Housing demand, award-winning insurance, parental pressures: All in this week’s best banking news

- Border closures decreases housing demand and rentals
- 2020 Mozo Experts Choice Awards for Insurance are announced!
- Raising children during a pandemic: Aussies feeling parental pressure
- Meet NOW FINANCE’s new fee-free personal loan
- Low income renters feeling energy hardship
- People’s Choice Credit Union: where do basic home loans sit now?
All in this week’s best banking news: editor’s pick.
Housing market: lack of internationals pushes down rentals
New stats have revealed that border closures (as a result of COVID-19) are likely to decrease housing demand by 129,000 to 232,000 dwellings over the next three years.
These numbers come from the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC), who predict that Australia’s population could fall by up to 214,000 between 2019 and 2021.
For almost 13 years international migrants have accounted for almost 60% of our population growth. So with Aussie borders closed, there are many houses that are now empty.
And it has affected renting prices across the inner areas of major cities - take Sydney and Melbourne for example:
Sydney
- Darlinghurst: -25%
- Haymarket: - 15%
- The Rocks: -15%
Melbourne
- CBD: -22%
- Elwood: -20%
- Southbank: -15%
Read full article: Housing demand, rents fall as overseas migration comes to a halt for more from the NHFIC.
Where can you get the best insurance? Check out the 2020 Mozo Experts Choice Award winners
Looking to insure your home, investment property or your car? Stop your search because our experts have found the best policies on the market.
This week, we dropped our 2020 Mozo Experts Choice Awards for Insurance across car, home and landlord insurance.
“Insurance is one of those things you don't really want to have to pay for it until you need it, but if something happens and you can make a claim it can make a massive difference to how well you recover from a bad situation”, Mozo Expert, Peter Marshall said.
”It is important to make sure you understand what a policy does (and does not) cover to get the right insurance for your situation.”
But who came out on top? There were two stand-out providers that took out the major awards this year:
- Budget Direct: 2020 Car, Home and Landlord Value Insurer of the Year
- NRMA: 2020 Car, Home and Landlord Quality Insurer of the Year
Read full article: Mozo reveals the 2020 Experts Choice Awards for Insurance for a full rundown of this year’s winners.
Pandemic pressures: Aussie parents struggling with kids in lockdown

Being a parent can be hard work. But being a parent while working from home is a whole other challenge.
One in three Aussie parents said they need their partner on parental leave to help share the duty of looking after kids during the pandemic, according to new stats from ING.
The bank found that the top reasons parents feel this way were:
- Limited contact with friends and family (65%)
- Feeling isolated and lonely (59%)
- Lack of down time from parenthood (56%)
But it’s not all doom and gloom. In fact, 35% of Aussie dads said that their bosses are ‘more understanding’ of their parenting responsibilities. Plus, 33% reported that their colleagues are now ‘more compassionate’ after seeing family through video calls.
Read full article: Parental pressures top of mind during pandemic, says ING and read what ING head of retail banking Melanie Evans says about the stats.
Want to go fee-free on your personal loan? With NOW FINANCE you can!
Early in the week, NOW FINANCE unveiled a no fee feature on its Unsecured Personal Loan.
The offer comes with no establishment, ongoing or early repayment fees and is for customers borrowing from $5,000 to $15,000.
But for customers looking for a larger loan there is no fee-free option. Instead, they’ll face a $495 upfront fee as well as an ongoing $13 monthly service fee.
According to the Mozo database, there are nine other lenders that have fee-free products. These include Alex, Citi, Credit Union SA, Liberty, MoneyPlace, Police Credit Union, SocietyOne, Southwest Slopes Credit Union and Sydney Mutual Bank.
Read full article: NOW FINANCE drops fee-free personal loan to start comparing fee-free personal loans today.
Energy costs tough on low income renters, says AHURI

A massive 40% of Aussie renters struggle with energy hardship, says research from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI).
The stats showed that low income renters were amongst those most vulnerable, along with those with existing health issues or living in poor conditions.
A major concern for renters when attempting to reduce energy costs is the quality of the dwellings they live in. For example, 18% of public renters and 14% of private renters struggled to stay warm over the winter months.
Read full article: Low income renters struggle with energy costs, says AHURI and check out what Dr Lyrian Daniel from the University of Adelaide says about the findings.
People’s Choice Credit Union cuts it’s basic home loan rate: how the rest of the market compares
This week, People’s Choice Credit Union reduced it’s Basic Variable Home Loan rate from 2.69% (2.69% comparison rate*) to 2.49% (2.49% comparison rate*).
According to the Mozo database, the average variable rate for a basic, owner occupier, principal and interest home loan is currently 3.15%.
But while People’s Choice Credit Union’s rate sits a happy 0.66% below average, it just missed out on being one of the top five rates on offer.
The top five variable rates right now for basic home loans:
- Reduce Home Loans Super Saver Variable Home Loan: 2.04% (2.19% comparison rate*)
- Firstmac Basic 80 (Broker Special) Home Loan: 2.19% (2.59% comparison rate*)
- Homestar Star Essentials Home Loan: 2.29% (2.32% comparison rate*)
- Pacific Mortgage Group Standard Variable Home Loan: 2.44% (2.44% comparison rate*)
- loans.com.au Smart Home Loan 80: 2.48% (2.50% comparison rate*)
Read full article: People's Choice Credit Union cuts rate: where basic home loans sit now to find out how the big banks compare.
Want to weigh up home loans right now? Check out the options below!
Compare Home Loans - last updated 6 December 2023
-
Featured Product
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2023
Unloan Variable
Owner Occupier, Refinance Only, LVR <80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment5.74% p.a. variable5.65% p.a.For refinancers only. Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply in as little as 10 minutes.
CompareCompareUnloan Variable
For refinancers only. Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply in as little as 10 minutes.
- interest rate
- 5.74% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 5.65% p.a.
- interest rate
- 5.74% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 5.65% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Unloan Variable
-
Home Variable Rate
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, Refinance Only
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.15% p.a. variable6.15% p.a.Enjoy a competitive variable interest rate from Up. No application, monthly, annual, redraw, or discharge fees to pay. Up to 50 free offset accounts available. Up home loans are only available to owner-occupiers buying or refinancing in major Australian cities. Up is 100% owned by Bendigo Bank. New joiners get $10 by signing up to the app using code UPHOMEMOZO. (T&Cs apply) Mozo Experts Choice award winner.
CompareCompareHome Variable Rate
Enjoy a competitive variable interest rate from Up. No application, monthly, annual, redraw, or discharge fees to pay. Up to 50 free offset accounts available. Up home loans are only available to owner-occupiers buying or refinancing in major Australian cities. Up is 100% owned by Bendigo Bank. New joiners get $10 by signing up to the app using code UPHOMEMOZO. (T&Cs apply) Mozo Experts Choice award winner.
- interest rate
- 6.15% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.15% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.15% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.15% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - up to $30,000
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Home Variable Rate
-
Offset Home Loan
Package, Owner Occupier, LVR<60%, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.24% p.a. variable6.49% p.a.Ability to open up to 10 offset accounts per loan account. Fast online application. Linked Debit Mastercard® with fee-free access at ATMs across Australia. Package a credit card with your home loan and the annual card fee will be waived (T&Cs apply). 40% deposit required.
CompareCompareOffset Home Loan
Ability to open up to 10 offset accounts per loan account. Fast online application. Linked Debit Mastercard® with fee-free access at ATMs across Australia. Package a credit card with your home loan and the annual card fee will be waived (T&Cs apply). 40% deposit required.
- interest rate
- 6.24% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.49% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.24% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.49% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $350
- Ongoing fees
- $248.00 yearly
- Discharge Fee
- $400.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Offset Home Loan
-
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Packaged Home Loan - 2023
Variable Rate Home Loan Special Offer
Package, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.14% p.a. variable6.51% p.a.Package benefits across Home Loans, Visa Credit Card, Personal Loans and Term Deposits. No package fee for the first year. No application, settlement or redraw fees to pay. Quick and easy application. Free CoreLogic RP Data property reports. *Terms, conditions and lending criteria apply.
CompareCompareVariable Rate Home Loan Special Offer
Package benefits across Home Loans, Visa Credit Card, Personal Loans and Term Deposits. No package fee for the first year. No application, settlement or redraw fees to pay. Quick and easy application. Free CoreLogic RP Data property reports. *Terms, conditions and lending criteria apply.
- interest rate
- 6.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.51% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.51% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $395.00 yearly
- Discharge Fee
- $350.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- $0 package fee for the first year.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Variable Rate Home Loan Special Offer
-
Mortgage Simplifier
LVR<80%, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.14% p.a. variable6.43% p.a.Get a competitive variable rate with ING’s Mortgage Simplifier. Free extra repayments, no monthly or annual fees. Freedom to make free extra repayments or redraws. Winner of Australia’s Best Essential Bank in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards.
CompareCompareMortgage Simplifier
Get a competitive variable rate with ING’s Mortgage Simplifier. Free extra repayments, no monthly or annual fees. Freedom to make free extra repayments or redraws. Winner of Australia’s Best Essential Bank in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards.
- interest rate
- 6.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.43% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.43% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $299
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $250.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Mortgage Simplifier
-
Basic Home Loan
Owner Occupier, LVR<70%, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.24% p.a. variable6.26% p.a.Enjoy a low rate home loan with $0 application fee and $0 ongoing fees. Flexibility to split your loan and set different repayment types. Fee free redraw from your loan using online banking. Flexible ways to repay. 30% Deposit required.
CompareCompareBasic Home Loan
Enjoy a low rate home loan with $0 application fee and $0 ongoing fees. Flexibility to split your loan and set different repayment types. Fee free redraw from your loan using online banking. Flexible ways to repay. 30% Deposit required.
- interest rate
- 6.24% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.26% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.24% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.26% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $350
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $400.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 70.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Basic Home Loan
* 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.