How to apply for a home loan

When to apply.

You should consider applying for a home loan at the start of your house hunting journey. A conditional approval¹ will give you an understanding of how much you can afford to borrow to buy your new home. Knowing this will keep your house hunt focused and realistic.

What you need to apply.

You will need this information to hand:

Your personal information: name, address, date of birth
Identification if you're a new Westpac customer such as a passport or driver's licence
Amount you want to borrow
What the loan is for: to buy a home, build a new home or buy an investment property
Your annual income, including any overtime and commission
Your debts and expenses, such as credit cards and other loans
Details of the type of home you're looking to purchase.

The process.

1

Apply

You can choose to apply in a branch, over the phone, via a Mobile Mortgage Manager or online.

2

Conditional approval

If you're applying in a branch, over the phone or via a Mobile Mortgage Manager, we can often give a conditional approval on the spot (subject to responsible lending inquiries) for straight forward applications where all required documentation is provided.

If you apply online we’ll aim to get back to you within 3 to 5 business days to take you through the next steps towards conditional approval. This includes confirmation of the details in your application and assessment against responsible lending criteria.

Note, if there's a second applicant they will also need to agree to the application and a credit check.

3

Start house hunting!

A conditional approval gives you an idea of how much you can borrow, based on conditions and responsible lending inquiries. With this you can now start looking for a house that you could call home.

Ways to apply.

Meet with an expert

Our Mobile Mortgage Managers can come to you, when it suits you best.

Find a Mobile Mortgage Manager

Get started online

Apply online and we’ll aim to get back to you within 3 to 5 business days.

Apply online

Talk to us

Call us from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm Saturday.

Call 0800 177 277

Visit us

Make an appointment to talk to a home loan expert in branch.

Find your nearest branch

The next steps.

Once you have a conditional approval there are a few key steps you'll need to take:

Find a house that you could call home
Do your homework: get builder and council reports, and a valuation
Arrange for a solicitor to handle the legal and financial details
Make your offer (this can be conditional or unconditional), or bid at auction. You can learn more about the ways to buy here
Check the details and sign the sale and purchase agreement
Talk to us about the best way to structure for your new home loan, once your offer has gone unconditional, or you've bought at auction
Sign the home loan documents with your solicitor. Learn more about this step here
Book the movers
Pay the balance at settlement and move into your new home!
Check the details of your first home loan repayment. It's easiest to make sure your repayment dates coincide with your pay day.

You might also be interested in.

Things you should know.

¹ Conditional approval requires a credit check, confirmation of the details provided in your application and responsible lending inquiries. Other conditions may also apply depending on the nature of your application.

Westpac's home loan lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. An establishment fee may apply. A low equity margin may apply.

Documents and fees

See the detailed terms and conditions, and fees, for our home loans:

View terms and conditions for all our home lending products here.

How to apply for a home loan.