1300 13 22 77
The First Stop
for first home buyers
With Community First Bank, you could get into your first home sooner. Get moving with the first home specialists.
Take the guesswork out of your home journey
Buying your first home should feel exciting — not overwhelming. We’re here to guide you every step of the way with genuine advice, fair rates, and the support you need to move in with confidence.
Between deposits, schemes, and ever-changing rules — it’s easy to feel uncertain. At Community First, we simplify it all. We’ll walk you through every step, answer your questions, and help you make confident, informed decisions.
Let’s talk
A helping hand to find the loan that works hardest for you.
We don’t just offer loans – we offer pathways. Whether you’re saving for your first deposit or ready to apply, we’ll help you find the right solution for your situation. We can help you see if you can qualify for government low deposit schemes and guarantees and extra savings such as no Lenders Mortgage Insurance4, all designed to help first home buyers step ahead with clarity, confidence and value.
Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme
Great option if you have less than 20% deposit to purchase a first home.
Buy your first home with as little as 5% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Plus, there are separate options available for Single Parents and residents in regional areas.
Learn how it works >Family Home Guarantee
Available to first home buyers with a family member ready to act as guarantor.
Using the Family Home Guarantee3 could allow you to borrow up to 100% of your first home’s value and save on LMI4 .
Learn how it works >Community Advantage Loans
Helping first home buyers in key community service professions.
Borrow up to 90% of the property value without the need to pay LMI4 . Includes both existing & new build owner occupied and investment properties.
Learn how it works >
Other ways we can help
If you are not eligible for our first home pathways, we can still help.
We offer competitive rates and lending up to 95% of the property value, plus tools and resources to help you. We can also help you access other state-based schemes, incentives and discounts.
Our members enjoy some of the market’s leading rates.
These are just two of our top loan picks. Let’s talk through the options and see how the rates and potential savings could help you get home sooner.
Buy, refinance or build
Go Basic Variable home loan
For owner occupier loans with an LVR up to 80% or are eligible for the 5% Deposit Scheme
5.95
%p.a. 1
Find out more
Buy, refinance or build
Boost Package – 2 year fixed home loan
For owner occupier loans with an LVR up to 80% or are eligible for the 5% Deposit Scheme
6.19
%p.a. 2
Find out more
How to apply
You can apply online, over the phone or by visiting one of our financial services stores. One of our Mortgage Specialists will guide you through the process.
You can read the Key Facts Sheet here.
You don’t need a big bank to get your big break
As a member-owned community bank, we don’t answer to shareholders – we answer to you.
We’ve been quietly helping Australians into their first homes for over 60 years. We believe in a smarter, fairer way to bank. One that puts people before profit and turns financial jargon into guidance you can trust.
- We are one of the 49 approved participating lenders to offer the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme
- Over 60 years helping Australians buy their first homes
- We offer many different pathways to owning your first home
- Member-owned, with profits going back to members, not shareholders
- Personalised guidance every step of the way
Let’s talk about your first home journey today
We’re here to help you move from dreaming to doing, with guidance, not pressure. Whether you’re saving, searching, or signing, your journey starts here.
Community First Direct
For member service, call 1300 13 22 77. We’re open 8am – 8pm weekdays and 8am – 3pm Saturdays.
No obligation. Just honest, genuine support from a bank that puts people first.
Tools and resources to help you get started
We’ve gathered all the tools, resources, and expert advice you need to make confident decisions – all in one place.
Frequently asked questions
The standard deposit is 20%, but through the Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme, you can buy with as little as 5% — with no Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). If you are not eligible for the Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme, you might still be to borrow up to 95% of the property value. Speak to a Mortgage Specialist to find out what’s right for you.
Each state or territory have additional grants and stamp duty concessions available to First Home Buyers. These are subject to eligibility and may vary based on type of property, location and price. Our team can provide this information when you speak with us or you can go to your respective state / territory government website for more information.
LMI is a one-off fee charged by the lender when your deposit is less than 20%. It protects the lender, not you. You can avoid it by saving a 20% deposit, using the First Home Guarantee, or having a family guarantor.
It depends on your income, expenses, existing debts and current interest rates. The quickest way to find out is to get a pre-approval with Community First Bank — this will give you a clear budget before you start looking.
Additional costs to prepare for will be conveyancing, building and pest inspections, and moving costs. One of the most significant costs may be stamp duty (if you are not eligible for available concessions / discounts) and LMI. Also keep in mind when inspecting houses, that some may need work before you move in or just after. Eg. You might need to upgrade appliances or blinds in older homes. Another one to consider is that you may want to have the home deep cleaned before moving in.
You can view Target Market Determinations here.
Credit eligibility criteria, terms & conditions, fees & charges apply.
1 Rates are for owner occupied loans up to 80% LVR and arecurrent as at 07/07/2026 and subject to change without notice. Lenders’ Mortgage Insurance applies where the loan to value ratio (LVR) exceeds 80%. Some suburb exclusions apply. Valuation for additional securities will be charged at cost and could incur additional legal fees. Government charges apply.
2 Rate is current as at 07/07/26, is available for owner occupier loans and subject to change without notice. Application and legal fee waiver applies to applications with one security property, additional securities will be charged at cost and could incur additional legal fees. Valuation fees may apply. Additional upfront fees apply for construction loans. Government charges or any exit costs may be incurred from your existing lender. Lenders’ Mortgage Insurance applies where the loan to value ratio (LVR) exceeds 80%. Some suburb exclusions apply.
3 The Guarantor should consider the risks associated with being a guarantor, primarily that if the borrower defaults on their loan. The guarantor should also seek independent legal advice. Credit criteria apply to the assessment of the adequacy of any proposed guarantee limit. Available on all loans eligible under the, for purchase or refinance of owner occupier or investment property. Note that for investment properties, the borrower must not have ownership of any other properties at the time of application, and for owner occupied properties a maximum of one other property may be owned which does not have sufficient equity to provide a security. The guarantee can be provided by parents or legal guardians, siblings, and children. Other Exclusions may apply. $150k minimum loan size applies. Full eligibility criteria on being a guarantor is available on request. The information on this page has been prepared without knowing your personal financial circumstances.
4 Lenders’ Mortgage Insurance applies where the loan to value ratio (LVR) exceeds 90%. Some suburb exclusions apply.
*The comparison rate is based on a secured loan amount of $150,000 over a loan term of 25 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate.