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Buying a home in Australia is genuinely hard right now. Prices have climbed, deposits take years to save, and the gap between where you are and where you want to be can feel wide. The Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme is one of the more meaningful policy responses to that problem, and it is worth understanding properly before you decide whether it applies to your situation.
What is the Help to Buy Scheme?
The Help to Buy Scheme is a shared equity scheme introduced by the Australian Government to support Australians to buy a home with a smaller deposit and a smaller loan. Under the scheme, the Government contributes towards the purchase price of your home, taking a share of the equity in return. That contribution reduces your loan amount, which in turn could reduce your monthly repayments and may help you avoid paying lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). It is designed to bridge the gap for people who have a stable income but are struggling to save a large enough deposit to buy on their own.
The scheme is available to eligible first-time buyers as well as someone returning to home ownership who meets the eligibility criteria. It is not unlimited. There are limited places available each year, so timing and preparation matter.
Who is it for?
To access the Help to Buy Scheme, you need to meet specific eligibility criteria set by the Government. These include income thresholds, Australian citizenship requirements, and conditions around property ownership history. You also need to be purchasing a property to live in, not an investment. The scheme is not open to everyone, and the eligibility criteria are assessed carefully, so it pays to understand where you stand before you get too far into the process.
At Zella Money, we work with clients across a range of circumstances, including those exploring whether the Help to Buy Scheme could work for them. We can help you understand whether you are likely to qualify, what your borrowing capacity might look like, and how to access Home Loan options from banks and lenders across Australia that are participating in the scheme.
What types of homes can you buy?
The scheme applies to a range of property types. You could use it to purchase a new or existing home, or even a vacant block of land for construction, subject to conditions. There are property price caps that vary depending on where you are buying, so the types of homes you can buy under the scheme will depend on the location and the cap that applies in that area. The scheme is available in all other States and Territories across Australia, not just specific regions, which makes it accessible to a broad range of buyers.
How does the shared equity arrangement work over time?
This is the part people often overlook. Because the Government contributes towards the purchase price, it holds a share of the equity in your home. That means if you sell the property, or if your financial position changes and you want to buy out the Government's share, there are ongoing obligations and exit conditions to understand. You are not simply receiving a grant. You are entering into a shared ownership arrangement with the Government, and that has implications for your Home Loan application, your interest rate, and your long-term financial planning.
Participating Lenders are the banks and lenders approved to offer home loans under the scheme. Not every lender is involved, which is one reason working with a mortgage broker like Zella Money can be genuinely useful. We can help you identify which Participating Lenders are relevant to your situation, compare your Home Loan options, and make sure you understand what you are signing up for before you apply for a home loan.
Why Zella Money?
Zella Money was built around the idea that buying a home should feel manageable, not overwhelming. We are not here to push you toward a product. We are here to make sure you understand your options and feel confident in the decisions you make. Whether you are a first home buyer trying to work out if the Help to Buy Scheme is the right path, or someone who has owned before and is looking to re-enter the market, we take the time to understand your full picture.
We access Home Loan options from banks and lenders across Australia, which means we are not limited to one institution's products. We look at your borrowing capacity, your deposit, your income, and your goals, and then we help you figure out whether the Help to Buy Scheme, the Home Guarantee Scheme, the First Home Super Saver Scheme, or a combination of options makes the most sense for you.
If you are thinking about applying for a home loan and want to understand how the Help to Buy Scheme fits into that, we would love to have a conversation. There is no pressure, no jargon, and no pretending the process is simpler than it is. Just honest, clear guidance from people who genuinely care about getting you into the right home.
Getting a home loan can feel overwhelming. It doesn't have to be. At Zella Money, we've built a process that keeps you informed, supported, and confident at every step. Here's how we work together.
Let's Have a Chat: Everything starts with a conversation. We take the time to understand where you are right now, where you want to go, and what matters most to you. No pressure, no jargon. Just an honest discussion about your situation and your goals.
We Dig Into the Detail: Once we know what you're working towards, we take a closer look at your finances. Income, expenses, savings, existing debts. We look at the full picture so we can give you advice that's actually relevant to your life, not just a generic answer.
We Research the Market: With a clear picture of your situation, we search across a wide panel of lenders to find options that genuinely suit you. We're not tied to one bank or one product. Our job is to find the right fit, not the easiest one.
We Walk You Through Your Options: We present a shortlist of suitable loan options and explain each one in plain language. Rates, fees, features, flexibility. We cover it all so you can make a decision you feel good about. No hard sell, ever.
We Handle the Application: Once you've chosen the loan that works for you, we take care of the paperwork. We prepare and lodge your application, liaise with the lender, and keep things moving. You don't need to chase anyone.
We Keep You in the Loop: From application through to approval, we stay in regular contact. You'll always know where things stand. If the lender needs anything extra, we handle it quickly and let you know what's happening and why.
Settlement and Beyond: Approved and settled? We're still here. We check in after settlement to make sure everything's running smoothly, and we stay available as your circumstances change. One loan is just the beginning.
Ready to talk to the team? We're excited to meet you! Shoot though an enquiry and we'll get back to you ASAP!
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We used Jaclyn the Senior Finance Broker to buy our first home and she was amazing! She is so knowledgeable, made us feel valued and turned our dream into a reality. Can not recommend her enough! Shout out to Sal as well the Settlements Manager who helped make settlement nice and simple.
Chris Fallon
I cannot recommend Zella highly enough! Charlotte and the wider Zella team were with us every step of the way! They truly had our backs in securing the best home loan for our family. Prompt, informative and easy to deal with! Thank you so much for all your hard work!! xx
Olivia Jolliffe
I had a great experience with Zella from start to finish. The team was friendly and made our refinance super easy. Highly recommend!
Casey Sharrock
Huge thanks to Tara and her team! Highly recommend !
Maddie B
Bought my first home through Zella and so so glad I did! Georgia was extremely helpful from the start and patient with answering all of my stupid questions. Thank you again for everything!
Christine Untario
I really appreciated working with the team. They were really efficient, no question went unanswered and they were lovely to work with. I felt in good hands!
Jane Eldershaw
Tell us a little about where you're at, and we'll take it from there.
Let's chat
For most standard lending appointments, no. We're paid by the lender once your loan settles. In rare cases where applications are highly complex, a fee may apply, but we'll always discuss and disclose this with you upfront.
Yes. We use bank-grade security systems and are fully compliant with Australian privacy regulations. Your information is treated with the highest level of care and confidentiality.
Absolutely. We assist clients across Australia and have a thorough understanding of different state and territory regulations, grants and incentives.
We keep communication clear and simple. Your broker will be available via email and phone, and we manage documentation securely through our electronic portal. Your initial meeting can be held over the phone or by video call, depending on your preference. We're always just a message away if you need support.
To get started, we'll need documents such as identification, proof of income (like payslips or tax returns), details of your assets and liabilities, and statements for any existing loans or credit facilities. Your broker will give you a personalised checklist so you always know what's needed.
Your borrowing capacity depends on factors like your income, expenses, existing debts, credit history and the policies of individual lenders. We'll work with you to assess your position and give you a clear understanding of what's achievable.
Yes. Our brokers stay across all available incentives, including first home buyer grants, stamp duty concessions and guarantee schemes. If you're eligible, we'll help you understand how to apply and make the most of these opportunities.
Absolutely. We specialise in guiding first-home buyers through the process with tailored advice, clear communication and plenty of support along the way.
Banks offer their own products. We offer you options. As your broker, we take the time to understand your goals and financial circumstances before searching across a broad panel of lenders to find solutions that genuinely suit you. We also stay across the latest policies, grants and niche lender options that could make a real difference to your outcome.
We conduct a credit check early in the process to help us best assist you. Your score is safe with us. If you have any concerns about your credit history, please speak with your broker — we're here to support you.
Pre-approvals generally last between three and six months, depending on the lender. We'll guide you through the timeline and help you refresh your approval if your property search takes a little longer than expected.
Once your loan is formally approved, we'll guide you through the settlement process. We work closely with your solicitor or conveyancer to ensure all requirements are met and everything runs smoothly right through to settlement day.
Definitely. We understand the nuances of self-employed income and have extensive experience presenting applications for business owners in a way that resonates with lenders.
No. In addition to home loans, we also assist with commercial lending, investment loans, refinancing and asset finance. Whatever your finance goals, we're ready to support you.
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