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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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Offset Home Loan - 2021
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2021
1.99% p.a.variable for 12 months and then 2.48% p.a. variable
2.47% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsMozo experts choice awards won:
- Offset Home Loan - 2021
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2021
Smart 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. Winner of two Mozo Expert's Choice Award for 2021.
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. Winner of two Mozo Expert's Choice Award for 2021.
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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
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Owner Occupier
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Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Booster Home Loan
Details Close
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1.75% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.22% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsUHomeLoan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
1.75% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.22% p.a.
$0 fees and easy application. Choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. 3 year fixed rates are for new Owner Occupier Principal & Interest loans.
UHomeLoan
$0 fees and easy application. Choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. 3 year fixed rates are for new Owner Occupier Principal & Interest loans.
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1.75% p.a.
fixed 3 years -
2.22% p.a.
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$0
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$0.00
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$0.00
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yes - free up to $20,000 p.a.
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no
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no
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$0
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80.00%
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$100,000
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$2,000,000
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Fixed
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Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
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Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
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$395 Establishment fee waived for fixed rate loans that settle by 30 September 2022. Receive 1.75% 3 year fixed rate when you apply by 29 April 2021 and settle within 90 days.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the UHomeLoan
Details Close
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2.09% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.43% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsBasic Home Loan
Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<70%
2.09% p.a.
fixed 3 years2.43% p.a.
Get a flexible loan structure with up to six loan accounts with different rate types. Make free extra repayments. Enjoy free redraw facility. No upfront or ongoing fees. Option to earn Qantas points.
Basic Home Loan
Get a flexible loan structure with up to six loan accounts with different rate types. Make free extra repayments. Enjoy free redraw facility. No upfront or ongoing fees. Option to earn Qantas points.
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2.09% p.a.
fixed 3 years -
2.43% p.a.
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$0
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$0.00
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$400.00
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yes - free
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yes - free
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no
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$0
-
70.00%
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$150,000
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$750,000
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Fixed
-
Principal & Interest
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Owner Occupier
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Monthly
-
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Basic Home Loan
Details Close
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Home Loan Innovation - 2021
- Investor Home Loan - 2021
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2021
2.19% p.a. variable
2.19% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsMozo experts choice awards won:
- Home Loan Innovation - 2021
- Investor Home Loan - 2021
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2021
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
<60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
2.19% p.a. variable
2.19% p.a.
Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid off. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees to consider. Min 40% deposit required. Winner of three Mozo Expert's Choice Award for 2021.
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid off. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees to consider. Min 40% deposit required. Winner of three Mozo Expert's Choice Award for 2021.
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2.19% p.a. variable
-
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
-
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan
Details Close
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1.89% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.15% p.a.
$1234
Product details Close detailsFixed Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
1.89% p.a.
fixed 2 years2.15% p.a.
Award-winning low rate home loan that could save you thousands. No application or ongoing fees, fee-free redraws, unlimited additional repayments and an optional offset account for $10/month. Minimum 10% deposit. Winner of Mozo’s Experts Choice Award for Online Home Lender of the Year 2021.^
Fixed Home Loan
Award-winning low rate home loan that could save you thousands. No application or ongoing fees, fee-free redraws, unlimited additional repayments and an optional offset account for $10/month. Minimum 10% deposit. Winner of Mozo’s Experts Choice Award for Online Home Lender of the Year 2021.^
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1.89% p.a.
fixed 2 years -
2.15% p.a.
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$0
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$0.00
-
$325.00
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yes - free, up to $20,000 p.a.
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yes - free
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Optional - $10 per month
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$0
-
90.00%
-
$50,000
-
$2,000,000
-
Fixed
-
Principal & Interest
-
Owner Occupier
-
Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
-
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fixed Home Loan
Details Close
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^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home loans Awards