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5% Deposit Scheme Melbourne

Buy Your Home Sooner With a Low Deposit Home Loan

How the 5% Deposit Scheme Works for You

Saving a 20% deposit while paying rent, covering bills, and living your life is no small feat. For many Australians, it can feel like the goalposts keep moving. That is why the Australian Government introduced the Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS), a program designed to help eligible buyers purchase a home with as little as a 5% deposit, without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). At FinancePath, we help everyday Australians in Melbourne and beyond understand whether they qualify, which scheme suits their situation, and how to take the next step toward owning a home.

What Is the Home Guarantee Scheme?

The Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS) is an Australian Government initiative that allows eligible buyers to access a government backed home loan with a low deposit. Instead of waiting years to save a full 20% deposit, applicants must have a deposit of between 5% and 20% of the property's value, and the government guarantees the remainder, removing the need for an LMI waiver from a private insurer. This can save buyers tens of thousands of dollars and help them buy or build their home sooner.

The scheme includes several streams, the most widely used being the First Home Guarantee. This stream is designed to support eligible first home buyers or buyers who have not owned a property in the past 10 years. There is also the Family Home Guarantee, which is designed to support eligible single parents or legal guardians with at least one dependent child, allowing them to access a single parent home loan with a deposit as low as 2%.

Because there are limited places each year across each stream, timing and preparation matter. The First Home Guarantee places each year are capped, so getting your application in order early is important. FinancePath can help you understand the HGS timeline and move quickly once you are ready.

Who Is Eligible?

First Home Guarantee eligibility and broader Home Guarantee Scheme eligibility share several common requirements. To qualify, you must be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident, at least 18 years of age, and hold a valid Medicare card. You must also meet income criteria, with income caps applying depending on whether you are applying as an individual or as a couple. Income limits are set by the government and reviewed periodically, so it is worth checking the current figures on the Housing Australia website or speaking with the team at FinancePath to confirm where you stand.

The purchased property must be an acceptable property type and within the property price threshold for the suburb and postcode where you are buying. Property price caps and median price caps vary by state and by location, including differences between capital cities and regional areas. In Melbourne, these caps reflect the local property market, and FinancePath can help you understand exactly what applies to your situation.

You can use the 5% Deposit Scheme to purchase a new or existing home, depending on which stream you apply through. Some streams allow for new home HGS purchases only, while others cover existing home HGS purchases as well. Understanding which option suits your circumstances is part of what FinancePath helps you work through.

Genuine Savings and the Application Process

Most lenders participating in the scheme will want to see that your deposit comes from genuine savings. Genuine savings requirements typically mean that your deposit has been held in a savings account for a period of time, demonstrating financial discipline. This is separate from any government grants or gifted funds you may also be entitled to.

The HGS application process involves applying through HGS approved lenders, also known as participating lenders. You cannot apply directly through Housing Australia. Instead, you apply through a lender that has been approved to offer the scheme, and FinancePath can help you access home loan options from banks and lenders across Australia that participate in the program. Once approved in the scheme, you generally have 90 days to purchase a home after you are approved, so having your property search well underway before you apply is a smart approach.

Why Work With FinancePath?

A 5% deposit home loan is not a one-size-fits-all product. The right lender, the right loan amount, and the right interest rate all depend on your personal financial situation. FinancePath works with you to understand how much you can afford to spend on a home, which scheme you are eligible for, and which participating lenders offer the most suitable conditions for your circumstances.

Whether you are a first home buyer taking your first steps, a single parent looking at the Family Home Guarantee, or someone returning to the property market after a break, the 5% Deposit Scheme could be the pathway you have been looking for. Our team at FinancePath is here to walk you through every part of the process, from checking your First Home Buyers eligibility and reviewing your borrowing capacity to lodging your Home Loan application with the right lender.

If you are unsure whether you qualify for a low deposit home loan or want to understand the limited guarantee places available this financial year, reach out to FinancePath today. You can also explore our Home Guarantee Scheme page for more detail on each stream, or use our borrowing capacity calculator to get a clearer picture of where you stand. The 5% Deposit Scheme has helped thousands of Australians get into the property market sooner, and with the right support, it could do the same for you.

Let our credit advisers guide you through our 3-step lending journey

FinancePath Clarity & Preparation

1. Clarity & Preparation

We begin by gaining a deep understanding of you - your goals, your lifestyle, your current position, and where you want to be in the future.

At this stage, we focus on asking the questions that matter to you, not just the questions lenders require. This allows us to build a strategy that supports your life today and your longterm plans, not just a transaction.

During this stage, we:

  • Discuss your objectives, lifestyle priorities, and longterm goals
  • Explore what financial success looks like for you now and into the future
  • Gather the key details needed to build a strong lending profile
  • Provide clarity around what's possible and outline a clear pathway forward

This first step ensures we're aligned and preparing a lending plan that's tailored specifically to your needs - not a one size fits all approach. It's all about setting the right foundation so the rest of the journey feels simple, informed, and stress free.

2. Tailored Solution & Approval

Next, we design a personalised lending solution around your unique circumstances and guide you through every part of the approval journey.

After analysing your position and reviewing the broader lending market, we provide you with a clear, personalised borrowing capacity and a lending structure that aligns with both your immediate needs and future goals.

In this stage, we:

  • Analyse your financial position and lending objectives in detail
  • Assess market options to identify the most suitable lenders and products
  • Present a custom built finance strategy tailored to you
  • Provide clarity on your borrowing capacity and structure your loan accordingly
  • Manage the application process from start to finish
  • Coordinate with lenders and handle all required documentation

You'll always know where things stand, what's coming next, and what actions (if any) you need to take. We remove the complexity from this step so you can move forward with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.

FinancePath Tailored Solution & Approval

FinancePath Settlement & Ongoing Support

3. Settlement & Ongoing Support

Once approved, we support you through settlement and continue to work with you well beyond your loan being put in place.

Settlement is not the end of the journey - it's the beginning of an ongoing relationship designed to ensure your lending continues to support your life as it evolves.

Here's what this includes:

  • Ensuring your loan is fully finalised and set up correctly
  • Providing clear guidance so you understand how your lending works from day one
  • Regularly checking in to ensure your loan and facilities remain the best fit for you
  • Reviewing your structure over time to keep you competitive as the market changes
  • Identifying opportunities for future growth and strategic financial moves

We proactively reach out to ensure your lending remains aligned with your goals - now and into the future - giving you the confidence and peace of mind that we have your back.

Your lending journey doesn't end at settlement, and neither does our support. Our ongoing approach ensures you're always well positioned to make the most of your financial opportunities.

We work with Australia's leading lenders

Select over 40 different lenders offering hundreds of products

Get in touch with the team today

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What our $_review_count 5-star reviews say.

Rated 5.0 from 265 Reviews

Review from Google

Chris and his team have been a pleasure to deal with during the whole process. Very informative and got us a great result with our remortgage.

Nick Little

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claire stronge

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John Denier

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Jake was amazing, so personable and an excellent broker!

kath brundell

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Hands down the best broker experience we have ever had. Mark, his team and network of property professionals made our experience 10/10. Have already told all my family and friends, can’t recommend FinancePath more!

Brayden King

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Lee Francois

Why choose a Mortgage Adviser like us?

Why choose a Mortgage Adviser like us?

We envision a world where financial stress is a thing of the past. Where everyone has a trusted partner guiding them through life’s biggest financial decisions—24/7.

We’re here to help you seize opportunities, avoid pitfalls, and live your best life. Not just for you, but for your family, friends, and future generations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

We often get asked the same questions about smart money management. Here are our answers.
How are you different from a broker?

Many brokers focus on how much you can borrow. We focus on how much you should borrow — and, just as importantly, why.
Rather than producing a generic borrowing capacity figure, our role is to ask the right questions upfront so your lending strategy actually fits your life. We take the time to understand your income structure, expenses, lifestyle priorities, future plans, and risk tolerance before discussing numbers. This ensures your lending position supports where you’re heading, not just what a calculator says is possible.
From there, we help you shape a personalised lending strategy — considering cash flow, tax implications, flexibility, and future opportunities — so your finance decisions remain sustainable and intentional over time. Our focus is on clarity and confidence, not maximising debt.
We also stay involved beyond settlement. That means helping you understand how your loan works day‑to‑day, keeping an eye on whether it still suits your circumstances, and checking in as your goals or situation evolve.
Unlike many brokers, we hold an Australian Credit Licence (ACL), which means we are required to meet strict compliance standards, maintain professional indemnity insurance, manage dispute resolution processes, and demonstrate adequate resources and systems. This provides reassurance that you’re working with a licensed professional held to high regulatory and ethical standards.
In short, we don’t just arrange loans — we help you make lending decisions that still feel right years down the track.

How do you make your money?

Instead, we’re paid through commissions by the fund provider when a loan settles and, in some cases, while the loan remains in place. This payment structure does not change our legal obligations to you.
As licensed mortgage brokers, we are required to act in your best interests and comply with responsible lending obligations under Australian law. That means we must take reasonable steps to ensure any loan we recommend is suitable for your circumstances, aligns with your objectives, and does not place you in financial hardship. Our duty is to you — not the lender.
Banks, by contrast, are only required to ensure a loan is not unsuitable for their customer. They are not held to the same best‑interests obligation and are limited to offering products from their own range.
Our process is designed around these higher standards. We focus on understanding your full financial position, asking the right questions, and recommending lending solutions that are sustainable over the long term — not simply what you might qualify for today.
This approach gives you confidence that your lending decisions are being made carefully, responsibly, and with your interests at the centre — both now and into the future.

Do I need to take out a loan to use your other services?

Not at all. Whatever stage of life you are in or financial position you find yourself in, we can help bring clarity to your money matters. We may identify loan products with better rates, or help you build a smarter end-to-end money management strategy. It all starts with a free smart money management consultation. Whether you are looking to reduce debt, grow wealth, or simply get a clearer picture of your finances, our team is ready to help you take the next step. There are no obligations and no pressure, just straightforward, honest guidance tailored to your situation. Give us a call on 1300 780 440 to get started.

What happens if interest rates change after my loan settles?

Interest rate movements are one of the most common concerns we hear from borrowers — and understandably so. Even small changes can affect repayments and your longer‑term financial position.
At FinancePath, you’re not left to navigate these changes on your own. Our role is to help you understand how rate movements may affect your loan and to be available when it makes sense to review your options. When you’re considering a change — whether that’s reviewing your rate, restructuring your loan, or exploring refinancing — we’ll walk you through the implications clearly so you can make an informed decision.
We also focus heavily on getting the structure right from the outset. That includes discussing fixed versus variable rates, split loan options, and flexibility features, so your loan is aligned with your goals and risk tolerance from day one — not just current market conditions.
Our approach is about long‑term suitability, not constant switching. As your circumstances or the lending environment change, we’re here to help you assess what still makes sense, so your loan continues to support your broader financial plans over time.

How long will it take to get my loan approved?

Missing out on a great property because your bank is buried in paperwork is frustrating — and avoidable. We work closely with a wide range of Australian lenders, including specialist lending teams that don’t deal directly with the public. This allows us to assess your situation efficiently and guide your application through the process without unnecessary delays.
Whether you’re seeking pre‑approval or need a fast turnaround on a purchase, we focus on momentum so you’re always ready to act. No sitting on hold. No waiting weeks for updates. When the right opportunity comes along, you’ll be in a strong position to move forward with confidence.

How long does the mortgage application process typically take?

While every situation is different, most applications move from initial submission through to settlement within two to six weeks. Your first financial assessment and loan recommendation can typically happen within days of providing your details. From there, formal application and lender assessment generally takes one to two weeks, though complexity, document readiness, and the lender's current workload can all influence the timeline. Property valuations and legal checks can also add time depending on the circumstances. Pre-approval can often be obtained faster, sometimes within just a few days. At FinancePath, we work to keep things moving efficiently at every stage and will keep you informed throughout so there are never any surprises. The goal is always to get you to settlement as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Why do you focus on getting finance ready before I find a property?

Most people approach a bank only after finding a property they want. By that point, time pressure is working against you, and any gaps in your application become urgent problems.
We take the opposite approach. Getting your lending position clear before you need it means we can ask the right questions, gather the correct documents, and present your application accurately, without the rush. Approval timeframes ultimately depend on the lender and loan type, but our role is to remove every delay on your side, avoiding back-and-forth, last-minute surprises, and unnecessary bottlenecks.
The result is that when the right property comes along, you're already organised, informed, and ready to act. Not scrambling to catch up.

Can you still help me if I am self-employed or have irregular income?

Being self-employed or running your own business should never be a barrier to building your property portfolio or securing the finance you need. Traditional lenders often apply a one-size-fits-all approach that puts self-employed applicants at an unfair disadvantage. At FinancePath, we work with self-employed borrowers and business owners every day. We know which lenders genuinely understand variable income, what documentation they require, and how to present your application in the strongest possible way. Whether you are using business financials, tax returns, or business activity statements, we help you put your best foot forward. Some lenders actively specialise in self-employed borrowers and offer more flexible criteria, and our job is to connect you with the right one while making sure you are getting a competitive deal.