#1 DEFENCE HOME LOAN
Get Defence Home Loans Australia support and feel fully prepared for your next steps
You handle tight schedules, so your guidance needs to be direct and dependable.
Without a defence mortgage broker, the benefits are there but they can be hard to navigate if no one explains them clearly. Your Defence Home Loans Australia options are mapped out in a simple, orderly format that lets you act today without hesitation. You stay aligned with your aims while maintaining steady momentum toward your home.
Is your defence service working against you?
Shifting posts, moving bases, and managing allowances can make your income look inconsistent to civilian lenders. Many banks don’t fully understand Defence remuneration. Instead of recognising the stability of service pay, they may categorise it as “non-standard” income and delay or decline your application.
Too many Defence families are told “you don’t qualify”, even when the capacity to afford the loan is clear. The challenge isn’t your service. It’s that many lenders don’t understand Defence pay structures. It’s frustrating watching others progress while you face another setback.
A loan that fits Defence life and uses your service benefits. properly can change the process entirely. With the right guidance, your service record becomes an advantage. Those benefits exist to support your path to home ownership, and you need someone who knows how to apply them.
Avoid feeling trapped in the wrong home loan
Home ownership should offer stability, not restrictions. For Defence members, concerns about being locked into an unsuitable loan are common. You might worry about posting changes and how your home loan. will adapt, or how leaving Defence could affect your rates and conditions.
If a loan isn’t structured correctly from the start, later adjustments can create unnecessary costs. That uncertainty often leads ADF personnel to hesitate before buying. But your career shouldn’t prevent you from securing a home of your own.
With a loan designed for the flexibility Defence requires, you’re not tied to one location or penalised for movements. You can own a home while keeping your options open for whatever Defence life brings.
Trusted defence home loan options for your future
As a defence member, you have access to a range of defence home loan solutions designed to meet the unique demands of military life. Whether you are preparing for a posting, planning for long-term financial security, or seeking greater repayment flexibility, a flexible home loan options is available to support your goals with confidence.
Fixed-rate home loans
Achieve peace of mind with consistent and predictable repayments. Ideal for maintaining stability during deployments, relocations, or long-term budgeting.
Variable-rate home loans
Take advantage of market shifts. If rates fall, your defence home loan repayments may decrease, offering added flexibility and potential savings.
Interest-only home loans
Manage cash flow during major transitions by making interest-only repayments initially before moving to full principal and interest.
Split home loans
Combine the certainty of a fixed rate with the flexibility of a variable rate, balancing stability with the benefits of potential rate reductions.
Offset home loans
Link your loan to an everyday account and use your savings to reduce interest. The more you save, the faster you lower your defence home loan balance.
Line of credit home loans
Access approved funds as needed for renovations, investments, or unexpected expenses, supporting financial readiness throughout Defence life.
Real stories from ADF members serving and now settling
Get your defence home loan sorted in 4 clear steps
Share details about your service and goals
You start by answering a few questions about your Defence role, your posting situation, and what kind of home you are hoping to buy. This sets the groundwork for choosing the defence home loan options that fit your circumstances.
Confirm your defence benefits work for you
Next, your DHOAS entitlements and allowances are checked against loan options, so you can clearly see what support you can use to lower costs and make repayments easier. Everything is presented in a clear and steady way.
Review your plan with what you can afford
Once everything is lined up, get a simple plan showing what you can borrow, what the repayments look like, and how your Defence benefits apply. This gives you confidence to move forward without unexpected issues.
Move forward at your own pace
When you’re happy, the paperwork gets handled step by step so things don’t drag on. You’ll be able to focus on your life and service while knowing your home loan progresses.
Secure your defence home loan next steps
If you are currently serving, a veteran, or part of a Defence family, timing matters when buying a home. Postings, allowances, changing pay structures, and your DHOAS benefits can all affect what you can do now, not just later. Having the right information early helps you avoid delays and make more confident decisions.
A complimentary one on one Defence Home Loan Strategy Session helps you understand where you stand, what options are available, and how to move forward with confidence. The session provides clear, practical guidance based on your service circumstances, with your information handled securely and confidentially.
Here is what we will cover in your session:
- Are you using your DHOAS benefits in the best way for your situation?
- Which loan options actually suit Defence life with postings, allowances, and leave without pay?
- How can you get a clear picture of what I can afford without hidden costs?
- What common mistakes do Defence families make with home loans and how can you avoid them?
- What’s the fastest and smartest way to get into your own home?
A straightforward, supportive session to clarify your next steps. Complete the form below for guidance tailored to your circumstances.
Questions people often ask us as experts about defence home loans
How does a defence home loan work if I keep getting posted to different locations?
Moving often is one of the biggest worries Defence members have when buying a home. A defence home loan can still work even if you’re posted every few years. The main thing is making sure the loan type you choose suits the fact that you might rent your home out while you’re away.
Many lenders allow you to change your loan from an owner-occupier loan to an investment loan if you get posted. You may also be able to use DHOAS to help with repayments, even if you aren’t living in the home full-time.
It’s worth planning ahead. Think about the kind of property you buy. Some members choose homes in popular rental areas so if they do need to relocate, finding tenants is easier. Also, consider how stable your repayments will be. Fixed-rate loans can give predictability while you’re away, while variable loans may be helpful if you plan to pay extra.
The key is that postings don’t stop you from buying a home. They just mean you need a loan set up in a way that is flexible enough to move with you.
What is DHOAS and how does it really help with home loan repayments?
The Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS) is a government benefit designed to make owning a home more affordable for Defence members. It works by giving you a monthly subsidy that reduces the cost of your home loan repayments. The longer you serve, the bigger the benefit.
To use DHOAS, you need to first apply for a subsidy certificate from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. This certificate shows how much subsidy you’re entitled to. Once you have that, you take it to an approved lender, and they link the benefit to your loan. The payment doesn’t come to you directly. Instead, it goes to the lender, which means your loan balance is lowered each month.
For example, if your repayments are $2,000 per month and your subsidy is $400, then you only need to pay $1,600 out of your pocket. This can save you thousands every year.
One thing to keep in mind is that not all lenders work with DHOAS. It’s important to check so you don’t miss out on the help available to you. Schedule A Defence Home Loan Call
I’ve heard banks don’t understand Defence pay. Is that true?
This is a genuine frustration for a lot of Defence members. Regular banks don’t always understand that your pay is reliable, even though it may look different to civilians. Things like deployment allowances, rent allowance, field pay, or frequent posting moves can confuse a lender who doesn’t know what Defence life is like.
The truth is Defence income is often more secure than civilian jobs. But if a banker looks at your payslip and doesn’t understand your entitlements, they may treat you like you have “irregular” income. That can cause stress and sometimes even affect how much they say you can borrow.
The good news is lenders who are experienced with Defence loans take your allowances and benefits into account correctly. That means your borrowing power may actually be higher than what a regular bank teller first tells you.
So if you’ve had issues before, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get a fair loan. It just means you need to work with someone who knows how to interpret Defence income properly.
Do I have to live in my home to use my defence housing benefits?
This is a common question, especially since postings can make it hard to actually stay in one place. With DHOAS, yes, there are requirements around occupying the home. Usually, you need to live in the property for a minimum period when you first buy it. However, once you’ve met that requirement and if you later get posted, you normally can rent it out and still keep the subsidy.
The rules are in place to stop people from using the benefits only as a way to fund investment properties they never lived in. But the system recognises that Defence members often don’t get much say in where they live. So allowances are made for posting orders and relocations.
It’s important to keep your paperwork up to date so you don’t lose access by accident. If you rent your place out, notify your lender and make sure your DHOAS stays linked to the loan.
So yes, you usually have to occupy the home at the start, but getting posted later normally won’t stop you from using the benefits.
What happens if I don’t qualify for DHOAS yet? Can I still get a defence home loan?
You don’t need DHOAS to get a home loan as a Defence member or veteran. While DHOAS is a great scheme that makes repayments lighter, you can still borrow without it. Many members choose to buy their first property before they qualify for DHOAS or before they’ve built up enough service time.
If that’s the case, your loan works like any standard home loan. The difference is your Defence income and stability are usually strong factors that lenders consider. You may also be eligible for other benefits, like the First Home Owner Grant or stamp duty concessions, which can still lighten your costs.
When you eventually qualify for DHOAS, you can look at refinancing into a loan that includes the subsidy. So not having access to DHOAS yet doesn’t stop you from becoming a homeowner sooner.
Think of DHOAS as helpful extra support, but it isn’t the only way to make owning a home possible. Timing is personal, and you don’t have to wait if you’re ready to buy now.
Does moving around so much make owning a home too hard?
Many Defence families worry that frequent relocations make home ownership nearly impossible. But the truth is, while it adds complexity, it doesn’t rule it out. Owning property while serving often means you need to think about how to manage it when you’re away.
Most members in this situation rent their property out when they’re posted elsewhere. Rental income can help cover your loan repayments, and with the right property, it may even leave you better off. You just need to weigh up the type of property you buy, the location, and how attractive it’s likely to be to tenants.
You might also want to think about choosing a loan that’s flexible, so you can move between owner-occupied and investment status if needed. Some Defence members even see owning a home as an investment strategy while they’re serving, with the intention of living there later once they leave the ADF.
Owning a home as a Defence member does require extra planning, but it can still be done with less stress if you understand what to expect.
I find the paperwork for a defence home loan confusing. How can I make it simpler?
Paperwork is usually one of the most draining parts of getting a loan. With Defence home loans, you might feel there’s even more because you’re often asked to provide posting orders, service details, pay breakdowns, and DHOAS certificates on top of standard documents like payslips and bank statements.
A good way to make things easier is to gather the main items in advance. This usually includes your payslips, bank account records, any entitlement letters, and your Certificate of Service if needed. If you’re applying for DHOAS, go through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs online portal and request the certificate before you start your loan application.
Breaking the paperwork into steps also helps. Instead of trying to complete it all in one sitting, focus on one type of document at a time.
Another tip is to keep digital copies of everything in one folder so you don’t have to hunt for papers later. Once you’ve got a system set up, future applications or refinances become much simpler.
What should I look out for in a lender if I’m serving in Defence?
The main thing to look for is whether the lender understands Defence life. A bank that doesn’t recognise Defence allowances or can’t work with DHOAS may give you the wrong information or reduce your borrowing power.
Look for lenders that accept allowances as part of your income, and double-check that they’re an approved provider for DHOAS if you’re planning to use it. Some lenders have stricter policies around Defence relocations, so it’s useful to ask upfront whether frequent postings will matter.
Another thing that helps is flexible loan products. Ask whether you can switch loans later or make extra repayments without penalty, because Defence life doesn’t always go to plan.
It can also be worth reading reviews from other Defence members to see how they were treated. Direct feedback often tells you much more than what’s on a lender’s website.
If you find a lender that knows how Defence income works, accepts DHOAS, and has flexible features, you’ll likely feel more confident and less stressed through the process.
What if I want to buy a home now but I’m not sure if I’ll stay in Defence long term?
This is a fair concern, because making a big financial decision while your future is uncertain can feel risky. The good news is buying a home while serving doesn’t mean you’re locked into something you’ll regret later.
If you leave Defence, the home loan itself continues just like a civilian loan. The main thing that changes is whether you can keep certain benefits, such as DHOAS. For that reason, it helps to think about your medium-term plans. If you’re very close to discharge, you’ll want to know exactly how much longer your subsidy will last.
Even without Defence benefits, owning a home has value. You can keep living in it, rent it out, or sell it if needed. The flexibility is there as long as you choose a property and loan that match your situation.
It might also help to think of your property as part of a bigger plan. Ask yourself how it would work for you if you did leave the ADF, not just if you stayed. That way, you’re covered either way.
How do I know if I’m using all my Defence benefits properly when buying a home?
It’s not unusual to feel unsure if you’re actually making the most of the support available. With Defence home loans, the main benefits are DHOAS, your housing allowances, and sometimes access to First Home Owner schemes depending on your state.
A good way to check is to first make sure you’ve applied for your DHOAS subsidy certificate. Without it, you won’t be able to use your entitlement. Next, look at whether you qualify for other grants. For example, some states have concessions that Defence members can use when buying their first property.
You can also review how your allowances are factored into the loan. Some lenders might not fully count all of your entitlements, which means you could be borrowing less than you really can.
Finally, think about timing. Sometimes waiting a bit longer to reach the next DHOAS tier may give you a larger ongoing benefit. Other times, it may be smarter to buy sooner.
By double-checking these areas, you’ll feel more confident that you’re not leaving anything on the table.
