It’s official, home buyers took on debt like never before in 2021

sydney-skyline-on-sunny-day

New loan commitments taken on by Australian property buyers reached new heights over the course of 2021 according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Tuesday.

The Bureau’s December lending indicators reveal that a record $369.76 billion worth of new home loans were taken out by owner-occupier and investor borrowers during the year, helped on by a new record monthly figure of $32.8 billion in December.

 “December’s rise was driven by a 5.3 per cent rise in the value of new owner-occupier loan commitments," said Amanda Seneviratne, acting head of finance and wealth at the ABS.

"This is the second consecutive monthly rise in owner-occupier lending and follows the falls seen from June 2021 through to October 2021."

New loan commitments in Australia (seasonally adjusted). Source: ABS

abs-new-lending-figures-dec-2021

As the graph above shows, the amount of new housing finance being taken out has soared in recent years. In 2011 the total annual figure was $169.03 billion, which is 118% lower than the 2021 total, but the real jump has come in the past two years during which time the value of new loan commitments has increased by 50%.

While it may be hard to appreciate the size of those numbers, sizable increases in average loan sizes provide another reflection of the rising cost of property and the amount Australians are being required to borrow.

According to the latest ABS figures, the national average mortgage size (for owner-occupied dwellings) just tipped over the $600,000 mark for the first time - an increase of $92,615 in the past year alone.

And for New South Wales and Victoria, the jump was even higher. 

Average loan sizes in Australia — December 2020-21. Source: ABS

December 2020December 2021Increase
NSW$646,923$779,770$132,847
VIC$517,826$630,412$112,586
QLD$436,806$504,055$67,249
SA$386,475$441,576$55,101
WA$423,449$450,645$27,196
TAS$386,414$430,526$44,142
AUS$509,420$602,035$92,615

When it comes down to cost, the difference between a $509,420 mortgage and a $602,035 mortgage is substantial.

For instance, assuming an interest rate of 3.00% and principal and interest repayments being made of 25 years, the difference between the two figures equates to $439 in monthly repayments and $39,142 in total interest paid over the life of the loan.

RELATED: February home loan snapshot: Athena and ANZ lead variable rate drops

Interested in viewing more home loan figures? Check out our dedicated Australian home loan statistics page for average rates, loan sizes and more.

Last updated 18 April 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
    5.74 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.65 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,915
    Go to site
    • Built by CommBank
    • 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
    • $0 application fee to pay
    • Unlimited additional repayments
    • Apply in as little as 15 minutes
  • Promoted

    Basic Home Loan

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 30% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.39 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    5.82 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,805
    Go to site
    • No ongoing fees
    • Free redraw from your loan using Macquarie Online.
    • No application or account management fees
  • Promoted

    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.
  • Promoted

    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
  • Promoted

    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.
  • Basic Home Loan

    • Fixed rate
    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 30% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.39 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    5.82 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,805
    Go to site
    • No ongoing fees
    • Free redraw from your loan using Macquarie Online.
    • No application or account management fees
  • 2-Year Discounted - Simple Home Loan Variable

    • Owner occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • 40% min deposit
    • Redraw available
    Interest rate
    5.49 % p.a.
    Variable for 24 months and then 5.74% p.a.
    Comparison rate
    5.69 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,836
    Go to site
  • 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
Showing 7 results from 415 home loans. Use the filters to see more

Want free expert advice on your home loan?

Whether you're looking to purchase a new home or refinance your existing loan, our friends at Aussie can help! Aussie advice is completely free of charge. PLUS you could win a share of $320K simply by booking an appointment.

Learn more

* 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.

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards

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.

While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.