Home loan guides

Plain-English explanations of repayments, borrowing, stamp duty and buying your first home in Australia.

Refinancing $600,000 from 6.75% to 6.10% saves $243 a month and pays back costs in 5 months. When switching is worth it, and when it isn't.

A 0.30% rate cut saves about $113 a month on a $600,000 loan. How to prepare, exactly what to say to your bank, and what to do if it says no.

Variable rates are cheaper at over 90% of lenders and all fixed rates are above 6%. When fixing pays off, with a two-year cost comparison.

The government takes up to 40% of a new home, so you need a 2% deposit and no LMI. 2026-27 income limits, price caps and how buy-back works.

Avoid lenders mortgage insurance with a 20% deposit, the 5% Deposit Scheme, a family guarantee, a profession waiver or Help to Buy.

Lenders mortgage insurance on a $750,000 home is about $14,000 with a 10% deposit. How LMI works, what it costs and what affects the premium.

Buy your first home with a 5% deposit and no LMI. No income cap, unlimited places, price caps from $700,000 to $1.5m. Full 2026 guide.

From 1 August 2026, only citizens, permanent residents and specified retirees can claim Queensland's stamp duty home concessions. What it means.

From 7 May 2026, WA first home buyers pay no duty up to $600,000 and a reduced rate to $800,000. See the new rules and how much you save.

Tasmania's first home buyer stamp duty exemption ended on 30 June 2026. See what you pay now, from $18,248 on $500,000, and the help left.