Rising interest rates aren’t the only reason why it’s harder to get a home loan

Collage of cartoon hands dangling interest rates.

To ease the inflation currently bearing down on the economy, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has finally begun tightening monetary policy, lifting the official cash rate by increments of 25-50 basis points over the last three months. 

A rapidly changing interest rate environment means banks will be scrutinising borrowers’ income and finances much more closely. If you’re not equipped to handle higher rates on your home loan, you’ll find banks will be less willing to lend you the amount you want. 

And with further rate hikes looming on the horizon, Westpac projects up to 90% of borrowers will feel the mortgage heat this year. 

But rising interest rates aren't the only challenge borrowers have to contend with. We look at some of the additional hurdles that have popped up in recent months, along with some steps buyers can take to overcome them.

Banks adopting stricter lending standards on home loans

Collage of a hand dropping three coins into another, because the person has had their mortgage borrowing power reduced.

Even before any rate rises were announced, industry regulator APRA was projecting unease thanks to an uptick in risky lending last year. The solution it arrived at was introducing stricter serviceability buffers.

Nowadays, lenders are required to add a margin of at least 3% (up from 2.5%) to their home loan rates when gauging a borrower's creditworthiness. That means if you apply for a loan with a variable rate of 3% p.a., you’ll be assessed on your ability to pay it off at 6% p.a.

But that’s not the only change to lending standards we’ve seen. Fear of overexposure to risky loans, not to mention reprisal from APRA, has also driven some banks to adopt stricter protocols around debt-to-income ratios.

Last month, ANZ lowered its DTI limit from 9 to 7.5, meaning that it would no longer be lending more than seven-and-a-half times a borrower’s income. NAB also revised its DTI cap to down from 9 to 8, citing a need to be vigilant about potential mortgage stress.

These changes ultimately limit the amount of funding borrowers will be able to access, meaning that many will have to set their sights on less expensive properties. Some may even find themselves discouraged altogether.

Shopping and student debt come back to haunt young buyers

Collage of a hand holding a BNPL card surrounded by shopping expenses.

Another major drain on borrowing power has been the broadening definition of ‘debt’. While loan and credit card debt are old hats, new APRA regulations have expanded what lenders must consider when servicing your home loan.

From now on, any debt you owe to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services like Afterpay, Zip, or Klarna must be included in DTI serviceability tests. This has taken a lot of potential borrowers off guard because BNPL tends to be seen as an expense rather than a line of credit. As a precaution, Afterpay recommends customers close their accounts temporarily while applying for a home loan then reopen them after approval.

Lenders must also officially look at your HECS-HELP student loan debt, the index of which ballooned by a whopping 550% this year. While this was quite a common practice before the new regulations, its inclusion from APRA formalises its role as a significant debt to deal with – and further tightens lending restrictions. 

What’s more, these kinds of debt tend to be most common with young Australians. By increasing the level of debt they hold, APRA has added yet another economic hurdle for young buyers on the road to first home ownership.

Inflation squeezes household budgets

Collage of a hand pushing a piggy bank.

Then there’s the elephant in the wallet – inflation. The rising cost of living has reduced the buying power of ordinary Aussies with their groceries, let alone their home loan. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), spending on non-discretionary items rose 8.6% in May, meaning buyers have had to fork out more cash just to afford basic life necessities.

Inflation also tightens the overall wiggle room borrowers have for making monthly repayments, regardless of which kind of home loan they’re paying off. Unprepared consumers may find themselves having to cut corners, or worst case scenario, going into mortgage stress.

So what can first home buyers do?

Collage of hands comparing coloured bars on their phone, like how someone compare home loans.

Younger Australians can be forgiven for thinking the odds are stacked against them, but there are workarounds to these challenges.

For starters, there are a number of government schemes aimed at helping Australians buy their first home. These include the First Home owners Grant, the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, the First Home Super Saver, and the Family Home Guarantee.

Shared equity schemes, like the Labor government’s new Help to Buy scheme, are also becoming more common. These reduce the upfront costs of buying a home by letting households enter a co-ownership arrangement with the government.

Finally, hopeful borrowers should take steps to reduce their risk profile in the eyes of lenders. This might include paying off existing debts, saving a larger deposit, tidying up credit histories, and being mindful of the impression your investment portfolio might give off.

Compare home loans below.

Mozo may receive payment if you click the products below. We don’t compare the entire market, but you can compare more home loans here.
Last updated 13 October 2024 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*

Home loan comparisons on Mozo

  • Fixed Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal and Interest
    Interest rate
    5.84 % p.a.
    Fixed 1 years
    Comparison rate
    5.93 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $4,106
    Go to site

    Competitive fixed rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Additional repayments up to $20,000 per year without penalty. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.

image of houses

Need help with your Home Loan?

Whether you're looking to purchase a new home or refinance your existing loan, our friends at Lendi can help! Lendi’s expert advice is completely free of charge.

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.