Principal & interestInvestmentRefinance Only 20% min. deposit
6.29
%
p.a.
interest rate
6.20
%
p.a.
comp. rate
There isn't one best home loan on the market. And all home loans can't be compared equally. So our experts have chosen a top pick for each type of home loan offer that appeals to a wide variety of people in Australia.
Our picks for the best home loans for November:
These home loans have a Finder Score of at least 8/10 in each category.
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.
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 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
Look for a loan that doesn't charge many fees. Ongoing annual fees can cost hundreds of dollars and one-off application or settlement fees can costs hundreds more.
While a low rate is more important, don't forget to add up the cost of fees. Take a look at our full guide on home loan fees so you know what to watch out for.
3. Get mortgage features you need
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.
Best Home Loan Awards winners for 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 Awards.
🏆 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.
"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."
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%
Why the best home loan is different for every borrower
Low rates and fees always matter. But every borrower's needs are slightly different. The best home loan for each borrower depends on their short- and long-term plans.
Here are some examples of specific borrowers with very different needs.
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 cautious homebuyer with plenty of extra money in savings
Let's say you have a 20% deposit and you're looking for a home loan. Obviously, the best loan for you has a low interest rate. But let's say you also have a lot of extra money sitting in your bank account earning very little interest.
Assuming you don't want to invest this money and want access to it in an emergency. In this scenario the best home loan for you will come with a 100% offset account.
The offset account means you can park your savings in the home loan. By saving the money there, you're cutting down the amount of interest your lender charges you.
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.
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. Lenders big and small are offering very competitive rates. In the past, you could usually find the lowest interest rates by looking at online lenders rather than the Big Four. But now the gap between the various lenders is much smaller.
And it's important to look at loan features too. A lender may have the market's lowest rate, but if the loan doesn't allow extra repayments or doesn't have an offset account (and you want one), then it's not the best loan for you.
There are many different home loan rates on the market, with different types of loans having higher or lower rates. To get a good sense of what's a competitive rate in the current market, take a look at our current home loan rates guide.[/faq_question]
Right now, it's basically impossible to get a home loan below 5%. The best rates start around 5.8% for a fixed rate loan and are around and higher 6% for a variable rate loan. The rate you can get 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.
Many lenders offer very low interest rates on package home loans, especially fixed rate package loans. There is nothing wrong with a package loan. It just means you can combine the home loan with a bank account (that usually offsets your loan interest, saving you money) and a credit card or other products.
The package usually means you can avoid fees on some of the products. But you pay an annual package fee instead. This can cost a few hundred dollars a year. But 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.
Rebecca Pike is Finder's senior writer for money. She joined Finder after almost four years writing for business publications in the mortgage and finance industry, including three years as editor of Mortgage Professional Australia. She regularly appears as a money expert on programs like Sunrise and Today, as well as across radio and newspapers. She also holds ASIC-recognised certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products. See full bio
Rebecca's expertise
Rebecca has written 197 Finder guides across topics including:
Repay your loan faster and save thousands by finding a lender that will reduce your LMI. To find the right home loan for you, compare different loans today.
We need to borrow $140,0000. We have some land for sale.
Can we use thar land a deposit. But we are first home loaners. I am on a carers for my mum. Can you help me. Thanks
Finder
ShirleyMarch 2, 2015Finder
Hi Amelia,
Thanks for your question.
Generally, your deposit will need to be funds held in a bank account in Australia. As a first home buyer, you may be eligible for the FHOG if you buy a new property, and be exempt from stamp duty depending on the state or territory you reside in.
If you find that none of the loans we compare are suitable for your situation, there is always the option of speaking to a home loan broker. They will be able to help you further in narrowing down a suitable home loan option for you.
Cheers,
Shirley
CuriousFebruary 25, 2015
Having gone through a marriage break up and finding myself with permanent disability that will get worse as time goes on, I am hoping to secure my physical and financial future with an owner occupier home loan. Though I have no on hand cash at the current moment other than a few hundered in my account, that will change toward the end of year when my Super matures. I would be wanting to use around $120,000 of my own money toward a loan of equal amount. I did go through Bankruptcy due to divorce but am a discharged bankrupt now for over 3 years and have no credit cards or debt other than day to day living expenses. Is it going to be possible for me to bring my plan to fruitation. I have also rented the same property for 8 years and pay an amount of $580 a fortnight in rent. Hoping you can give me some advice on the best way to achieve my goal.
Finder
ShirleyFebruary 25, 2015Finder
Hi Curious,
Thanks for your question.
Since you have been discharged for over three years and have a deposit saved up, most lenders should consider your application.
If you find that you are having trouble finding a lender, you may want to approach a bad credit specialist lender. The requirement is that you have a 10% deposit.
If you find that none of these loans are suitable for your situation, there is always the option of speaking to a home loan broker. They can help you understand your financial position and they can leverage their panel of networks to find a lender that is more inclined to review your application.
Cheers,
Shirley
DeniseFebruary 23, 2015
My son wants to buy an investment property in his name in NSW for $250000. He intends to let it out at the rate of $320 per week. He has $40,000 deposit saved. He is currently seeking part-time work. As he is still at Uni I am prepared to act as guarantor for the mortgage. I reside in Qld and fully own my property which is valued at $600,000. Please advise the best way for him to proceed.
Finder
ShirleyFebruary 23, 2015Finder
Hi Denise,
Thanks for your question.
You can compare a range of guarantor loans and check your eligibility.
I also recommend getting in touch with a licensed mortgage broker. A broker can help you understand your financial position and they can leverage their panel of networks to find a lender that is more inclined to review your application.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.
Cheers,
Shirley
mariaFebruary 6, 2015
Currently using a broker to source cheap house loans etc, but we end up paying her a fee in our repayments, want to avoid this an refinance our loan that’s split to new fixed rates to save some money (as the rates have dropped) fixed term at least 3-5 years which bank/credit union offers the best rate, how can I go about this without using the broker and paying her monthly
cheers Maria’
Finder
ShirleyFebruary 9, 2015Finder
Hi Maria,
Thanks for your question.
Typically, you do not need to pay a mortgage broker a fee for using their services. The lender usually pays them on a commission based on the loan they have settled for you.
You may want to consider using one of the mortgage brokers we have compared. Please ensure that before you commit to anything, it is best to confirm that they do not charge a fee within your repayments. Remember to ensure to read through the relevant product disclosure statement and terms and conditions to ensure that you got everything covered before you apply for the loan.
Cheers,
Shirley
DouglasJanuary 23, 2015
Hi, I have a house and brick shop. I’m unemployed, and have the shop rented $180 per week. I have minimum overheads, am the sole ocupier and wish to pay out the loan of aproximately $25,000. The property is valued at $120,000 and I wish to borrow $80,000 in the regional property tourist area of Victoria. Where can I borrow from? I have a personal income of $300 per week.
Finder
MarcJanuary 27, 2015Finder
Hi Douglas,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder.
I would recommend comparing the loans on this page until you find one that you’re interested in and then contact the lender directly to find out if you’d be eligible to borrow the amount you’re after.
To help you, please enter the amount you’d like to borrow and term. If you like to see the side-by-side comparison between brands, just click the “compare box” below the brand’s logo.
Please click the name of the lender or the “More info” link to be redirected to our review page and learn more about the lender’s loan offer, rates, and requirements as well as the pros and cons of using their loan service. When you are ready, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the lender’s website where you can proceed with the application or get in touch with their representatives for further inquiries you may have.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can speak to a mortgage broker who can take your personal circumstance into account and offer you a range of borrowing options.
I hope this helps,
Marc.
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We need to borrow $140,0000. We have some land for sale.
Can we use thar land a deposit. But we are first home loaners. I am on a carers for my mum. Can you help me. Thanks
Hi Amelia,
Thanks for your question.
Generally, your deposit will need to be funds held in a bank account in Australia. As a first home buyer, you may be eligible for the FHOG if you buy a new property, and be exempt from stamp duty depending on the state or territory you reside in.
If you find that none of the loans we compare are suitable for your situation, there is always the option of speaking to a home loan broker. They will be able to help you further in narrowing down a suitable home loan option for you.
Cheers,
Shirley
Having gone through a marriage break up and finding myself with permanent disability that will get worse as time goes on, I am hoping to secure my physical and financial future with an owner occupier home loan. Though I have no on hand cash at the current moment other than a few hundered in my account, that will change toward the end of year when my Super matures. I would be wanting to use around $120,000 of my own money toward a loan of equal amount. I did go through Bankruptcy due to divorce but am a discharged bankrupt now for over 3 years and have no credit cards or debt other than day to day living expenses. Is it going to be possible for me to bring my plan to fruitation. I have also rented the same property for 8 years and pay an amount of $580 a fortnight in rent. Hoping you can give me some advice on the best way to achieve my goal.
Hi Curious,
Thanks for your question.
Since you have been discharged for over three years and have a deposit saved up, most lenders should consider your application.
If you find that you are having trouble finding a lender, you may want to approach a bad credit specialist lender. The requirement is that you have a 10% deposit.
If you find that none of these loans are suitable for your situation, there is always the option of speaking to a home loan broker. They can help you understand your financial position and they can leverage their panel of networks to find a lender that is more inclined to review your application.
Cheers,
Shirley
My son wants to buy an investment property in his name in NSW for $250000. He intends to let it out at the rate of $320 per week. He has $40,000 deposit saved. He is currently seeking part-time work. As he is still at Uni I am prepared to act as guarantor for the mortgage. I reside in Qld and fully own my property which is valued at $600,000. Please advise the best way for him to proceed.
Hi Denise,
Thanks for your question.
You can compare a range of guarantor loans and check your eligibility.
I also recommend getting in touch with a licensed mortgage broker. A broker can help you understand your financial position and they can leverage their panel of networks to find a lender that is more inclined to review your application.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.
Cheers,
Shirley
Currently using a broker to source cheap house loans etc, but we end up paying her a fee in our repayments, want to avoid this an refinance our loan that’s split to new fixed rates to save some money (as the rates have dropped) fixed term at least 3-5 years which bank/credit union offers the best rate, how can I go about this without using the broker and paying her monthly
cheers Maria’
Hi Maria,
Thanks for your question.
Typically, you do not need to pay a mortgage broker a fee for using their services. The lender usually pays them on a commission based on the loan they have settled for you.
You may want to consider using one of the mortgage brokers we have compared. Please ensure that before you commit to anything, it is best to confirm that they do not charge a fee within your repayments. Remember to ensure to read through the relevant product disclosure statement and terms and conditions to ensure that you got everything covered before you apply for the loan.
Cheers,
Shirley
Hi, I have a house and brick shop. I’m unemployed, and have the shop rented $180 per week. I have minimum overheads, am the sole ocupier and wish to pay out the loan of aproximately $25,000. The property is valued at $120,000 and I wish to borrow $80,000 in the regional property tourist area of Victoria. Where can I borrow from? I have a personal income of $300 per week.
Hi Douglas,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder.
I would recommend comparing the loans on this page until you find one that you’re interested in and then contact the lender directly to find out if you’d be eligible to borrow the amount you’re after.
To help you, please enter the amount you’d like to borrow and term. If you like to see the side-by-side comparison between brands, just click the “compare box” below the brand’s logo.
Please click the name of the lender or the “More info” link to be redirected to our review page and learn more about the lender’s loan offer, rates, and requirements as well as the pros and cons of using their loan service. When you are ready, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the lender’s website where you can proceed with the application or get in touch with their representatives for further inquiries you may have.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can speak to a mortgage broker who can take your personal circumstance into account and offer you a range of borrowing options.
I hope this helps,
Marc.