As home loan costs grow in 2024, Aussie buyers look for a boost

By JP Pelosi · · 2 min read
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Family at a Sydney home

The number of people looking for a helping hand when buying a property has increased in 2024, despite more buyers going solo.

New data from CommBank shows that 40% of first home buyers purchased a property alone rather than with a partner, friend or family member in the first six months of 2024, up from 35% 2019.

But despite this jump, data from the bank also found the proportion of first home buyers using government funded guarantees has increased in recent years. 

Between FY21 and FY24, use of first home buyer guarantees soared 45%, says CommBank.

Executive general manager home buying at CommBank, Michael Baumann says with property prices rising consistently and the current cost of living pressures, it's not surprising to see first home buyers looking at all of the options available to them.

Such options might be in the form of innovative loan types, loan policy or government grants and incentives.

“CommBank is an active participant in all of the different government guarantee schemes, and our network of lenders are well positioned to help first home buyers navigate the process of buying a home and applying for the relevant grants,” Baumann said. 

Rising home costs has seen home loan sizes grow

Across Australia, the national average first home buyer home loan size was $497,692 in FY24, according to CommBank.

The data shows that city-based first home buyers had an average home loan size of $529,642 compared to $403,203 for regional based first home buyers. 

While the average loan size for regionally based first time buyers was lower than those buyers based in the cities, their average loan-to-value-ratio (LVR) was higher.

According to CommBank data, the average LVR for regionally based first time buyers was 86 per cent in FY24 - a touch higher than the 82% average LVR for those first-time buyers who purchased in the cities.

“We know that on average, regional properties are cheaper than metro-based dwellings and often sit on larger land lots – which could be attractive especially for some customer segments,” Baumann said. 

“Given the greater level of housing affordability in the regions, these areas often provide first home buyers with the perfect opportunity to take their first step into the market.”

If you're looking to buy and are ready to get a home loan, be sure to check out some of the top home loans in the Mozo database shown below. 

Last updated 24 May 2025 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*
What are your home loan needs?
Loan purpose
Buying or Refinancing
  • Promoted

    Unloan Variable Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 20% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.49 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.40 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,836
    Go to site
    • RATE CUT NOW LIVE!
    • The first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply)
    • No application or banking fees
  • Promoted

    Variable Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 10% min deposit
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.78 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.82 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,927
    Go to site
    • NRMA Home Loans has confirmed a rate cut of 0.25% p.a. effective 6 June
    • $0 application fee to pay
    • Apply in as little as 15 minutes
  • Promoted

    Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.69 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.70 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,899
    Go to site
    • Regional Australia Bank has confirmed a rate cut of 0.25% p.a. effective 4 June
    • No application and monthly account keeping fees
    • Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply)
  • Promoted

    Fixed Home Loan

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 10% min deposit
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.74 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    5.81 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,915
    Go to site
    • $0 application fee to pay
    • Additional repayments up to $20,000/year
    • Apply in as little as 15 minutes

  • Unloan Variable Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 20% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.49 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.40 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,836
    Go to site
    • RATE CUT NOW LIVE!
    • The first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply)
    • No application or banking fees

  • Fixed Rate Home Loan

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 5% min deposit
    Interest rate
    5.49 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    5.91 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,836
    Go to site
    • No ongoing annual fees
    • Make up to $25,000 extra repayments during a fixed period, fee free (T&Cs apply)
    • Lock in for up to 5 years.

  • Fixed Rate Home Loan

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • Interest only
    • 20% min deposit
    Interest rate
    5.49 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    5.96 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,836
    Go to site
    • Free extra repayments of up to $25,000 during the fixed rate period.
    • Split loan available
    • Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly repayment options

  • Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.69 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.70 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,899
    Go to site
    • Regional Australia Bank has confirmed a rate cut of 0.25% p.a. effective 4 June
    • No application and monthly account keeping fees
    • Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply)

  • Fixed Home Loan

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 5% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    • Cashback
    Interest rate
    5.69 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    6.00 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,899
    Go to site
    • Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply)
    • Up to 12 months repayments in advance without penalties
    • Split loan available

  • OMG Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.74 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.77 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,915
    Go to site
    • BCU Bank has confirmed a rate cut of 0.25% p.a. effective 10 June
    • No ongoing annual fees
    • Pre-approval valid for 3 months

  • Fixed Home Loan

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 10% min deposit
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.74 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    5.81 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,915
    Go to site
    • $0 application fee to pay
    • Additional repayments up to $20,000/year
    • Apply in as little as 15 minutes

  • Variable Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 10% min deposit
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.78 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.82 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,927
    Go to site
    • NRMA Home Loans has confirmed a rate cut of 0.25% p.a. effective 6 June
    • $0 application fee to pay
    • Apply in as little as 15 minutes

  • Budget Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 20% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    • Cashback
    Interest rate
    5.79 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.82 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,931
    Go to site
    • IMB Bank has confirmed a rate cut of 0.25% p.a. effective 30 May
    • Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply)
    • Split loan available

  • Variable Home Loan 90

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 10% min deposit
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.79 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.83 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,931
    Go to site
    • No monthly or ongoing fees
    • Option to add an offset for 0.10% p.a.

  • Flex Home Loan

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.79 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    6.07 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,931
    Go to site
    • Multiple offset accounts available
    • Free extra repayments
    • Easy redraw facility

  • Neat Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.84 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.86 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,947
    Go to site
    • ubank has confirmed a rate cut of 0.25% p.a. effective 29 May
    • Easy redraw facility
    • No annual fee to pay

  • Flex Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.84 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.08 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,947
    Go to site
    • ubank has confirmed a rate cut of 0.25% p.a. effective 29 May
    • Free extra repayments
    • Multiple offset accounts available

  • Home Loan with Offset

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.88 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.89 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,959
    Go to site
    • Regional Australia Bank has confirmed a rate cut of 0.25% p.a. effective 4 June
    • No application and monthly account keeping fees
    • Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply)

  • Basic Variable Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.88 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.91 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,959
    Go to site
    • P&N Bank has confirmed a rate cut of 0.25% p.a. effective 10 June
    • No ongoing monthly loan maintenance fees
    • Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly repayment options

  • Offset Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.89 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.92 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,962
    Go to site
    • BCU Bank has confirmed a rate cut of 0.25% p.a. effective 10 June
    • No ongoing monthly loan maintenance fees to pay.
    • Pre-approval valid for 3 months
Showing 16 results from 415 home loans. Use the filters to see more

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* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.

** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.

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