Knowledge Centre

Start with the question you are trying to solve. Our guides explain what can vary by lender, what to prepare and the next practical step.

Employment income

• Started a new permanent job? What lenders may check before using the income
• On probation? Why lender treatment genuinely differs
• Casual income: why 3, 6 and 12 months can open different doors
• Contract income: what can change lender to lender?
• Overtime income: when it’s usable, and when it isn’t
• Commission income: why one strong month isn’t enough
• Bonus income: is it counted as ongoing income?
• A second job: does it actually help your application?
• Parental leave and returning to work: what lenders want to see
• Why can two lenders use different amounts of the same income?

Self-employed

• Self-employed for 6, 12, 18 or 24 months? The business-age ladder
• One year or two years of self-employed financials?
• Your business profit jumped sharply, does the lender use the full amount?
• Your latest business year was down, what happens next
• Depreciation and other add-backs
• Business or company liabilities: how they affect personal borrowing capacity
• Full Doc, Alt Doc or Mid Doc?

First home

• How much cash do I actually need to buy?
• The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, explained properly
• Does a first-home buyer need 5% genuine savings?
• Gifted deposit from family: what should you prepare?
• First Home Super Saver: how it actually works
• Help to Buy: is shared equity right for you?
• What does a 10% deposit actually change?
• Pre-approval: what it actually protects you from
• LVR and LMI explained: why the same deposit can cost different amounts

Construction & off-the-plan

• How a construction loan is actually funded, from land to final draw
• House & land packages: why two contracts change the timing
• Building on vacant land
• Building a home: what happens at each progress payment?
• Buying off-the-plan: why the loan decision is often made twice

Refinance

• Refinancing: rate saving vs total switching cost
• Fixed loan break cost: what it actually is
• Term reset: why a lower repayment can still cost you more

Loan features

• Fixing your rate and locking your rate are not the same thing
• Fixed, variable or split: which trade-off actually suits you?
• Interest only vs Principal & Interest
• Offset vs redraw: what is the practical difference?
• Extra repayments: how a little more, a little more often, adds up
• Fortnightly vs monthly repayments
• Loan term and total interest
• Comparison rate: what it actually tells you
• Package and annual fees
• Cashback offers: a one-off credit, not a lower ongoing cost
• Portability: can your loan actually move with you?

Credit & residency

• A paid default on your file: does it actually rule you out?
• Mortgage arrears in your history
• Bankruptcy or Part IX: is it ever possible to borrow again?
• On a temporary visa? What actually changes for a home loan

Property

• Buying an apartment? Why the security itself can change your lender options
• Buying vacant land as a hold, not an immediate build

Process

• Valuation: why the bank’s number doesn’t have to match your contract price
• Loan documents: what you’re actually signing, and when
• Settlement day: what actually has to line up

State and territory government support

• NSW
• Victoria
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Tasmania
• Australian Capital Territory
• Northern Territory

Government guides link to official sources. Check the current conditions before relying on a grant, concession or duty outcome.