ASIC releases guideline updates to help ‘mortgage prisoners' refinance

By Ceyda Erem · · 2 min read
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A year on from Mozo’s analysis of the rising number of ‘mortgage prisoners’, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has made guideline updates to the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2019 about responsible lending to mortgage prisoners. 

Coined last year, the term ‘mortgage prisoners’ refers to homeowners who are unable to refinance their home loans because they would now fail to meet lending requirements required by banks. 

According to Mozo’s home loan expert, Steve Jovcevski, these are the homeowners that require the most financial assistance. 

RELATED: The number of Aussie ‘mortgage prisoners’ is set to rise, according to Mozo research

“The sad reality is borrowers who need competitive mortgage rates to stay financially afloat are most likely to be mortgage prisoners. When a customer is essentially tied to a provider, they are at the mercy of whatever rate rise or conditions the bank chooses to impose,” he said.

However, the new guideline update from ASIC will now provide transparency and assistance to lenders and brokers to their obligations when assessing customers looking to refinance their home loans. 

For instance, a borrower would be a suitable candidate for refinancing their loan if they’ve regularly made payments on time with their existing loan. 

A borrower would also be eligible should the new rate result in lower repayments as well as meet their product requirements. 

Although regular and on time repayments may be music to the ears of many lenders, ASIC has acknowledged that it could also “disguise circumstances of financial stress”. 

“Consumers will generally prioritise repayments for a principal asset such as a home over other outgoings and may take on additional credit to meet repayments (e.g. by using a credit card),” the Regulatory Guide states. 

RELATED: Australia’s best refinance home loans for 2019

To combat this, the regulatory body has recommended that lenders and brokers obtain a repayment history of at least 12 months and that they make themselves aware of any:

  • Signs of financial stress, such as credit card delinquencies or missing utility repayments 

  • Signs of financial stability, such as paying their credit balance in full 

Refinancing your home loan could make a massive difference to your monthly repayments and more importantly save you thousands over the life of your loan, so if you’re interested to find out if you could be getting a better deal on your home loan, check out our home loan comparison tool. 

Mozo may receive payment if you click products on our site. We don’t compare the entire market, but you can compare more home loans here.
Last updated 21 October 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
    5.24 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.15 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,758
    Go to site
    • The first home loan with an automatic loyalty discount (conditions apply)
    • No application or banking fees
    • Built by CommBank
  • Promoted

    Lite Variable Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 20% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.19 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.21 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,742
    Go to site
    • Earn Virgin Money Points every month
    • No ongoing home loan fees
    • Make additional repayments and redraw at no extra cost
  • Promoted

    Discount Fixed Rate

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 20% min deposit
    • Cashback
    Interest rate
    4.89 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    5.42 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,651
    Go to site
    • $2,000 cashback for new loans (T&Cs apply)
    • Up to $10,000 extra repayments annually
    • One free residential valuation per application

  • Fixed Rate Home Loan

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 5% min deposit
    Interest rate
    4.65 % p.a.
    Fixed 1 year
    Comparison rate
    5.43 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,578
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    4.65 % p.a.
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    5.48 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,578
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    • Free extra repayments of up to $25,000 during the fixed rate period.
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  • 2-Year Fixed Simple Home Loan Special

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Refinance only
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    4.70 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    5.14 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,593
    Go to site
    • No application, ongoing or monthly fees
    • Make unlimited extra repayments and access funds with free redraw
    • Get up to $1,000 towards legal and valuation costs (T&Cs apply)

  • 2-Year Fixed Complete Home Loan Special

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Refinance only
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    4.70 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    5.62 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,593
    Go to site
    • Offset account can help you save on interest
    • Make unlimited extra repayments and access funds with free redraw
    • Get up to $1,000 towards legal and valuation costs (T&Cs apply)

  • Discount Fixed Rate

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 20% min deposit
    • Cashback
    Interest rate
    4.89 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    5.42 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,651
    Go to site
    • $2,000 cashback for new loans (T&Cs apply)
    • Up to $10,000 extra repayments annually
    • One free residential valuation per application

  • 1-Year Fixed Simple Home Loan Special

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Refinance only
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    4.99 % p.a.
    Fixed 1 year
    Comparison rate
    5.22 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,681
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    • No application, ongoing or monthly fees
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  • Fixed Home Loan

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 5% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    • Cashback
    Interest rate
    4.99 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    5.47 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,681
    Go to site
    • Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply)
    • Up to 12 months repayments in advance without penalties
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  • 1-Year Fixed Complete Home Loan Special

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Refinance only
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    4.99 % p.a.
    Fixed 1 year
    Comparison rate
    5.71 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,681
    Go to site
    • Offset account can help you save on interest
    • Make unlimited extra repayments and access funds with free redraw
    • Get up to $1,000 towards legal and valuation costs (T&Cs apply)

  • Special Budget Home Loan

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    • Principal & Interest
    • 20% min deposit
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    Interest rate
    5.19 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.19 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,742
    Go to site
    • No application or monthly fees
    • Free redraw facility
    • $5000 cashback for first time buyers borrowing at least $500K. Apply by 30/11/2025 with loans settled by 30 April 2026. Lending criteria, T&Cs apply.

  • Discount Great Rate Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 20% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    • Cashback
    Interest rate
    5.19 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.20 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,742
    Go to site
    • Get up to $3,000 cashback when you apply online (T&Cs apply)
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  • Lite Variable Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 20% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.19 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.21 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,742
    Go to site
    • Earn Virgin Money Points every month
    • No ongoing home loan fees
    • Make additional repayments and redraw at no extra cost

  • Unloan Variable Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 20% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.24 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.15 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,758
    Go to site
    • The first home loan with an automatic loyalty discount (conditions apply)
    • No application or banking fees
    • Built by CommBank

  • Simple Home Loan Variable

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.24 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.24 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,758
    Go to site
    • A low variable rate that allows you to benefit from potential future rate cuts
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  • OMG Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.24 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.27 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,758
    Go to site
    • No ongoing annual fees
    • Pre-approval valid for 3 months

  • Budget Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 20% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    • Cashback
    Interest rate
    5.29 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.32 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,773
    Go to site
    • Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply)
    • Split loan available

  • Variable Home Loan 90

    • Owner occupier
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    • 10% min deposit
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.29 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.33 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,773
    Go to site
    • No monthly or ongoing fees
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  • Loaded Variable Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.34 % p.a.
    Variable
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    5.64 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,789
    Go to site
    • Earn Virgin Money Points at settlement and every month
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    • Weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayment flexibility
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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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