For most people, the best home loan typically has a low interest rate, no fees and an offset account.
But what makes the best home loan for one person won't necessarily make the best home loan for another.
Because of that, our experts have chosen top picks for different home loans that might be the best for different people, depending on what they want from their loan.
Our picks for the best home loans for March:
These home loans have a Finder Score of at least 8/10. The higher the score, the better the loan against others in its category. Scores above an 8 will have lower rates and fees than other loans of its type.
You can’t borrow more than 80% of the property value
Why we like it
This home loan offers a perk like no other. Not only does it consistently have great rates, but for every year that you have the loan, Unloan will knock 0.01% off your interest rate. This means your loan will get slightly cheaper every year (on top of being a consistently low rate compared to most home loans).
Unloan doesn't bump up the costs in other areas either, as this home loan has no fees. If you're not concerned about an offset account, it's hard to beat a loan this cheap.
This home loan has a Finder Score of 9.21.
Best home loan pick for first home buyers
loans.com.au Solar Home Loan - LVR 90% (Owner Occupier, P&I)
Have to pay an extra 0.10% p.a. if you want to add an offset account
Why we like it
You need to have solar panels - or be planning to install them - to be eligible for this loan. But if that’s you, you can benefit from a really competitive interest rate. As a first home buyer it’s a particularly good home loan because of the higher LVR.
You can’t borrow more than 80% of the property value
Why we like it
Investors sometimes pull the short straw with their home loans, but Unloan rewards its investor borrowers with the same perk as its owner occupiers. For every year you hold the loan, Unloan will knock off 0.01% from the interest rate. Add that to no fees and unlimited redraw, this makes a great loan.
This home loan has a Finder Score of 9.06.
Best home loan pick for cashback
ANZ Plus Home Loan Variable Rate - (Owner Occupier, P&I)
Track your loan repayments and progress with the app
This loan (and cash back offer) is only available for refinancers earning a PAYG income.
You cannot use ANZ branches or ANZ Internet Banking to apply for or manage an ANZ Plus home loan.
This loan is not available for borrowers in Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
Why we like it
ANZ’s digital offering with ANZ Plus offers one of the most competitive interest rates from a Big Four provider. Not only do you get the satisfaction of a Big Four name, but you benefit from no application fee, plus a 100% offset account.
This home loan has a Finder Score of 9.08.
Best home loan pick for redraw
Newcastle Permanent Real Deal Home Loan - Special Offer 1 (Owner Occupier, P&I)
This loan comes with a redraw facility for extra repayments.
You can split your home loan into multiple loan account.
A high application fee of $595.
There is no offset account attached to this loan.
Much higher interest rates for borrowers with LVRs of above 80%.
Why we like it
Offering extra repayments and free redraw isn’t necessarily a unique feature. But if you’ve got a deposit or home equity worth more than 20% of the property price, this loan gives you a whopping 2.20% discount. Although there’s a high $595 application fee, you’ve got no ongoing fees to worry about while you pay off the loan itself.
This home loan has a Finder Score of 8.66.
Best home loan pick for offset
loans.com.au Solar Home Loan - LVR 90% (Owner Occupier, P&I)
Have to pay an extra 0.10% p.a. if you want to add an offset account
Why we like it
You need to have solar panels - or be planning to install them - to be eligible for this loan. But if that’s you, you can benefit from a really competitive interest rate. As a first home buyer it’s a particularly good home loan because of the higher LVR.
This home loan has a Finder Score of 9.19.
How do I get the best deal on a home loan?
There are 3 things every borrower needs to look at when hunting for the perfect home loan:
Find a lower rate
Avoid big fees
Get the mortgage features you need
1. Find a lower rate
The interest rate determines your borrowing costs. The lower the rate, the less interest you pay each month.
Let's say your loan amount is $500,000 with a 30-year loan term. Here's how different rates change the repayments.
Interest rate
Monthly repayment
5.75%
$2,918
6.00%
$2,998
6.25%
$3,079
6.50%
$3,161
6.75%
$3,243
7.00%
$3,327
7.25%
$3,411
The best home loan will always have a low interest rate compared to most loans on the market.
2. Avoid big fees
While a low rate is more important, don't forget to add up the cost of fees. Ongoing annual fees can cost hundreds of dollars and one-off application or settlement fees can costs hundreds more.
Home loans with added features can offer you more flexibility in how you repay and manage your loan:
Offset accounts can help you cut down your interest repayments.
Redraw facilities let you take out extra money you've paid into your mortgage to use in emergencies.
Loan portability lets you move your home loan from one property to another without refinancing.
43% of Australians think an offset account is one of the most important features when considering a home loan, according to a Finder survey.
"For me, the best home loan needs to have an offset account along with a low interest rate. My home loan offset account is now my primary savings account. Instead of earning interest, I offset the interest my lender charges every day. This works for me because the rate on my home loan is higher than a savings account, and the debt is large. I'm saving thousands of dollars and will pay the loan off much faster this way."
The ideal home loan is one with the lowest interest rate - but that doesn't mean it's the best one for you!
The best home loan is unique to your own circumstances. It's about finding one that fits your life, your goals and your budget.
For example, the best home loan for a first home buyer won't be the best home loan for a seasoned investor.
And while many borrowers in today's market are choosing a variable interest rate, that's not necessarily the best for everyone.
Whatever the situation, the best home loan is the one that saves you money and gives you the tools to manage your mortgage on your terms.
Let's take a look at some scenarios:
A property investor with a mortgage on the family home
Plenty of property investors haven't paid their own home loans off yet. For this type of borrower, one approach could be as follows:
Make sure your owner-occupier loan has a low interest rate. Focus on repaying this debt as fast as possible. The interest you pay on your home loan is not tax deductible. But it is on your investment loan.
Choose interest-only repayments on your investment loan. This allows you to minimise your investment loan repayments while focusing on your own home loan first. This makes sense because the interest is tax deductible too.
This is just one approach for a property investor to take. In a complex scenario like this, getting personal advice from a mortgage broker and an accountant is a really good idea.
A first home buyer struggling to save a 20% deposit
Many aspiring first time property buyers find saving for their deposit the most difficult hurdle. In this case, the best home loan is not necessarily one with the lowest interest rate.
The best home loan may be one that allows for a higher loan-to-value ratio. This allows them to borrow with a lower deposit, usually as low as 5%. These loans typically come with slightly higher interest rates.
First home buyers may also want to take advantage of government first home buyer schemes. Not all lenders take part in these schemes so the best home loan here would be from a lender that does.
A homebuyer with extra money in savings
Whether you're buying your first home or refinancing your existing loan, ideally you're looking for a low interest rate. But sometimes the best home loan is a slightly higher interest rate in exchange for better features. Particularly if that feature is an offset account, which could actually save you more money than if you'd gone for a lower rate.
If you have money sitting in your savings account, and you don't want to invest it, a loan with a 100% offset account might be the best one for you.
Any money in your offset account is taken off your remaining loan value, reducing the amount of interest you'll pay. The more money you save in there, the more money you'll save on interest over the life of the loan.
You've signed a contract to buy and you're running out of time
If settlement day is fast approaching and you haven't got a home loan approved, the best home loan is the one that a lender will approve quickly.
This could mean a few things. You might abandon the hunt for a better deal and just talk to your own bank. Or you might try an online lender with a fast approval process.
You're a young couple wanting to start a family
Whether you're a first home buyer or you're refinancing, you'll need to decide between a variable interest rate or a fixed interest rate. While for a lot of people choosing between the 2 might be more about the market, the best option for you may depend on other reasons.
Perhaps you're a couple planning to start a family in the next couple of years. A fixed rate might give you the confidence that your repayments aren't going to change as you navigate parental leave and the extra costs of a family. As such, this may give you the peace of mind that that makes it the best loan for you over a variable loan.
What were the best home loans in 2024?
Every year Finder runs awards to find the best home loans from the previous 12 months. These are the loans which came out on top in the 2024 Finder Best Home Loan Awards. Like the loans with high Finder Scores, these loans will have lower costs than other loans in their category.
🏆 Best Owner Occupier Variable Home Loan – Tiimely – Live in 10% deposit variable Rate - Principal and Interest (with offset)
🏆 Best Owner Occupier Fixed Home Loan - 1 year – BCU – Fixed Rate Home Loan, 1 year (Owner Occupier, P&I)
🏆 Best Owner Occupier Fixed Home Loan - 2 year – Australian Mutual Bank – Fixed Home Loan, 2 year fixed (Owner Occupier)
🏆 Best Owner Occupier Fixed Home Loan - 3 year – The Capricornian – Premium Choice Home Loan - Fixed 3 Year LVR ≤90% (Owner Occupier)
🏆 Best First Home Buyer Home Loan – Tiimely - Live in 10% deposit variable Rate - Principal and Interest (with offset)
🏆 Best Owner Occupier Refinance Variable – Tiimely – Live in 10% deposit variable Rate - Principal and Interest (with offset)
🏆 Best Owner Occupier Refinance Fixed – Pacific Mortgage Group - Fixed Home Loan - 1 Year (Owner Occupier, P&I)
🏆 Best Investor P&I Variable Home Loan – Bendigo Bank – Live in Express Variable Home Loan (Investor, P&I)
🏆 Best Investor IO Variable Home Loan – G&C Mutual Bank – Momentum Home Loan - LVR 60 to 80% Special Offer (Investor, IO)
🏆 Best Investor Fixed Home Loan - 1 Year – BCU – Fixed Rate Home Loan, 1 year (Investor, IO)
🏆 Best Investor Fixed Home Loan - 2 Year – Greater Bank – Great Rate Home Loan, 2 year fixed (Investor, IO)
🏆 Best Investor Fixed Home Loan - 3 Year – Greater Bank – Great Rate Home Loan, 3 year fixed (Investor, IO)
Check out the full awards page to learn more about how we chose the winners.
Top 5 home loan providers for customer satisfaction in 2024
Want to know what people actually feel about their home loan provider? Each year, thousands of Australians rate brands they've used as part of Finder's Customer Satisfaction Awards program. Aussies rate brands within a product category across a range of metrics, including 'value for money' and 'customer service'. Here are the results:
Lender
Overall satisfaction
Trustworthy/reliable
★★★★★ 4.23/5
91.5%
★★★★★ 4.17/5
92.5%
★★★★★ 4.16/5
94%
★★★★★ 4.09/5
92%
★★★★★ 3.97/5
92.5%
Need more help finding the best home loan for you? Talk to a mortgage broker
Mortgage brokers are professionals who have access to a panel of lenders. They can find you a product that matches your financial needs and also help with your application.
There's no one best home loan for every borrower. And there is certainly isn't one bank that consistently has the best home loan in Australia.
Online lenders tend to offer the lowest interest rates. For many borrowers that's enough. But it's worth comparing a wide range of lenders to make sure you really find the bank or lender with the best loan for you.
At the moment, the home loan market is incredibly competitive and rates are changing as lenders expect the cash rate to fall.
Typically, the lowest interest rates are offered by online lenders rather than larger banks like the Big Four. But there's not always a big gap, and this doesn't mean the Big Four don't offer the best loan for you.
Finding the best interest rate is still important though, because you can save thousands in the cost of repayments.
A $600,000 home loan with a 5.00% interest rate over 30 years would cost you $3,221 a month. But the same loan with an interest rate of 5.50% would cost you $3,407 a month. That's $2,232 more expensive in a year.
Rates vary based on the loan type and features. But as a general guide:
The average variable owner occupier interest rate for March 2025 is 7.01%. The lowest variable owner occupier interest rate for March 2025 is 4.99%
The average fixed owner occupier interest rate for March 2025 is 6.36%. The lowest fixed owner occupier interest rate for March 2025 is 5.29%
To get a wider sense of what's a competitive rate in the current market, take a look at our current home loan rates guide.
A few months ago interest rates were more around the 6% mark, but rates have dropped since the market began expecting the RBA would cut the cash rate.
Most interest rates are closer to the 5.50% mark, with some fixed rate options even lower. 4.75% is an incredible interest rate for this period, but the lowest rate on the market at the moment is a fixed rate of 5.14%.
The lowest rates at the moment typically have conditions attached (like green energy conditions) or have lower LVRs.
The rate you can get also depends on each lender but also whether it is P&I or interest only; whether it is investment or owner occupied; and what your LVR is. It is only a good interest rate if it delivers the home loan you need.
Package home loans offer you a combination of a home loan, bank account and a credit card, sometimes with other products too.
They can be a good offering if you are in the market for those other products, as they usually remove the normal fees for those additional products. The loans come with very competitive fees. In fact, many package loans score highly with our Finder Score, meaning they are competitive in cost with basic home loans.
Package home loans will come with an annual package fee though. This can cost a few hundred dollars a year and you pay it every year of the loan.
To work out if a package loan is right for you, be sure to factor in the cost of the package fee. And decide if you really need the other products in the package. It could be a convenient option to have all your banking and loan products in one place. Or you might be better off finding a low rate loan elsewhere and avoiding the package aspect altogether.
It never hurts to ask for a discount. The worst your lender can do is say no. Some mortgage brokers claim they can get discounts for their clients, but you can always ask your lender yourself. It helps to be in a good financial position before asking for a lower rate, of course. [/fin_accordion]
Explaining our top picks
Every month, our home loan experts take a look at the top scoring products in our Finder Score data to find the best home loan picks from our partner lenders.
Our home loan picks showcase the best loans for:
First home buyers
Refinancers
Investors
Redraw
Offset accounts
Cashback offers
What is Finder Score?
The Finder Score crunches 7,000 home loans across 120+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.
To provide a Score, we compare like-for-like loans. So if you're trying to find the best home loan for you, you can see how each product stacks up against other home loans with the same borrower type, rate type and repayment type. In the case of fixed loans, we also split them up into short term and long term fixed rates.
Rebecca Pike is Finder’s senior money writer, with over 10 years of experience in mortgages and personal finance. A frequent TV and radio commentator, she frequently appears on Sunrise, A Current Affair, 9News, and Sky News, and contributes expert analysis to publications like Yahoo Finance and The Latch. Rebecca previously served as Editor of Mortgage Professional Australia. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism as well as ASIC-recognised certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products, which comply with ASIC guidelines. See full bio
Rebecca's expertise
Rebecca has written 218 Finder guides across topics including:
What is the best home loan rate for refinancing a $1.1m loan?
Finder
RebeccaNovember 22, 2022Finder
Hi Frederick,
The best home loan interest rate can vary depending on borrower circumstances and what you’re looking for in a home loan.
You can use our comparison tool to help you find the most competitive rates in the market. Consider your borrowing needs and shop around to look for loans with low fees and other loan features you might need.
You can also look into speaking with a mortgage broker to assist you in finding the loan that best fits your interest-rate needs and financial situation.
All the best,
Rebecca
SueMarch 4, 2020
I have a home loan for my current property around 300k. If i rent out that home rental income enough for pay capital& interest. If i want to buy another property, is it for borrowing power calculation is it total income alone
Used or bank use only % of my current income?
NikkiMarch 5, 2020
Hi Sue,
If the property has tenants and regular income the lender will probably take it into consideration when looking at borrowing power, but it’s worth checking with a lender before applying with them. Some lenders may only take 80% of your rental income as part of your borrowing power.
Best,
Nikki
angelesApril 24, 2019
hi,im looking for a low deposit home loan asap
Finder
JohnApril 25, 2019Finder
Hi Angeles,
If you are looking for low deposit home loan providers, look at the “Max LVR” portion of the comparison table we are on. The higher the Max LVR, the lower your deposit would be. An example is: For a Max LVR of 80%, you provide 20% deposit on it. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
MarkJuly 1, 2018
I am 20 yrs old trying to go for my first house I work full time and I don’t have too much saved up yet in my opinion so where do I get started?
Finder
JoshuaJuly 1, 2018Finder
Hi Mark,
As a general rule, you need to save at least 10% of the property value. This can give a 5% buffer (for a maximum 95% LVR loan) to pay costs such as stamp duty and LMI onto the principal of the loan.
Ensure that there is a high likelihood that you’ll qualify for a home loan before you apply. The way the credit system works, each application for credit is recorded against your name. Multiple entries in a short space will more than likely lead to rejection. Other factors that lenders may consider to assess your eligibility are your income, assets, liabilities, employment and credit history.
Moreover, you mentioned that you are a first-time homebuyer. In this case, you may want to read our guide about the First Home Owners Grant.”
Finally, if you want to know more about the things you need in a loan when buying your first home.
Cheers,
Joshua
HelenNovember 23, 2017
I am 48. Never had a loan for anything as I believe you don’t get unless you have. I am entitled to the first home owners grant. Currently I’m on a sickness benefit but looking for work down the track. I’ve been looking at rentals but if I can buy my own home rather than pay someone elses off I don’t see why not to go for it. Where do I stand ?
Finder
JudithNovember 24, 2017Finder
Hi Helen,
Thanks for reaching out to us. I hope all is well with you today.
At the moment, we do not have a specific list of home loan lenders that accept sickness benefits as your main source of income. Finding a lender may require you to do some research or you may contact a mortgage broker who can take your personal circumstance into account and offer you a range of borrowing options. Once you’ve found a lender who is willing to help, you may proceed with the regular application process. Please note that you will need to provide extra information about your income.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria and requirements of the loan option or lender and make sure to read the details, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements / Terms & Conditions of the loan option before making a decision and consider whether the product or option is right for you.
Home loan cashback deals can help you refinance to a cheaper interest rate and get a lump sum cash payment. Compare the latest deals and check your eligibility today.
What is an offset account? It can save you thousands in interest and help you own your home sooner.
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We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
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We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
A property investor with a mortgage on the family home
A first home buyer struggling to save a 20% deposit
A homebuyer with extra money in savings
You've signed a contract to buy and you're running out of time
You're a young couple wanting to start a family
What were the best home loans in 2024?
What is the best home loan rate for refinancing a $1.1m loan?
Hi Frederick,
The best home loan interest rate can vary depending on borrower circumstances and what you’re looking for in a home loan.
You can use our comparison tool to help you find the most competitive rates in the market. Consider your borrowing needs and shop around to look for loans with low fees and other loan features you might need.
You can also look into speaking with a mortgage broker to assist you in finding the loan that best fits your interest-rate needs and financial situation.
All the best,
Rebecca
I have a home loan for my current property around 300k. If i rent out that home rental income enough for pay capital& interest. If i want to buy another property, is it for borrowing power calculation is it total income alone
Used or bank use only % of my current income?
Hi Sue,
If the property has tenants and regular income the lender will probably take it into consideration when looking at borrowing power, but it’s worth checking with a lender before applying with them. Some lenders may only take 80% of your rental income as part of your borrowing power.
Best,
Nikki
hi,im looking for a low deposit home loan asap
Hi Angeles,
If you are looking for low deposit home loan providers, look at the “Max LVR” portion of the comparison table we are on. The higher the Max LVR, the lower your deposit would be. An example is: For a Max LVR of 80%, you provide 20% deposit on it. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
I am 20 yrs old trying to go for my first house I work full time and I don’t have too much saved up yet in my opinion so where do I get started?
Hi Mark,
As a general rule, you need to save at least 10% of the property value. This can give a 5% buffer (for a maximum 95% LVR loan) to pay costs such as stamp duty and LMI onto the principal of the loan.
Ensure that there is a high likelihood that you’ll qualify for a home loan before you apply. The way the credit system works, each application for credit is recorded against your name. Multiple entries in a short space will more than likely lead to rejection. Other factors that lenders may consider to assess your eligibility are your income, assets, liabilities, employment and credit history.
Moreover, you mentioned that you are a first-time homebuyer. In this case, you may want to read our guide about the First Home Owners Grant.”
Finally, if you want to know more about the things you need in a loan when buying your first home.
Cheers,
Joshua
I am 48. Never had a loan for anything as I believe you don’t get unless you have. I am entitled to the first home owners grant. Currently I’m on a sickness benefit but looking for work down the track. I’ve been looking at rentals but if I can buy my own home rather than pay someone elses off I don’t see why not to go for it. Where do I stand ?
Hi Helen,
Thanks for reaching out to us. I hope all is well with you today.
At the moment, we do not have a specific list of home loan lenders that accept sickness benefits as your main source of income. Finding a lender may require you to do some research or you may contact a mortgage broker who can take your personal circumstance into account and offer you a range of borrowing options. Once you’ve found a lender who is willing to help, you may proceed with the regular application process. Please note that you will need to provide extra information about your income.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria and requirements of the loan option or lender and make sure to read the details, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements / Terms & Conditions of the loan option before making a decision and consider whether the product or option is right for you.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Judith