What sets an Australian home loan rate, what the fees and comparison rate really tell you, and the lending rules that apply in 2026.
The rate a lender offers you is not one number off a board. It depends on your loan-to-value ratio (LVR), whether you live in the property or rent it out, whether you pay principal and interest or interest only, the loan type you choose and how hard you negotiate. On top of the rate sit fees, lenders mortgage insurance if your deposit is under 20%, and the lending rules set by APRA and the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009.
Start with the overview of home loan rates and repayments. It links to the guides on reading a comparison rate, fixed, variable and split loans, how your deposit changes the rate and LMI, the fees lenders charge, how borrowing power is assessed with the serviceability buffer, and the first home buyer schemes that apply in 2026.
Every rate and fee in these guides is an illustrative example, not a market rate. Rates move after each Reserve Bank decision and lenders reprice between meetings, so check live rates on lender websites and the official sources we list. Where a rule changed recently, we say when and point you to the regulator that publishes it.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
How Australian lenders assess borrowing power with APRA's serviceability buffer, living expense benchmarks, credit card limits and debt-to-income limits, with a worked example.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
What the comparison rate on an Australian home loan includes, why it uses a $150,000 loan over 25 years, and how to compare package and basic loans for your own loan size.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
How loan-to-value ratio sets your home loan rate tier and LMI in Australia, what LMI covers, ways to avoid it, and a worked example on an $800,000 purchase.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
How the expanded Home Guarantee Scheme, state first home owner grants and the First Home Super Saver Scheme work in 2026, with a worked 5% deposit example and eligibility checks.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
How fixed, variable and split home loans work in Australia, what break costs, revert rates and extra repayment caps mean, and a worked repayment comparison for each.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
Every fee an Australian home loan can carry, from application and valuation to package, discharge and break costs, plus government charges and a five-year cost comparison.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
How Australian lenders set your home loan rate, how that rate turns into a monthly repayment, and which factors you can change, with worked examples and official sources.
