14/07/2026
A lot of younger Australians have stopped waiting to save a 20% deposit. And the numbers back that up.
Since the federal government expanded the 5% Deposit Scheme last October, lenders participating in the scheme have seen a 16.4% increase in loan volumes. Non-participating lenders? Down 6.5%.
Enquiries jumped 22.8% among 18–25 year olds and 17.4% among 26–35 year olds.
The appeal is straightforward.
Eligible buyers can purchase with just a 5% deposit — without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. That means lower upfront costs and getting into the market sooner.
But it's worth understanding the trade-off.
A smaller deposit means:
- You're borrowing more
- You'll pay more interest over the life of the loan
- You start with less equity
For some buyers, that's the right call. For others, a larger deposit and a bit more time makes more sense.
There's no universal answer — it depends on your goals, your finances, and your timeframe.
If you're weighing it up, we're happy to walk through what actually makes sense for your situation. DM us or book a chat — no pressure, just clarity.