Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee

Reliance Bank is an approved lender under the Australian Government's Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee (RFHBG) helping eligible regional home buyers realise their dream of home ownership. You can start with just a 5% DEPOSIT and avoid thousands of dollars in lenders mortgage insurance costs.

What is the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee?

The Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee (RFHBG) is an Australian Government initiative that aims to support eligible regional home buyers to purchase a home sooner, in a regional area. It is administered by Housing Australia under the Home Guarantee Scheme (Scheme) on behalf of the Australian Government.

Usually as a home buyer with less than a 20 per cent deposit, you need to pay lenders mortgage insurance. Often, this could amount to thousands of dollars. Under the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee, you can purchase a home with a deposit of as little as 5 per cent without the big cost of lenders mortgage insurance. This is because Housing Australia guarantees to a participating lender up to 15 percent of the value of the property purchased that is financed by an eligible regional home buyer’s home loan.

Fact sheetInformation guide

How does the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee work?

You can apply through Reliance Bank for a loan to purchase a residential property, and we will reserve a place in the guarantee on your behalf, provided your application meets the eligibility criteria.

Eligible regional home buyers are able to purchase in the regional area they have lived in during the preceding 12 month period, or an adjacent regional area. The RFHBG can also be used conjunction with other government programs like the First Home Super Saver Scheme or state and territory first home owner grants and stamp duty concessions.

If you are eligible for the RFHBG, you are not eligible for the First Home Guarantee. Home buyers who are not eligible for the RFHBG, may be eligible for the First Home Guarantee and Family Home Guarantee.

To find out more or assess your eligibility, talk to us or download the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee Fact Sheet.
 

What is a regional area?

To confirm whether you live in a regional area, and where you may be able to purchase, you can access the Regional Checker at https://www.housingaustralia.gov.au.

A regional area is defined as:

• the Statistical Area Level 4 (ASGS SA4 2016) areas in a State or the Northern Territory that are not a capital city of that State or Territory; and
• Norfolk Island; or the Territories of Jervis Bay, Christmas Island or Cocos (Keeling) Islands;

as defined in the version published by The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in July 2016.

The greater capital city areas of each state and the Northern Territory; and the entire Australian Capital Territory are excluded from the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee. Home buyers in these areas may be eligible for the First Home Guarantee or Family Home Guarantee.

Applying for the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee

There are limited places available nationwide, so contact us and we will guide you through the steps below.

1. Check if you're eligible
   Check your eligibility with us or on the Housing Australia website. https://www.housingaustralia.gov.au
   If you're ineligible, we'll still work with you to explore other options to help you get into your home.
    
2. Reserve your place
   We'll help guide you through the process and help find the best home loan for your needs. We'll work with you to reserve a place in the guarantee on your behalf.
    
3. Look for a home
   Explore and find a property that meets the eligibility criteria for the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee.
    
4. Make your move
   Move into your property and enjoy your home.

Speak to us today!