Unity Bank is an approved lender under the Australian Government's Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee (RFHBG) helping eligible regional home buyers realise their dream of home ownership. You can start with just a 5% DEPOSIT and avoid thousands of dollars in lenders mortgage insurance costs.
The Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee (RFHBG) is an Australian Government initiative that aims to support eligible regional home buyers to purchase a home sooner, in a regional area. It is administered by Housing Australia under the Home Guarantee Scheme (Scheme) on behalf of the Australian Government.
Usually as a home buyer with less than a 20 per cent deposit, you need to pay lenders mortgage insurance. Often, this could amount to thousands of dollars. Under the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee, you can purchase a home with a deposit of as little as 5 per cent without the big cost of lenders mortgage insurance. This is because Housing Australia guarantees to a participating lender up to 15 percent of the value of the property purchased that is financed by an eligible regional home buyer’s home loan.
You can apply through Unity Bank for a loan to purchase a residential property, and we will reserve a place in the guarantee on your behalf, provided your application meets the eligibility criteria.
Eligible regional home buyers are able to purchase in the regional area they have lived in during the preceding 12 month period, or an adjacent regional area (exemptions apply, please refer to eligibility criteria). The RFHBG can also be used conjunction with other government programs like the First Home Super Saver Scheme or state and territory first home owner grants and stamp duty concessions.
If you are eligible for the RFHBG, you are not eligible for the First Home Guarantee. Home buyers who are not eligible for the RFHBG, may be eligible for the First Home Guarantee and Family Home Guarantee.
To find out more or assess your eligibility, talk to us, download the Fact Sheet or view the information guide.
To confirm whether you live in a regional area, and where you may be able to purchase, you can access the Regional Checker at https://www.housingaustralia.gov.au.
A regional area is defined as:
As defined in the version published by The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in July 2016. The greater capital city areas of each state and the Northern Territory; and the entire Australian Capital Territory are excluded from the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee. Home buyers in these areas may be eligible for the First Home Guarantee and Family Home Guarantee.
Credit eligibility, terms and conditions, fees & charges apply.
Please note that the Family Home Guarantee is not a cash payment or a deposit for your home loan. Minimum home loan balance $150,000. Not available for top-ups or internal product switches. Maximum loan period 30 years.
* Documentation supporting guardianship may be required.
** Other fees and charges may apply and will be specified at the time the loan is approved.
