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Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make, and it helps to have someone in your corner who genuinely cares about getting it right. At Roar Financial, we work with first home buyers across Tasmania and all of Australia to find home loan options that suit your situation, your budget, and your goals.
The good news is that there is more support available for first home buyers than many people realise. From the Australian Government's 5% Deposit Scheme, which allows eligible buyers to purchase with as little as a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), to state-based first home owner grants (FHOG) and first home buyer stamp duty concessions, the landscape of assistance has never been broader. In Tasmania, eligible buyers purchasing a new home may access a $20,000 first home owner grant from 1 July 2026, subject to assent. Buyers in Queensland can access up to $15,000 for new home contracts signed from 1 July 2026, while the Northern Territory offers an impressive $50,000 HomeGrown Territory Grant for eligible new home purchases.
At Roar Financial, we take the time to understand your circumstances before recommending any home loan options. We look at your first home buyer eligibility for federal and state schemes, assess your first home buyer budget, and help you understand what you may be able to borrow. Whether you are considering a fixed interest rate for repayment certainty, a variable interest rate for flexibility, or a split loan structure, we will walk you through the differences so you can make an informed choice.
Features like an offset account or redraw facility can make a real difference to the total cost of your loan over time, and we make sure you understand how these work before you commit. We also help you explore low deposit options, including whether a gift deposit from a family member may be accepted by your chosen lender, and whether the First Home Super Saver Scheme could help you build your deposit faster using voluntary super contributions.
Roar Financial is not a big bank call centre. We are a local team that knows our clients by name. When you work with us, you get straightforward guidance, honest conversations, and access to a wide panel of lenders so we can find a home loan that genuinely fits your life. Check your borrowing capacity to get a clearer picture of where you stand before you start your property search.
See How Much You Could Borrow
Use our borrowing capacity calculator to get a rough idea of what lenders may consider based on your income and expenses. It is a useful starting point for any first home buyer planning their next move.
Step 1: Get in Touch
The first step is simple - reach out to us. Whether you call, email, or fill out our online enquiry form, we make it easy to start the conversation. There are no complicated forms or confusing jargon, just a friendly chat about what you are looking to achieve.
Step 2: Initial Consultation
We sit down with you - in person, over the phone, or via video call - to understand your goals, your financial situation, and your timeline. This is your chance to ask questions and for us to get a clear picture of what you need. We listen first so we can find the right solution for you.
Step 3: Assessment and Fact Find
We gather the key details about your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. This helps us understand your borrowing capacity and identify the loan or finance product that best suits your circumstances. Everything is handled with care and confidentiality.
Step 4: Research and Recommendation
Using our access to a wide panel of lenders, we do the legwork for you. We compare products, rates, and features across multiple lenders to find options that genuinely match your needs. We then present our recommendation clearly, so you can make an informed decision with confidence.
Step 5: Application Preparation
Once you are happy with the recommended solution, we prepare and package your application. We guide you through the documents required and make sure everything is accurate and complete before it is submitted. A well-prepared application gives you the best chance of a smooth approval.
Step 6: Lodgement and Approval
We lodge your application with the lender and manage the process from start to finish. We stay in regular contact with the lender on your behalf and keep you updated every step of the way. If the lender needs anything further, we handle it quickly so there are no unnecessary delays.
Step 7: Settlement and Beyond
Once your loan is approved and settled, our job is not done. We check in to make sure everything has gone smoothly and that you are happy. As your circumstances change over time, we are here to review your finance and make sure it continues to work hard for you.
How we can help
There are several federal and state programs designed to help first home buyers get into the property market sooner. Understanding which ones apply to your situation, and how they can work together, is where Roar Financial adds real value.
The Australian Government's 5% Deposit Scheme, now available without income caps or annual place limits, allows eligible first home buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit. Eligible single parents or legal guardians may purchase with just a 2% deposit. Housing Australia guarantees the difference up to 20% of the property value, meaning no LMI is payable. Property price caps apply and vary by state and region. For example, in Tasmania the cap is $700,000 in the capital city and regional centres, and $550,000 in other areas. Applications are made through a participating lender, not directly through Housing Australia, and Roar Financial can connect you with the right lender for your needs.
The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme sits alongside other options such as the First Home Super Saver Scheme, which allows you to save up to $50,000 in eligible voluntary super contributions and release those funds toward your deposit. Concessional contributions are taxed at 15% rather than your marginal rate, which can make a meaningful difference to how quickly you build your deposit.
First home buyer stamp duty concessions vary significantly by state. In the ACT, eligible buyers are now fully exempt from conveyance duty regardless of property value from 1 July 2026. In New South Wales, a full transfer duty exemption applies on properties valued up to $800,000. Victoria offers a full stamp duty exemption on homes up to $600,000. Western Australia provides duty-free purchases on homes valued up to $600,000 under the current First Home Owner Rate of duty. These concessions can save first home buyers tens of thousands of dollars, and stacking them with the federal 5% Deposit Scheme is generally permitted.
For buyers considering building, construction loans work differently from standard purchase loans, and Roar Financial can help you understand how progress payments, valuations, and drawdown schedules affect your borrowing. Whether you are buying an established home, purchasing off-the-plan, or building from scratch, we will help you find the right structure for your first home loan application.
Pre-approval is another important step in the process. Having a pre-approval in place gives you a clearer picture of your budget and shows sellers you are a serious buyer. Roar Financial can help you prepare a strong first home loan application and work with lenders on your behalf to seek pre-approval before you start making offers.
What Our Clients Say
Rodney helped us with our home loan and did a wonderful job of reassuring us and helping us navigate what can be a daunting experience, especially when buying our first home. Rod did a great job of finding a great lender and achieving an excellent outcome for our complex situation. We’re very grateful for all his help and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a mortgage broker.
Sam
Frequently Asked Questions
Refinancing means replacing your existing home loan with a new one, either with your current lender or a different one. People refinance for a variety of reasons, including wanting a different loan structure, accessing equity in their property, or consolidating debts. Whether refinancing makes sense for your situation depends on a number of factors, including your current loan terms, any exit fees, and your financial goals. Roar Financial can help you review your current loan and compare it against other options available through our lender panel. We will walk you through the potential benefits and costs so you can make an informed decision that suits your circumstances.
Roar Financial can assist with a wide range of lending needs. This includes home loans for owner-occupiers, investment property loans, refinancing existing loans, construction loans, and loans for self-employed borrowers. We also assist with commercial finance and asset finance for business owners who need funding for equipment or vehicles. Every situation is different, and we take the time to understand what you are trying to achieve before exploring which options may be available to you. If you are unsure whether your lending need falls within what we can help with, simply reach out and we will have an honest conversation about how we can assist.
To get the ball rolling, it helps to have some basic information ready. This typically includes details about your income, such as payslips or tax returns if you are self-employed, along with information about your expenses, existing debts, and any assets you hold. If you are purchasing a property, details about the property and the purchase price are also useful. Do not worry if you do not have everything ready straight away. At Roar Financial, we will guide you through what is needed and help you gather the right documents at the right time. The important thing is to start the conversation so we can understand your situation.
The timeline can vary depending on the type of loan, the lender involved, and how quickly documents can be gathered and verified. In general, once an application is submitted with all the required information, lenders may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to assess and approve a loan. Roar Financial works to keep things moving by staying on top of your application and following up with lenders on your behalf. We will keep you updated throughout the process so you always know where things stand. Delays can sometimes happen, but having a broker managing the process means there is someone actively working to resolve any issues that come up.
When you go directly to a bank, you only see what that one lender has to offer. Roar Financial works with a panel of lenders, which means we can look across multiple options to find one that suits your circumstances. We take the time to understand your financial situation and goals before recommending anything. Our job is to represent you, not the lender. We also help you prepare your application properly, which can make the process smoother and less confusing. For clients in Tasmania and across Australia, having a local broker who genuinely understands your needs can make a real difference to your experience.
In most cases, mortgage brokers in Australia are paid a commission by the lender when a loan is settled. This means that in many situations, you do not pay us directly for our broking services. The commission structure is regulated under Australian law, and brokers are required to act in your best interests under the Best Interests Duty. We are always transparent about how we are paid, and we will explain this clearly before you proceed with anything. If there are any fees that apply to your specific situation, we will let you know upfront so there are no surprises along the way.
Having a less-than-perfect credit history does not automatically mean you cannot access finance. There are lenders on our panel who specialise in working with borrowers who have had credit challenges in the past, such as defaults or missed payments. Roar Financial will take the time to understand your full situation before exploring which lenders and products may be suitable. We will always be honest with you about your options and what to expect. We do not make promises about outcomes, but we do commit to doing the work to find out what is possible for you and presenting your application in the strongest way we can.
A mortgage broker acts as the go-between for you and a range of lenders. Rather than you having to approach each bank or lender on your own, a broker like Roar Financial does the legwork on your behalf. We assess your situation, help you understand your borrowing options, and present loan products from our panel of lenders that may suit your needs and goals. We handle the paperwork, liaise with lenders, and keep you informed throughout the process. Whether you are buying your first home, refinancing, or investing in property, having a broker in your corner means you have someone working for you, not for the bank.
Getting in touch with Roar Financial is straightforward. You can reach us by phone, email, or through our website to book a consultation at a time that suits you. We are happy to meet in person if you are based in Tasmania, or connect with you remotely if you are elsewhere in Australia. There is no obligation involved in having an initial conversation with us. We simply take the time to listen to your situation, answer your questions, and explain how we may be able to help. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start working on finding the right lending solution for your needs.
Not at all. While Roar Financial is proudly based in Tasmania, we work with clients right across Australia. Thanks to phone, email, and video calls, we can have meaningful conversations with you no matter where you are located. We understand that different parts of Australia have different property markets and lending considerations, and we take the time to understand your local context. Whether you are in Hobart, Melbourne, Brisbane, or anywhere in between, Roar Financial is set up to support you through the process of finding a loan that works for your situation.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you are a first home buyer in Tasmania or anywhere across Australia, Roar Financial is ready to help you understand your options. Book an appointment with our team and we will take the time to go through your situation, explain the grants and schemes available to you, and help you find a home loan that works for your budget.
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