | Repayment $1,285 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | |||
Advertised Rate 2.14% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.16% | Company ![]() | Repayment $1,292 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 60% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | |||
Advertised Rate 2.19% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.19% | Company ![]() | Repayment $1,299 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 60% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | Winner of Best refinance home loan, RateCity Gold Awards 2021 More details | |||
Advertised Rate 2.29% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.23% | Company ![]() | Repayment $1,314 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | |||
Advertised Rate 2.24% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.26% | Company ![]() | Repayment $1,307 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | |||
Advertised Rate 2.44% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.27% | Company ![]() | Repayment $610 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 60% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | |||
Advertised Rate 2.29% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.31% | Company ![]() | Repayment $1,314 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 60% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | |||
Advertised Rate 2.54% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.37% | Company ![]() | Repayment $635 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | |||
Product | Advertised Rate 2.19% Fixed - 3 years | Comparison Rate* 2.40% | Company ![]() | Repayment $1,299 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | ||
Advertised Rate 2.39% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.41% | Company ![]() | Repayment $1,329 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | |||
Advertised Rate 2.59% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.42% | Company ![]() | Repayment $648 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 60% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | |||
Product | Advertised Rate 2.44% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.49% | Company ![]() | Repayment $1,337 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 70% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | ||
Advertised Rate 2.69% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.52% | Company ![]() | Repayment $673 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | |||
Advertised Rate 2.64% Variable | Comparison Rate* 2.59% | Company ![]() | Repayment $1,367 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | |||
Product | Advertised Rate 3.29% Variable | Comparison Rate* 3.49% | Company ![]() | Repayment $1,468 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 85% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | ||
Advertised Rate 3.39% Variable | Comparison Rate* 3.63% | Company ![]() | Repayment $1,484 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 60% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details | |||
Product | Advertised Rate 4.85% Variable | Comparison Rate* 5.28% | Company ![]() | Repayment $1,728 monthly | Features Redraw facility Offset Account Borrow up to 80% Extra Repayments Interest Only Owner Occupied | Go to site | More details |
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Home loans from non-bank lenders
In the 1980s the banking sector in Australia was deregulated. Prior to this you could only get home loans from banks, building societies and credit unions. As a result it was difficult for Australians with a poor credit history and those on a low income to buy a home. After deregulation a number of non-bank lenders were able to start offering home loans at very competitive interest rates, often below those made available by the regular financial institutions. Homebuyers began to benefit from this competitive market as the banks were forced to lower their rates.
What are non-bank lenders?
Non-bank lenders include insurance companies, investment banks, mortgage brokers and mortgage originators among others. While they don’t hold a banking licence as such, nevertheless they are subject to the same banking regulations and laws as licensed financial institutions according to the Consumer Credit Code and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). ASIC requires all lenders to disclose all rates and fees pertaining to their products and to make this information easily available to consumers. The Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) operates slightly differently in that it oversees banks for the sole purpose of ensuring that they keep to any financial promises they make.
How do non-bank lenders operate?
As privately owned non-mutual organisations, non-bank lenders usually rely on selling on their products in large quantities to be retailed by others. Compared to banks their services are restricted, however, they do include provision of bad credit loans, home loans, reverse mortgages, low doc loans and line of credit loans. Unlike regular banks, there are no additional features such as transaction accounts or credit cards.
Why opt for home loans from non-bank lenders?
Non-bank lenders provide some advantages if you are searching for a good deal as your provider can be more flexible in terms of the fees and the interest rates they charge. This results in banks lowering rates to remain competitive and you, the consumer, benefit by sourcing more affordable home loans from a variety of financial institutions.
When comparing home loans use the same criteria for non-bank lenders as for any other lender. Check your eligibility, the fees involved, the interest rates and whether the loan features are a good fit for your financial needs.
What are the rewards and risks?
Home loans from non-bankers provide a reward for customers in that they offer flexible interest rates and great levels of service. They have become enormously popular because of this, and also because some people are dissatisfied with their experiences of banks. Non-bank lenders are conscious of the fact that many dissatisfied consumers often turn to them for an improved customer service.
One thing to be aware of if you are considering home loans from non-bank lenders is that there may be inconsistencies when it comes to passing on interest rate changes. As they have a mix of private funding and funding via banks, for example if they are managing mortgages, the rate changes could vary considerably.
Nick Bendel
Property Personal Finance Writer
A property and personal finance writer, Nick Bendel covers property, loans, credit cards, superannuation, and other bank products. Nick has previously written for The Adviser, Mortgage Business, Lifehacker, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, and InvestorDaily, and loves getting elbow-deep in the latest ABS, APRA and RBA data.
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Frequently asked questions
Do the big four banks have guarantor home loans?
Yes, ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac all offer guarantor home loans. These mortgages are also offered by many other banks, credit unions and building societies.
How do I apply for a home loan pre-approval from Commonwealth Bank?
To apply for a Commbank home loan pre-approval, you can either call the bank at 13 2224 or meet one of the bank’s lending specialists. You can set up a meeting online if you wish. You’ll need to do some homework before contacting the bank, such as gathering information on the kind of properties you’d like to buy and their prices.
Preparing a financial summary, which lists all your income sources as well as significant expenses, can also help determine how much you can afford to borrow. You may also want to check your credit score before applying for pre-approval.
It’s worth remembering that a CBA home loan pre-approval doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get the loan. Once you get the pre-approval, you’ll have about three to six months to decide on a property and apply for the home loan. The bank will then confirm that the property is suitable for the loan before fully approving it.
Should I apply for a NAB home loan pre-approval?
Buying a new home is an exciting event in anybody’s life. Getting pre-approval means you know what you can afford so you don’t waste time looking at properties outside your budget. With a NAB Bank home loan pre-approval, you can look for your new home with confidence. The lender knows you’re serious about the purchase and also exhibits a willingness to lend you money.
Applying for a NAB home loan pre-approval is relatively straightforward. You might be asked to provide proof of employment and income, details of any savings as well as any on-going debts. NAB may also conduct a credit check on you to see if you’d be a risky borrower. If NAB offers you pre-approval after these checks, you’ll know how much money they’re willing to lend you. The NAB Bank home loan pre-approval is valid for 90 days from application, so don’t apply too early and be aware of this when looking for a property. If your pre-approval expires before you find a property you’ll need to reapply.
You can apply online for NAB home loan pre-approval, visit your nearest NAB branch, call on 13 79 79, or set up an appointment. If you choose to book an appointment, it can be done in person, via video, over a call or you can have a NAB Bank representative visit you.
Why should I get a Bankwest pre-approval home loan?
A Bankwest pre-approval home loan will give you a clear idea of how much you can afford to borrow, thus ensuring you restrict your search to houses within your budget. Not only will you save time, but you can also avoid a potential financial disaster if you happen to make an offer or a down-payment on a property and then realise you can’t afford it. A Bankwest pre-approval home loan can also tell the seller that you're serious about the purchase.
At the time of applying for a Bankwest pre-approval home loan, you will need to provide proof of ID, evidence of employment and regular income, details on your expenses, as well as any on-going debts. The lender might make enquiries about your credit rating too. Once you’re pre-approved, you will receive intimation on how much money Bankwest is willing to lend you.
Can I salary sacrifice my home loan?
You can pay for your home loan straight from your pre-tax salary by salary sacrificing. Of course, this will depend on your employer’s policy.
Salary sacrifice for home loans is offered exclusively for owner-occupied properties, so it cannot be used for investments.
Your employer may need to pay Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT), but non-profit organisations are exempt from this tax up to a certain limit. Some organisations may charge you an administrative fee to set this up.
Keep in mind not all lenders accept salary sacrifice payments on your mortgage. Some lenders, like NAB, accept salary sacrificing for home loans.
Salary sacrificing won’t work for everyone, but in certain circumstances there are benefits to paying your home loan from your pre-tax income. These include reduced tax liability and potentially paying off your home loan quicker.
What are the benefits of getting a pre-approved home loan from Citibank?
While hunting for your dream home, getting a Citibank home loan pre-approval can have multiple benefits, which include:
- You'll have an idea on your personal price range, which can save time to find your home.
- With a pre-approved home loan, you may find yourself with more financial control to better decide how much you can spend.
- A Citibank pre-approved home loan is a commitment by a lender that signals you're ready to jump into the property market.
You can apply for pre-approval by providing basic details, such as name, email, and phone number on the bank’s website. Alternatively, you can contact the bank on 1300 361 922 or find a home lending officer on the website.
How to apply for ANZ home loan during maternity leave?
Qualifying for an ANZ home loan while you’re on maternity leave may require some research.
Much like other home loan applications, you'll need to be able to show the lenders that you’ll be able to pay the mortgage instalments on time, even during maternity leave, which can improve chances of your home loan being approved. Your chances improve if you have savings, home equity, or if you receive any government-related benefits.
You’ll likely need to provide no less than three payslips you received before the start of your maternity leave and a letter from your employer, with the letter stating the maternity leave terms such as the date on which you’ll return to work and the kind of employment (full-time, part-time, or casual) when you resume.
Your lender will likely consider the tenure of your maternity leave while assessing your loan application. Lenders also prefer if you are paid while on maternity leave; however, you may receive only half your salary, so the lender may not consider your regular income to determine the loan amount.
How much deposit do I need for a home loan from ANZ?
Like other mortgage lenders, ANZ often prefers a home loan deposit of 20 per cent or more of the property value when you’re applying for a home loan. It may be possible to get a home loan with a smaller deposit of 10 per cent or even 5 per cent, but there are a few reasons to consider saving a larger deposit if possible:
- A larger deposit tells a lender that you’re a great saver, which could help increase the chances of your home loan application getting approved.
- The more money you pay as a deposit, the less you’ll have to borrow in your home loan. This could mean paying off your loan sooner, and being charged less total interest.
- If your deposit is less than 20 per cent of the property value, you might incur additional costs, such as Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
How long does NAB home loan approval take?
The time required to get your home loan from NAB approved can vary based on a number of factors involved in the application process.
Once you have applied for a home loan, a NAB specialist will contact you within 24 hours over the phone to take down relevant information, including your total income, debts (existing loans, credit cards, etc.), assets (car, shares, etc.), and your monthly expenses (food, utility bills, etc.). Your lender might also ask for information related to the property you want to purchase, including the type of dwelling and preferred postcode.
NAB will then verify all your information and check your credit score, and if the details stack up, you should be given a conditional approval certificate. This certificate stipulates how much money NAB is willing to lend you and is typically valid for 90 days.
Once you have your conditional approval, you can start browsing for properties that you like and that fit within the budget that NAB has provided. After you find a suitable property, you’ll need to give a copy of the signed deed to NAB, following which you should get full approval and access to the funds. This process can take up to 4-6 weeks.
How much deposit do I need for a home loan from NAB?
The right deposit size to get a home loan with an Australian lender will depend on the lender’s eligibility criteria and the value of your property.
Generally, lenders look favourably on applicants who save up a 20 per cent deposit for their property This also means applicants do not have to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). However, you may still be able to obtain a mortgage with a 10 - 15 per cent deposit.
Keep in mind that NAB is one of the participating lenders for the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, which allows eligible borrowers to buy a property with as low as a 5 per cent deposit without paying the LMI. The Federal Government guarantees up to 15 per cent of the deposit to help first-timers to become homeowners.
How can I get a home loan with bad credit?
If you want to get a home loan with bad credit, you need to convince a lender that your problems are behind you and that you will, indeed, be able to repay a mortgage.
One step you might want to take is to visit a mortgage broker who specialises in bad credit home loans (also known as ‘non-conforming home loans’ or ‘sub-prime home loans’). An experienced broker will know which lenders to approach, and how to plead your case with each of them.
Two points to bear in mind are:
- Many home loan lenders don’t provide bad credit mortgages
- Each lender has its own policies, and therefore favours different things
If you’d prefer to directly approach the lender yourself, you’re more likely to find success with smaller non-bank lenders that specialise in bad credit home loans (as opposed to bigger banks that prefer ‘vanilla’ mortgages). That’s because these smaller lenders are more likely to treat you as a unique individual rather than judge you according to a one-size-fits-all policy.
Lenders try to minimise their risk, so if you want to get a home loan with bad credit, you need to do everything you can to convince lenders that you’re safer than your credit history might suggest. If possible, provide paperwork that shows:
- You have a secure job
- You have a steady income
- You’ve been reducing your debts
- You’ve been increasing your savings
What do mortgage brokers do?
Mortgage brokers are finance professionals who help borrowers organise home loans with lenders. As such, they act as middlemen between borrowers and lenders.
While bank staff recommend home loan products only from their own employer, brokers are independent, so they can recommend products from a range of institutions.
Brokers need to be accredited with a particular lender to be able to work with that lender. A typical broker will be accredited with anywhere from 10 to 30 lenders – the big four banks, as well as a range of smaller banks, credit unions and non-bank lenders.
As a general rule, brokers don’t charge consumers for their services; instead, they receive commissions from lenders whenever they place a borrower with that institution.
Does Westpac offer loan maternity leave options?
Having a baby or planning for one can bring about a lot of changes in your life, including to the hip pocket. You may need to re-do the budget to make sure you can afford the upcoming expenses, especially if one partner is taking parental leave to look after the little one.
Some families find it difficult to meet their home loan repayment obligations during this period. Flexible options, such as the Westpac home loan maternity leave offerings, have been put together to help reduce the pressure of repayments during parental leave.
Westpac offers a couple of choices, depending on your circumstances:
- Parental Leave Mortgage Repayment Reduction: You could get your home loan repayments reduced for up to 12 months for home loans with a term longer than a year.
- Mortgage Repayment Pause: You can pause repayments while on maternity leave, provided you’ve made additional repayments earlier.
When applying for a home loan while pregnant, Westpac has said it will recognise paid maternity leave and back-to-work salaries. All you need is a letter from your employer verifying your return-to-work date and the nature of your employment. Your partner’s income, government entitlements, savings and investments will may help your application.
Can I get a NAB home loan on casual employment?
While many lenders consider casual employees as high-risk borrowers because of their fluctuating incomes, there are a few specialist lenders, such as NAB, which may provide home loans to individuals employed on a casual basis. A NAB home loan for casual employment is essentially a low doc home loan specifically designed to help casually employed individuals who may be unable to provide standard financial documents. However, since such loans are deemed high risk compared to regular home loans, you could be charged higher rates and receive lower maximum LVRs (Loan to Value Ratio, which is the loan amount you can borrow against the value of the property).
While applying for a home loan as a casual employee, you will likely be asked to demonstrate that you've been working steadily and might need to provide group certificates for the last two years. It is at the lender’s discretion to pick either of the two group certificates and consider that to be your income. If you’ve not had the same job for several years, providing proof of income could be a bit of a challenge for you. In this scenario, some lenders may rely on your year to date (YTD) income, and instead calculate your yearly income from that.
Can I apply for an ANZ non-resident home loan?
You may be eligible to apply for an ANZ non-resident home loan only if you meet the following two conditions:
- You hold a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa or its predecessor, the Temporary Skilled Work (subclass 457) visa.
- Your job is included in the Australian government’s Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List.
However, non-resident home loan applications may need Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval in addition to meeting ANZ’s Mortgage Credit Requirements. Also, they may not be eligible for loans that require paying for Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI). As a result, you may not be able to borrow more than 80 per cent of your home’s value. However, you can apply as a co-borrower with your spouse if they are a citizen of either Australia or New Zealand, or are a permanent resident.
Remaining loan term
The length of time it will take to pay off your current home loan, based on the currently-entered mortgage balance, monthly repayment and interest rate.
How long does Bankwest take to approve home loans?
Full approval for a home loan usually involves a property valuation, which, Bankwest suggests, can take “a week or two”. As a result, getting your home loan approved may take longer. However, you may get full approval within this time if you applied for and received conditional approval, sometimes called a pre-approval, from Bankwest before finalising the home you want to buy.
Another way of speeding up approvals can be by completing, signing, and submitting your home loan application digitally. Essentially, you give the bank or your mortgage broker a copy of your home’s sale contract and then complete the rest of the steps online. Bankwest has claimed this cuts the approval time to less than four days, although this may only happen if your income and credit history can be verified easily, or if your home’s valuation doesn’t take time.
How do I get a Suncorp home loan pre-approval?
Getting home loan pre-approval helps you work out a budget to help you search for a suitable property and make an offer with confidence. Once you put in an application, you should get your pre-approval outcome within two business days. To help get a fast turnaround time of your pre-approval application, ensure all the information and documentation that Suncorp requires. This includes proof of identification, recent payslips, bank account and credit card statements.
You can submit the home loan pre-approval application online. You’ll be asked for information about your income, expenses, assets, and debts. It should take you about 10 minutes to fill out the application, and you can do it free of charge. A Suncorp lending specialist will review your application and contact you within 24 hours or the next working day. Suncorp will not run a credit check until you have heard from this lending specialist.
Once you get Suncorp home loan pre-approval, it’s valid for 90 days. If you don’t find a property you wish to buy in this time you may be able to apply for an extension, speak to your Suncorp lending specialist about this.
How can I get ANZ home loan pre-approval?
Shopping for a new home is an exciting experience and getting a pre-approval on the loan may give you the peace of mind that you are looking at properties within your budget.
At the time of applying for the ANZ Bank home loan pre-approval, you will be required to provide proof of employment and income, along with records of your savings and debts.
An ANZ home loan pre-approval time frame is usually up to three months. However, being pre-approved doesn’t necessarily mean you will get your home loan. Other factors could lead to your home loan application being rejected, even with a prior pre-approval. Some factors include the property evaluation not meeting the bank’s criteria or a change in your financial circumstances.
You can make an application for ANZ home loan pre-approval online or call on 1800100641 Mon-Fri 8.00 am to 8.00 pm (AEST).
How do I get a pre-approved home loan with Aussie?
Getting Aussie home loan pre-approval means receiving conditional support from Aussie Home Loans to borrow the money you need to buy a home.
It’s an indication of the approximate amount Aussie may offer you, subject to some terms and conditions. Keep in mind, having a pre-approved home loan does not guarantee an actual approval of your loan when it comes time to buy.
Aussie home loan pre-approval often involves speaking to one of the lender’s brokers. You can make an appointment online. You’ll often have to submit your personal details and other information about your assets, income, liabilities and expenses. It’s worth remembering that a pre-approved loan is usually valid for a few months.







