Westpac extends COVID-19 mortgage relief by up to 12 months
25 May 2020
Westpac home loan customers who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 will have access to extended repayment relief on their mortgages following an announcement by the major bank on May 23.
According to Westpac, eligible customers making interest-only payments will be able to extend that interest-only period for up to 12 months, while customers making principal and interest payments will be able to make the switch to interest-only payments for the same period.
The latest initiative follows an earlier move by the bank to allow customers who have lost income as a result of the coronavirus outbreak to defer mortgage repayments for up to three months, with the opportunity for a three month extension subject to review.
According to recent figures from the Australian Banking Association (ABA), 429,000 mortgages have been deferred as a result of COVID-19, with Westpac home loans general manager Will Ranken confirming that over 100,000 Westpac customers have taken up the opportunity.
“We have had more than 115,000 customers defer mortgage repayments as part of our COVID-19 consumer support package,” he said.
“However, we recognise that many customers who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 still want the option of making some repayments during this time. These changes mean it is now simpler for customers to apply to extend their interest only loan term, or switch their repayments to interest only.”
The bank has encouraged mortgage holders to weigh up the benefits and drawbacks of extending or to interest-only repayments though. While the additional money saved could be of use to impacted households now, it will still need to be repaid down the line.
Similarly for borrowers who have deferred home loan repayments, interest and fees that go unpaid during the deferral period could be added to the outstanding loan balance resulting in higher repayments later on.
RELATED: Big bank coronavirus support: How to defer your mortgage repayments
For more information about the financial response from Westpac and other Australian banks to the COVID-19 outbreak, make sure you check out our comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about Coronavirus and your finances.
Home loans 2020
Rates updated daily. Advertiser disclosure.
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1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable
2.47% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsSmart Booster Home Loan
1 Year Discounted Variable Rate, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable
2.47% p.a.
A super low introductory rate home loan with no monthly or ongoing fees. Unlimited free redraws and unlimited additional repayments to help you build your equity and own your home sooner. Multiple loan splits available. (Rates revert after introductory period ends). 20% minimum deposit required.
Smart Booster Home Loan
A super low introductory rate home loan with no monthly or ongoing fees. Unlimited free redraws and unlimited additional repayments to help you build your equity and own your home sooner. Multiple loan splits available. (Rates revert after introductory period ends). 20% minimum deposit required.
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1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable
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2.47% p.a.
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$520
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$0.00
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$0.00
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yes - free
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yes - free
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Optional - with 0.10% additional interest
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$520
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80.00%
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$50,000
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$1,000,000
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Variable
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Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
-
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Booster Home Loan
Details Close
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-
2.34% p.a. variable
2.34% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsUHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
2.34% p.a. variable
2.34% p.a.
Enjoy a super low rate, $0 fees and easy application with the Mozo Experts Choice Home Lender Bank of the Year.^ Free redraw with flexible repayments. Min 20% deposit.
UHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Enjoy a super low rate, $0 fees and easy application with the Mozo Experts Choice Home Lender Bank of the Year.^ Free redraw with flexible repayments. Min 20% deposit.
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2.34% p.a. variable
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2.34% p.a.
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$0
-
$0.00
-
$0.00
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yes - free
-
yes - free
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no
-
$0
-
80.00%
-
$100,000
-
-
-
Variable
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
-
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the UHomeLoan - Discount Offer
Details Close
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-
2.19% p.a. variable
2.19% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsCelebrate Variable Home Loan
<60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
2.19% p.a. variable
2.19% p.a.
Fast online application with no fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Min 40% deposit. Crowned Best New Home Loan for 2020 by the Mozo Experts.^
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
Fast online application with no fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Min 40% deposit. Crowned Best New Home Loan for 2020 by the Mozo Experts.^
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2.19% p.a. variable
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2.19% p.a.
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$0
-
$0.00
-
$0.00
-
yes - free
-
yes - free
-
no
-
$0
-
60.00%
-
$100,000
-
$2,000,000
-
Variable
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan
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-
2.09% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.56% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsBasic Home Loan
Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR 70-80%
2.09% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.56% p.a.
Flexible loan structure – create up to six loan accounts with different rate and repayment types. Free redraw from your loan using Macquarie Online.
Basic Home Loan
Flexible loan structure – create up to six loan accounts with different rate and repayment types. Free redraw from your loan using Macquarie Online.
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2.09% p.a.
fixed 2 years -
2.56% p.a.
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$0
-
$0.00
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$400.00
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yes - free
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yes - free
-
no
-
$0
-
80.00%
-
$150,000
-
$750,000
-
Fixed
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Monthly
-
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Basic Home Loan
Details Close
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1.89% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.94% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsFixed Home Loan Special Offer Home Package Plus
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
1.89% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.94% p.a.
Competitive low rates starting from 1.89% (2.94% comparison rate) 2 years fixed for owner occupiers. No monthly account keeping fees & No loan establishment fee.
Fixed Home Loan Special Offer Home Package Plus
Competitive low rates starting from 1.89% (2.94% comparison rate) 2 years fixed for owner occupiers. No monthly account keeping fees & No loan establishment fee.
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1.89% p.a.
fixed 2 years -
2.94% p.a.
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$0
-
$375.00 yearly
-
$350.00
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yes - free up to $500 per month
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no
-
no
-
$0
-
80.00%
-
$150,000
-
-
-
Fixed
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Home Loan Special Offer
Details Close
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