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Low Deposit Home Loans Melbourne

Get Into the Property Market Sooner With Less Saved

Your Low Deposit Loan Options Explained

Saving a full 20% deposit in Melbourne can feel like a moving target. Property prices keep climbing, rent keeps going up, and the gap between where you are and where you want to be can seem impossible to close. That is where a low deposit home loan can make a real difference. At FinancePath, we help everyday Australians get into the property market sooner, even when their savings are still growing.

What Is a Low Deposit Loan?

A low deposit loan is a home loan where you borrow with a deposit of less than 20% of the property's value. In many cases, you can get started with as little as a 5% deposit or a 10% deposit. This means you do not have to spend years saving before you can stop renting and start building equity in a home of your own. A low deposit home loan is not a niche product, it is a genuine pathway to home ownership that thousands of Australians use every year.

The loan to value ratio, or LVR, is the key figure lenders look at. If you have a 5% deposit, your low deposit LVR sits at 95%. The higher the LVR, the more the lender is lending relative to the property's value. This is why lenders often charge Lenders Mortgage Insurance, or LMI, on low deposit loans. LMI protects the lender if you cannot repay the loan. It does add to your overall loan amount and can mean higher repayments, but for many borrowers, paying LMI costs is still far more practical than waiting years to save a larger deposit.

Who Can Use a Low Deposit Loan?

Low deposit borrowing is available across a range of situations. Whether you are a low deposit first home buyer looking to get a foot on the ladder, someone considering a low deposit investment property, or an owner-occupier ready to upgrade, there are options available. FinancePath works with banks and lenders across Australia to access home loan options suited to your specific circumstances.

If you are a first home buyer, you may also be eligible for the First Home Guarantee or another government low deposit scheme under the Home Guarantee Scheme. These government schemes allow eligible buyers to purchase with only a 5% deposit and avoid paying LMI altogether, which can save tens of thousands of dollars. It is worth checking your eligibility early in the process.

Another popular option is the low deposit family guarantee, sometimes called a guarantor low deposit loan. With a guarantor home loan, a family member, usually a parent, uses equity in their own property to support your low deposit application. This can help you avoid LMI and borrow with a minimal deposit. If you want to understand how this works in more detail, our page on buying with a parent covers the key considerations.

Interest Rates on Low Deposit Loans

One question we hear often at FinancePath is about the low deposit interest rate. Generally speaking, lenders may apply a slightly higher interest rate or fewer interest rate discounts to loans with a high LVR. You can choose between a variable interest rate, which moves with the market, or a fixed interest rate, which locks in your repayments for a set period. Our advisers will walk you through both options so you can choose what suits your situation. You can also use our loan repayment calculator to get a clearer picture of what your low deposit repayments might look like.

Low Deposit Loans for Investors

Low deposit investment loans are also available for those looking to grow wealth through property. If you already own a home and have built up some equity, you may be able to use that equity as your deposit for an investment purchase. For those just starting out, a low deposit investment loan with a 10% deposit home loan structure can be a practical way to get in the market sooner. Our investment loans page has more detail on how this works.

Low Deposit Refinancing

If you already have a mortgage but your equity is still relatively low, a low deposit refinance may still be possible. This can help you access a better interest rate or restructure your loan to suit your current needs. Our team can review your position and help you understand your options. You can also check your current loan's performance with our loan health check.

The Benefits and Risks of Low Deposit Borrowing

The main low deposit benefits are clear. You can get in the market sooner, stop renting sooner, and start building equity without waiting years to save. Property values in Melbourne have historically risen over time, so getting in earlier can work in your favour.

The risks are also worth understanding. A higher LVR means a larger loan amount, which leads to higher repayments. You may also need to pay LMI costs unless you qualify for a government scheme or use a guarantor. And if property values fall shortly after you buy, you could find yourself in a situation where you owe more than the property is worth. These are real considerations, and the team at FinancePath will talk through all of them with you honestly before you make any decisions.

Low Deposit Genuine Savings

Most lenders require evidence of low deposit genuine savings, meaning money you have saved yourself over time rather than a gift or windfall. Typically, lenders want to see at least three months of genuine savings history. Some lenders have more flexible policies, and FinancePath can help you find the right match based on your situation. Understanding what counts as genuine savings for your low deposit application is an important early step.

Stamp Duty and Other Costs

Beyond your deposit, it is important to budget for stamp duty and other upfront costs. First home buyers in Victoria may be eligible for stamp duty concessions or exemptions depending on the purchase price. These savings can make a meaningful difference when you are working with a small deposit. FinancePath will help you understand the full picture of costs so there are no surprises at settlement.

If you are ready to explore your low deposit mortgage options, the team at FinancePath is here to help. Whether you are a first home buyer, an investor, or someone looking to refinance, we will help you find a low deposit loan that works for your situation. Book an appointment today and take the first step toward home ownership sooner.

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.