Government extends support to First Home Loan Deposit Scheme applicants amid coronavirus auction ban

The Federal Government has extended the loan approval period for first home buyers under the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme as coronavirus shutdowns bring new challenges to finding a property. 

Successful applicants were previously required to snag a property within 90 days of approval. But the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) yesterday announced that the 27 participating lenders can now give these borrowers another 90 days (or three months), given that they are still eligible and meet the bank’s lending criteria. 

This decision comes after further social distancing measures introduced last week included a ban on on-site real estate auctions. As a result, 40% of auctions across the country were pulled from the market, while preliminary auction clearance rates plummeted to 51.4% - the lowest level since June 2019. 

“The option to extend the 90 day pre-approval period gives both scheme lenders and first home buyers the flexibility and support to deal with the evolving COVID-19 situation,” NHFIC Chief Executive, Nathan Dal Bon said. 

As of late March, over 4,700 of the 7,661 approved applicants have still yet to find a home.

RELATED ARTICLE: Virtual home buying is officially a thing! Here’s how it works

What is the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme? 

The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, launched in January this year, allows eligible first home buyers to borrow from participating lenders with as little as a 5% deposit, while dodging the cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). This is thanks to the government’s guarantee of the remaining 15% deposit requirement. 

Among the participating lenders are big banks NAB and Commonwealth Bank. 

Around 2,000 more spots remain open in the current financial year, with an additional 10,000 places set to become available from July 2020, according to the NHFIC. 

But with economic conditions worsening in light of COVID-19 and the RBA predicting that the current period of disruption could continue to the latter part of the year, it’s expected the takeup of those places may not be as enthusiastic as the first round. 

For more information, check out our comprehensive guide on the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme. Or scroll down below for a list of loan options for first home buyers.

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Last updated 20 January 2025 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*
What are your home loan needs?

Your loan-to-value ratio (LVR): 90%

Loan amount and LVR will affect interest rates.

  • Promoted

    Variable Home Loan 90

    • Principal and Interest
    • LVR <90%
    Interest rate
    6.04 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.08 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $4,335
    Go to site

    Affordable home loan rate for buyers or refinancers. No monthly or ongoing fees. Option to add an offset for 0.10%. Access to savings with unlimited redraws available. Minimum 10% deposit required.

  • Promoted

    Fixed Rate Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    6.21 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $4,312
    Go to site

    Secure a low rate and enjoy the certainty of repayments, with the BCU Fixed Rate Home Loan. Save with no ongoing annual fees. Pay up to $25,000 extra during a fixed period (T&Cs apply). Lock in for up to 5 years.

  • Promoted

    OMG Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • >80% LVR
    Interest rate
    6.29 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.32 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $4,452
    Go to site

    BCU Bank’s OMG owner occupied home loan offers a variety of great low rates depending on your deposit. Save with no ongoing annual fees. Access your extra payments when you need to through the redraw facility. Pre-approval valid for 3 months.

  • Promoted

    Offset Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR 80-95%
    Interest rate
    6.39 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.42 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $4,499
    Go to site

    100% offset account so you can save on interest and reduce the amount you pay on your home loan. Free redraw. 100% offset account. Only 5% deposit required. No ongoing monthly loan maintenance fees to pay. Tiered interest rates so you can benefit from a lower rate when you borrow less.

  • Promoted

    Basic Variable Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR >80%
    Interest rate
    6.89 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.92 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $4,737
    Go to site

    Competitive interest rate. No ongoing monthly loan maintenance fees. Buy your home with as little as a 5% deposit. You can redraw your repayments if you’re ahead. Choose to repay weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. Make extra payments without penalty, to pay off your home loan even faster.

  • Promoted

    Offset Variable Home Loan

    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR >80%
    Interest rate
    7.74 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    7.77 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $5,153
    Go to site

    Competitive interest rate. 100% offset account so your savings can reduce the amount of interest you pay on your home loan. No ongoing monthly fees. Buy your home with as little as a 5% deposit. You can redraw your repayments if you’re ahead. Choose to repay weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. Make extra payments without penalty, to pay off your home loan even faster.

  • Promoted

    Fixed Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <95%
    Interest rate
    5.69 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    6.20 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $4,174
    Go to site

    Get the security of a competitive fixed rate home loan for 2 years with IMB. Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply). Up to 12 months repayments in advance without penalties. Free Internet and Mobile Banking redraws (T&Cs apply). Up to a 30 year loan term. Split loan available. No offset account.

  • Fixed Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <95%
    Interest rate
    5.69 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    6.20 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $4,174
    Go to site

    Get the security of a competitive fixed rate home loan for 2 years with IMB. Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply). Up to 12 months repayments in advance without penalties. Free Internet and Mobile Banking redraws (T&Cs apply). Up to a 30 year loan term. Split loan available. No offset account.

  • Fixed Rate Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    6.21 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $4,312
    Go to site

    Secure a low rate and enjoy the certainty of repayments, with the BCU Fixed Rate Home Loan. Save with no ongoing annual fees. Pay up to $25,000 extra during a fixed period (T&Cs apply). Lock in for up to 5 years.

  • Variable Home Loan 90

    • Principal and Interest
    • LVR <90%
    Interest rate
    6.04 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.08 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $4,335
    Go to site

    Affordable home loan rate for buyers or refinancers. No monthly or ongoing fees. Option to add an offset for 0.10%. Access to savings with unlimited redraws available. Minimum 10% deposit required.

  • OMG Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • >80% LVR
    Interest rate
    6.29 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.32 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $4,452
    Go to site

    BCU Bank’s OMG owner occupied home loan offers a variety of great low rates depending on your deposit. Save with no ongoing annual fees. Access your extra payments when you need to through the redraw facility. Pre-approval valid for 3 months.

  • Offset Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR 80-95%
    Interest rate
    6.39 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.42 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $4,499
    Go to site

    100% offset account so you can save on interest and reduce the amount you pay on your home loan. Free redraw. 100% offset account. Only 5% deposit required. No ongoing monthly loan maintenance fees to pay. Tiered interest rates so you can benefit from a lower rate when you borrow less.

  • Basic Variable Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR >80%
    Interest rate
    6.89 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.92 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $4,737
    Go to site

    Competitive interest rate. No ongoing monthly loan maintenance fees. Buy your home with as little as a 5% deposit. You can redraw your repayments if you’re ahead. Choose to repay weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. Make extra payments without penalty, to pay off your home loan even faster.

  • Offset Variable Home Loan

    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR >80%
    Interest rate
    7.74 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    7.77 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $5,153
    Go to site

    Competitive interest rate. 100% offset account so your savings can reduce the amount of interest you pay on your home loan. No ongoing monthly fees. Buy your home with as little as a 5% deposit. You can redraw your repayments if you’re ahead. Choose to repay weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. Make extra payments without penalty, to pay off your home loan even faster.

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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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