Saving a deposit while paying rent is one of the biggest challenges facing home buyers in Australia today. Property prices keep climbing, and for many people, the gap between where they are now and where they want to be feels like it is getting wider every year. That is where a no deposit loan can make a real difference.
A no deposit home loan, sometimes called a zero deposit loan or 100% home loan, allows you to borrow the full purchase price of a property without needing to save a traditional cash deposit first. Instead of putting down 10% or 20% of the property value yourself, you use an alternative form of security to satisfy the lender's requirements. At FinancePath, we help everyday Australians across Melbourne understand whether no deposit borrowing is a realistic option for their situation, and we walk you through every step of the process.
What Is a No Deposit Loan?
A no deposit home loan is a type of 100% finance arrangement where the loan amount covers the full purchase price of the property. Because the loan to value ratio (LVR) is 100%, meaning there is no cash deposit reducing the lender's risk, most standard lenders will not offer this product directly. Instead, no deposit lenders typically require a guarantor, most commonly a family member, to provide additional security using equity in their own property.
This is commonly known as a family guarantee or family security arrangement. A parent or close relative agrees to use their home as security for part of your loan, which allows you to access 100% finance without needing savings. It is sometimes called a guarantor no deposit loan, and it is one of the most popular no deposit alternatives available to first home buyers in Australia.
If you are a no deposit first home buyer, this kind of arrangement can be a genuine pathway to immediate ownership rather than spending years building up a deposit while the market moves ahead of you. You can learn more about how this works through our guarantor loans page.
No Deposit LMI and Why It Matters
One of the biggest costs associated with borrowing at a high LVR is Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). LMI is a one-off insurance premium that protects the lender, not you, if you default on the loan. It can add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of your loan and is typically required when you borrow more than 80% of the property value.
With a family guarantee no deposit arrangement, it is often possible to avoid LMI altogether because the guarantor's property reduces the lender's effective risk below the threshold that triggers the premium. This is one of the key no deposit benefits that makes the family guarantee approach so attractive compared to other high-LVR options. Our no LMI loans page explains this in more detail if you want to explore it further.
No Deposit Interest Rates and Repayments
It is important to understand that a no deposit home loan will generally come with a higher interest rate than a standard loan with a full deposit. Because you are borrowing 100% of the property value, lenders view this as a higher-risk arrangement, and the no deposit interest rate will reflect that. You may have the choice between a variable interest rate and a fixed interest rate depending on the lender and your circumstances.
No deposit repayments will also be higher than they would be on a loan where you have contributed a deposit, simply because you are borrowing more. Before committing to a no deposit mortgage, it is worth using our borrowing capacity calculator to get a clear picture of what you can realistically afford to repay each month.
FinancePath works with a wide range of no deposit lenders and can access home loan options from banks and lenders across Australia to find a structure that suits your income, your goals, and your family's situation.
No Deposit Eligibility and Requirements
Not everyone will qualify for a no deposit home loan, and no deposit eligibility requirements vary between lenders. Generally speaking, you will need a stable income, a clean credit history, and a willing guarantor who has sufficient equity in their security property. The guarantor's property value and the amount of equity they hold will affect how much you can borrow and whether the arrangement can cover your full loan amount.
No deposit application requirements also typically include standard documentation such as payslips, tax returns, bank statements, and identification. The no deposit application process at FinancePath is straightforward. We review your situation, explain your options clearly, and help you prepare a strong application for no deposit approval.
It is also worth noting that a no deposit loan does not remove the need to cover other upfront costs such as stamp duty, legal fees, and conveyancing charges. These costs still need to be accounted for in your budget, and our team can help you plan for them.
No Deposit vs Low Deposit Options
A no deposit home loan is not the only way to get into the market with limited savings. There are also low deposit options worth considering, including the Home Guarantee Scheme and the 5% deposit scheme, which allow eligible buyers to purchase with a smaller deposit and reduced or waived LMI. Whether a no deposit or low deposit approach is right for you will depend on your personal circumstances, your family's ability to help, and the lenders available to you.
FinancePath can help you compare your options honestly so you can make a confident, informed decision. If you are a first home buyer in Melbourne, we encourage you to also download our First Home Buyer's Guide for a practical overview of the buying process from start to finish.
If parents help is part of your plan, our ebook Helping Your Child Buy a Home is a great resource for families thinking through the guarantor process together.
No deposit risks are real and should be understood clearly before you proceed. If you cannot meet your repayments, the guarantor's property is at risk. FinancePath takes the time to make sure both you and your guarantor understand the commitment involved before any application is submitted. We believe that no savings required should never mean no planning required.
Ready to find out whether a no deposit loan is right for you? Book an appointment with the FinancePath team today and let us help you take the next step toward owning your own home.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
















































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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John Denier
Jake was amazing, so personable and an excellent broker!
kath brundell
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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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.
Book AppointmentMany 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.