Online Home Loans

Do you want to apply online for your home loan?  Read about how online home loans work and how to compare them here with Savvy.

Written by 
Savvy Editorial Team
Savvy's content writing team are professionals with a wide and diverse range of industry experience and topic knowledge. We write across a broad spectrum of finance-related topics to provide our readers with informative resources to help them learn more about a certain area or enable them to decide on which product is best for their needs with careful comparison. Meet the team behind the operation here. Visit our authors page to meet Savvy's expert writing team, committed to delivering informative and engaging content to help you make informed financial decisions.
Our authors
, updated on August 7th, 2023       

Fact checked

At Savvy, we are committed to providing accurate information. Our content undergoes a rigorous process of fact-checking before it is published. Learn more about our editorial policy.

Looking to take out your home loan with an online lender? The past decade has seen many financiers muscle in on the home loan market, challenging the big banks with hundreds of highly competitive and innovative home loan products.

You can find and compare a range of the top online home loan offers right here with Savvy. Find out all you need to know about how to apply for your mortgage online and how to successfully compare loans to find the one that’s just right for you.

How do online lenders work?

Online home loans are offered by lenders who usually don’t have physical bricks and mortar branches and who do not employ staff to meet with borrowers in person.  However, in almost every way, online home loans are just like any other home loans in the way they function: you apply to a lender for a loan to help you pay for your property, which you’ll receive as a lump sum and gradually repay over a set term, typically 25 to 30 years. 

As the market for online home loans continues to expand, more and more online lenders are differentiating themselves by creating innovative and flexible products and services which go above and beyond what the big banks can offer.  Most notably, online home loan lenders use a speedy paperless approach to home loan approval and are known for their customer-friendly approach and prompt response times.

What are the advantages of online home loans compared to other options?

Lower rates and fees

With no expensive branches to maintain, online lenders can offer loans with low interest rates and low, or sometimes even no, account keeping and administration fees.  Securing even a slightly lower interest rate can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage, so it’s important to take advantage of these offers where you can.

Simple, easy application

Applying online for a home loan has become increasingly popular in Australia because it’s never been easier.  You can apply for your loan from the comfort of your own home at a time suitable for you, submitting digital copies of necessary documents and avoiding reams of messy paperwork.  Most lenders have online chat facilities to assist you with your application and user-friendly loan apps which make applying a breeze.

Speedy service

Online home loan lenders invest heavily in the latest cutting-edge technology, so they are always finding new innovative ways to make the loan application process faster and more convenient.  They will often get back to you with loan approval within a few days, and it’s even possible to get pre-approval on the same day you apply.

Are online lenders safe?

Yes – online lenders are safe to work with when it comes to securing your home loan.  Some of the reasons why they’re so safe include:

They’re regulated

Australian financial institutions are subject to stringent regulation.  Most online lenders are governed by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), but if not, they still have to adhere to guidelines regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

They have secure apps and portals

Offering loans is how online lenders make their money, which is why they invest heavily in app development and internet security. Providing your details to an online lender is just the same as sharing information with a big bank.  All Australian online lenders have to adhere to strict Australian privacy principles, so you can be assured sending sensitive, confidential information to your online lender is safe.

They have to be licenced

Check your lender has an Australian Credit Licence (ACL), which should be displayed on their website.  You can double-check this licence number on ASIC’s credit licence register.  All lenders that Savvy partners with are licenced and safe, however, so you won’t need to worry when you compare with us.

They have big backing

As many online lenders are either backed by or owned by larger banks, superfunds or established independent financiers, in the highly unlikely event that an online lender closes down, your loan will almost certainly be bought by another financial institution.  The only change you would notice is the name of the company contacting you about your loan.

How do I compare online home loans?

Look at the comparison rate

Naturally, you’ll want to secure the lowest possible interest rate, but make sure you check the loan’s comparison rate also. This takes into consideration all the fees that may be associated with the loan.  All lenders offering loan products are obligated by Australian legislation to show a loan’s comparison rate so consumers can compare offers based on a more accurate reflection of their cost.

Choose your loan type

You can opt for either a variable interest rate, or a fixed interest rate loan, or a combination of both, which is known as a split rate loan.  Repayments on a variable interest rate loan will fluctuate as interest rates change, but such loans tend to offer you the greatest flexibility and range of features.  Fixed rate loans allow you to budget more accurately, knowing your repayments won’t change for the duration of the fixed term.

Many lenders allow you to combine the best of both of these types in a split loan and offer you the choice of how you split your loan, such as 60% with a fixed interest rate for a set period and 40% of your loan with a variable interest rate.

Choose your additional features

Next, think about any additional loan features you may want on your variable rate loan to reduce the amount of interest you have to pay.  Offset accounts save you interest by reducing the principal amount you’re charged interest on.  You may want the ability to make additional repayments to pay off your loan sooner, or have a redraw facility to assist you in case life throws you a curveball.

Consider loan-to-value ratio (LVR) requirements

Most lenders require you to supply 20% of the value of the property you wish to buy as a deposit.  This is called an 80% LVR loan, as the lender provides 80% of the total loan value.  However, some lenders are prepared to loan 90% or even 95% LVR if the borrower is prepared to pay lenders’ mortgage insurance (LMI), which is an insurance premium the borrower pays to protect the lender if the borrower is unable to make loan repayments, or provide a guarantor.

Choose your lender and loan

Once you understand how much you want to borrow, what type of loan you want, which loan features you want and the term of your loan, use Savvy’s loan comparison table to compare loans side by side and find the one that’s just right for you.

What's the process for an online home loan application?

Got a question about online home loans?

Are all loan features available on both variable and fixed home loans?

Not really – while most variable loans have all the features you’d expect from one of the big banks, if you’re going for a fixed-rate online home loan, you might find there are more restrictions and conditions around how you can use them.  For instance, fixed-rate mortgages may come with a cap on the maximum amount paid into your offset account in 12 months.  However, online lenders generally tend to be more flexible than major banks in this area.

Can I buy any type of property with an online home loan?

Yes – however, you may have more difficulty finding a lender if you want to buy an unusual property or a property in a more remote area of Australia.  For example, the purchase of a beach shack in a remote location would be perceived as riskier than a unit in Brisbane CBD, as it’d naturally be more difficult to sell after repossession, so you may not get loan approval so easily.

How much can I borrow with an online home loan?

Online home loans are subject to the same rules and restrictions as loans offered by traditional banks and lenders.  The amount you’re able to borrow will depend on your income and what other debts you have, as well as the size of the deposit you’re able to provide.

What additional loan costs should I budget for?

The additional costs you’ll need to think about will depend on the value of your property and where it’s located.  Stamp duty is one major additional cost you’ll need to think about, but this varies widely from state to state.  There will also be additional costs for:

  • lenders Mortgage Insurance – which may apply if you don’t have a 20% deposit
  • legal and conveyancing fees. Allow up to $2,000 for these.
  • building inspection report costs – which will depend on the size of your property, usually around $600
  • pest inspection report costs – usually around $500 for a general pest inspection
  • home insurance – which all lenders will require from the moment you sign your sale contract.
Can I apply for an online loan if I’m self-employed?

Yes – with around 18% of Australians now self-employed, there are plenty of loan options for contract workers and sole traders.  You’ll need to provide proof of a steady, regular income and may be asked to provide your tax returns for the past two years to be considered eligible for your loan.

Can I fill in an online loan application after work hours?

Yes – you can apply for your loan at a time that is convenient for you, as online lenders’ application portals are open 24/7.  Many lenders even give you the option of specifying when you’d like to be contacted by them so you can fit your loan application around your working life.

Is full approval guaranteed once I have loan pre-approval online?

No – full approval isn’t guaranteed after loan pre-approval, but if you’ve submitted a strong loan application you stand a very good chance of your home loan being finally approved.

Helpful guides on home loans

Close up of a stressed and unhappy young Australian woman looking out the window

Australia’s Housing Crisis Report

Savvy delves into the July 2023 housing crisis survey data to learn what impact this is having on vulnerable Australians. Survey by Everybody’s Home shows two-thirds of Australians are experiencing...

How much does it cost to sell a house

How much does it cost to sell a house?

Renovations and touch-ups You’ve seen all the lifestyle shows and magazines: adding features and fixing up old fixtures around the house can add to its value. A well-planned and comprehensive...

The pros and cons of co-owning a property

What does it mean to co-own property? Simply put, co-owning property is when you partner up with two or more people to pool together finances to purchase a home. This...

Your guide to invest in properties interstate

This happens especially because the market conditions differ from state to state. For example, in a particular area the property values are rising, but in another one the prices may...

Reverse mortgage statistics

Reverse mortgages: a look at the statistics

Reverse mortgages don’t require repayments immediately. The lender is paid back after you sell the home or pass away. The major difference between regular mortgages and reverse mortgages is that...