5% deposit
A smaller starting deposit
SMALLER DEPOSIT
Eligible buyers can apply with a minimum 5% deposit, subject to the Scheme rules and the participating lender's assessment.
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT 5% DEPOSIT SCHEME
Buy your first home with the 5% Deposit Scheme
Explore the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, understand the buying costs beyond your deposit, and work through your home loan options with Domium.
No LMI
Keep more of your upfront budget
UPFRONT COSTS
Eligible Scheme loans do not require lenders mortgage insurance. Other purchase and loan costs still need to be budgeted for.
Your home
Support for a home to live in
OWNER-OCCUPIERS
The Scheme supports eligible owner-occupier purchases. Property price caps and ongoing occupancy requirements apply.
HOW THE SCHEME WORKS
Government backing, with your loan still in your name
The Scheme provides a guarantee to a participating lender, helping eligible buyers purchase with a smaller deposit. It is not a cash contribution towards the home, and it does not remove your responsibility for the loan. Domium helps you bring your deposit, borrowing position and property plans together before you apply.
The eligibility checks to make early
You
Your residency and age
Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents and at least 18. The participating lender confirms your circumstances.
History
Your previous property ownership
First home buyers and eligible returning buyers who have not owned property or land in Australia in the previous 10 years may qualify.
Property
The home and its location
The property must meet the Scheme's rules and the price cap for its location. Check the proposed purchase with your lender before committing.
Loan
Your ability to repay
Scheme eligibility and loan approval are separate checks. Income, expenses, debts and the lender's credit policy still matter.
PLAN THE WHOLE PURCHASE
Build a buying budget you can actually use
Your deposit is one part of the purchase. Allow for legal work, inspections, government charges, lender fees and the cash buffer you want to keep after settlement. We can help you organise the finance steps and connect conveyancing support, so the contract and loan timelines stay aligned.
From deposit planning to your first home
Start with the numbers and eligibility checks, then keep your lender and purchase steps moving together.
1. Share your starting point
Tell us about your deposit, income, existing commitments and the home you want to buy. We help identify the questions to work through first.
2. Check the Scheme and loan options
Review the relevant Scheme requirements and participating lender options. The lender assesses eligibility and whether the proposed loan is suitable.
3. Prepare for the purchase
Organise documents and confirm your budget before making commitments. Where needed, arrange a contract review and conveyancing support.
4. Move towards settlement
Work through lender conditions, legal steps and settlement requirements. Keep important documents and milestones visible through your Domium journey.
A 5% deposit is only part of the buying budget
For a property valued at $700,000, 5% is $35,000. That illustration excludes purchase costs and is not an eligibility assessment. Your participating lender must confirm the relevant property value, location price cap and the deposit you need to contribute.
5% Deposit Scheme questions
The key distinctions before you plan a low-deposit purchase.
CHECK HOW MUCH I CAN BORROWThe Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme is the current name for the expanded scheme formerly known as the Home Guarantee Scheme. Check current government guidance rather than relying on older income limits or place allocations.
The current Scheme has no income caps and unlimited places for eligible applicants. A participating lender must still assess your eligibility and home loan application.
No. The Scheme provides a guarantee to the lender. You contribute the deposit and remain responsible for the loan, repayments and other buying costs.
No. The Scheme is for an eligible home you will live in. Ongoing owner-occupancy obligations apply while the guarantee is active.
No. The lender separately considers your finances, the property and its lending criteria. Establish your borrowing position before signing a contract or making an unconditional commitment.
Use the Australian Government's current eligibility guidance and confirm the details with a participating lender. Property caps, documents and ongoing requirements should be checked for the home and application you are considering.
Results that speak
Trusted by 2,000+ property buyers, investors and SMSF clients
5.00
We were buying our first home and felt overwhelmed at the start. Domium kept everything clear, moved quickly, and made the whole process feel far less stressful than we expected.
Result:
First home purchase completed with confidence
— Emily R.
Sydney, NSW
5.00
The communication was excellent from day one. We always knew what stage we were at, what was still outstanding, and what the next step would be.
Result:
Loan and settlement managed in one smooth journey
— James T.
Melbourne, VIC
5.00
We refinanced and finally felt like we had a structure that actually suited us. The team explained everything in plain English and made the numbers easy to understand.
Result:
Refinance completed with a clearer loan strategy
— Sarah L.
Brisbane, QLD
5.00
What stood out most was how coordinated everything felt. Instead of chasing different people, we had one team across the journey and that saved us a lot of time.
Result:
Property purchase progressed with less back and forth
— Michael P.
Adelaide, SA
5.00
We were on a tight timeline and Domium stayed on top of every detail. They were responsive, organised, and calm when things became time-sensitive.
Result:
Finance approved and settlement kept on track
— Olivia W.
Perth, WA
5.00
As investors, we wanted clarity around structure and next steps. Domium gave us practical advice, kept things moving, and made the process feel very well managed.
Result:
Investment purchase completed with stronger structure
— Nathan C.
Gold Coast, QLD
5.00
The experience felt professional without ever becoming too formal or confusing. We had confidence in the advice and felt supported the whole way through.
Result:
Home loan journey handled with clarity and support
— Chloe D.
Canberra, ACT
5.00
We had a few moving parts in our application, and Domium handled them with care. They were proactive, realistic, and easy to deal with from start to finish.
Result:
Complex application managed with clear guidance
— Ben H.
Newcastle, NSW
5.00
Domium made a process that usually feels complicated feel straightforward. We always felt informed, and nothing ever slipped through the cracks.
Result:
Purchase journey delivered with strong coordination
— Sophie M.
Hobart, TAS
5.00
From strategy through to settlement, the team was consistent, responsive, and genuinely helpful. It felt like we had people in our corner the entire time.
Result:
End-to-end journey completed with full visibility
— Daniel K.
Wollongong, NSW
5.00
We were buying our first home and felt overwhelmed at the start. Domium kept everything clear, moved quickly, and made the whole process feel far less stressful than we expected.
Result:
First home purchase completed with confidence
— Emily R.
Sydney, NSW
5.00
The communication was excellent from day one. We always knew what stage we were at, what was still outstanding, and what the next step would be.
Result:
Loan and settlement managed in one smooth journey
— James T.
Melbourne, VIC
5.00
We refinanced and finally felt like we had a structure that actually suited us. The team explained everything in plain English and made the numbers easy to understand.
Result:
Refinance completed with a clearer loan strategy
— Sarah L.
Brisbane, QLD
5.00
What stood out most was how coordinated everything felt. Instead of chasing different people, we had one team across the journey and that saved us a lot of time.
Result:
Property purchase progressed with less back and forth
— Michael P.
Adelaide, SA
5.00
We were on a tight timeline and Domium stayed on top of every detail. They were responsive, organised, and calm when things became time-sensitive.
Result:
Finance approved and settlement kept on track
— Olivia W.
Perth, WA
5.00
As investors, we wanted clarity around structure and next steps. Domium gave us practical advice, kept things moving, and made the process feel very well managed.
Result:
Investment purchase completed with stronger structure
— Nathan C.
Gold Coast, QLD
5.00
The experience felt professional without ever becoming too formal or confusing. We had confidence in the advice and felt supported the whole way through.
Result:
Home loan journey handled with clarity and support
— Chloe D.
Canberra, ACT
5.00
We had a few moving parts in our application, and Domium handled them with care. They were proactive, realistic, and easy to deal with from start to finish.
Result:
Complex application managed with clear guidance
— Ben H.
Newcastle, NSW
5.00
Domium made a process that usually feels complicated feel straightforward. We always felt informed, and nothing ever slipped through the cracks.
Result:
Purchase journey delivered with strong coordination
— Sophie M.
Hobart, TAS
5.00
From strategy through to settlement, the team was consistent, responsive, and genuinely helpful. It felt like we had people in our corner the entire time.
Result:
End-to-end journey completed with full visibility
— Daniel K.
Wollongong, NSW
YOUR NEXT STEP
Work out your next step towards a first home
Bring your deposit, borrowing questions and purchase plans together. Start with your situation and build a practical path towards buying.