How borrowers can combat the housing affordability crisis

We’ve heard for a while now that we’re in a housing affordability crisis, and many Aussies feel like home ownership is increasingly becoming out of reach for them. 

However, while all the news can feel very doom and gloom, there are actually a lot of things to stay positive about and a lot we can do to combat housing affordability. 

Looking for a better property price 

Another thing to consider when looking at housing affordability is the city you live in. This can affect your decision-making as the regional cities and some capital cities are a lot cheaper than say Melbourne or Sydney.

While these numbers may seem a bit daunting, there are workarounds that we can find. For one, regional cities like Geelong, Gold Coast, and Newcastle tend to be better priced which could be an attractive option for those who don’t feel tied down to the capital cities.

With remote work seemingly here to stay, many families will also find themselves wanting to opt for homes in areas that provide a positive living environment rather than the convenience of being close to a capital city CBD.

Think about grants like the Home Guarantee Scheme 

If you’re a first homebuyer, there are more options available to you such as the government’s first home guarantee and regional first home guarantee schemes. 

With these schemes, you can have the government act as a guarantor on a deposit of up to 15%. The government acting as a guarantor basically means that you won’t need to pay lenders' mortgage insurance (LMI)

You usually pay LMI for deposits lower than 20% of the overall property’s value as a way of protecting the bank as (without a guarantor) you’re seen as a riskier borrower.

It’s good to check whether you’re eligible for the home guarantee scheme which was recently expanded to include siblings and friends looking to co-ownership. Also, if you’re not a first homebuyer but haven’t owned a property in the past 10 years then you might be eligible for the scheme too.

Check home loan options like low deposit loans

When it comes to housing affordability, saving for a 20% deposit can feel daunting. However, if you’ve got the cash but not the time to save, you can opt to take out a low deposit home loan. 

Essentially, with a low deposit home loan, you can take out a loan with a deposit that usually ranges anywhere between 5-15% of the total property value. However, keep in mind that unless you have a guarantor (like a parent), you’ll have to pay lenders' mortgage insurance. 

Another way of combating housing affordability is through utilising comparison websites like Mozo. Our database has a number of low deposit home loan providers you can compare so that you get the loan that works best for you

Last updated 31 May 2025 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*
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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
    5.56 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.57 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,858
    Go to site
    • Offset and non-offset options for flexible payments
    • No application and monthly account keeping fees
    • Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply)
  • 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
  • Budget Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 20% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    • Cashback
    Interest rate
    5.54 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.57 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,852
    Go to site
    • RATE CUT NOW LIVE!
    • Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply)
    • Split loan available
  • Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.56 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.57 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,858
    Go to site
    • Offset and non-offset options for flexible payments
    • No application and monthly account keeping fees
    • Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply)
  • Neat Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.64 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.66 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,883
    Go to site
    • RATE CUT NOW LIVE!
    • Easy redraw facility
    • No annual fee to pay
  • Flex Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.64 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.89 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,883
    Go to site
    • RATE CUT NOW LIVE!
    • Free extra repayments
    • Multiple offset accounts 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
  • Home Loan with Offset

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.77 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.78 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,924
    Go to site
    • Offset and non-offset options for flexible payments
    • No application and monthly account keeping fees
    • Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply)
  • 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
  • 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
    • Loans.com.au has confirmed a rate cut of 0.25% p.a. effective 3 June
    • No monthly or ongoing fees
    • Option to add an offset for 0.10% p.a.
  • 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
  • Offset Variable Home Loan

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Offset available
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    6.09 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.12 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,027
    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
Showing 12 results from 416 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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Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.

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