What are Keystart loans all about?
Keystart is a Western Australian Government initiative that provides home loans & finance to those that may not meet the deposit requirements of some of the big banks.
These loans help first homes buyers in Perth who are struggling to save for a deposit. If that’s you, this may be a perfect way to get there. Keystart aims to help make the dream of home ownership a reality by offering affordable, low deposit home loans with no Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). For more info on Keystart loans and finance options, head to their website here.
So, what are the Keystart requirements?
Aside from meeting the income limits, getting a Keystart home loan in Perth is a relatively simple process. Here’s what you’ll need to meet the Keystart requirements:
- Be an Australian Citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident
- Be living in Western Australia and want to buy or build here
- Be at least 18 years or older
- Have income which meets the required income limits
- Plan to live in your home for the duration of your Keystart loan
- Not own land or another home at the time of settlement of your Keystart loan
- Have enough funds to cover all the associated costs with purchase – your deposit, fees and any of the moving costs!
T&Cs apply. ACL 381437. Keystart is an initiative of the Western Australian Government
Keystart just made it easier to qualify
If you’ve been thinking about buying, now is a great time. Keystart have just changed their interest rates for new home loans, as well as making it easier for Perth home buyers to enter the property market by increasing their income limits! So, if you didn’t think you could afford your own home, think again! Keystart have made updates on how they calculate borrow capacity, which means you could borrow more*.
Keystart Metro Income limits:
- Singles: now $148,000 (was previously $137,000)
- Couples/Families: now $218,000 (was previously $206,000)
If you haven’t qualified before, you may now. Get in touch today and our partners at Resolve Finance will see if you qualify.
Skilled worker? There's a Keystart loan for you
Good news for the tradies, apprentices and early career skilled workers out there – Keystart have a home loan with your name on it.
The Skilled Start Home Loan* is a WA Government-backed loan built for early career Western Australians. And now they’ve expanded it even more, as eligibility now also covers police officers and emergency services personnel, on top of tradies, apprentices and other skilled workers.
Here’s what’s in it for you:
- Low 2% deposit – you may be able to buy with as little as 2% upfront*
- No Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) – skip this and you could save yourself thousands
- 1% discount off the standard variable interest rate for eligible buyers
- Free optional financial coaching – extra support to help set you up right
- Use the First Home Owner Grant – eligible buyers may be able to put the FHOG towards their deposit when building
So, who’s it for? You may be eligible if, in the past five years, you’ve:
- Graduated from TAFE or university with a Cert III qualification or higher
- Completed a formal apprenticeship
- Graduated from the WA Police Academy, the WA Fire and Emergency Services Academy, or an equivalent qualification interstate
Eligible construction industry workers may also qualify. You work hard for your community, so it’s about time a home loan worked just as hard for you.
Ready to find out if you qualify?
Get in touch today and our partners at Resolve Finance will take it from there.
All your Keystart & finance questions – Answered
Keystart loans are designed to help you get into your very own home earlier. They lower the upfront costs rather than offering the lowest interest rate on the market. You’ll need to meet certain criteria, like income limits. So pop in for a quick chat and our Resolve partners can sort things out for you quick smart.
Well, if you’re eligible for the loan, Keystart only need a deposit from as low as 2%*. That means you don’t have to front tens of thousands of dollars. With a low deposit, you’ll be able to reach your home ownership dreams sooner. Pretty sweet.
Well, if you’re eligible, you don’t have the pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance, saving you thousands. Also, pay no monthly account keeping fees, and get ongoing support when you need it. Heck yes.
It’s best to speak to our Resolve Finance partners. They offer a range of home loans that are tailored specifically for first home buyers. They’ve helped thousands of other first home owners get into their dream homes in Perth. And, they’re really good at it too.
There are lots of other low deposit loans, and we can help you find the right one for you. No matter what your situation, we’ll work together to get you into your new home sooner.
You need to be 18 years or older. If you’re not quite there yet, come see us on your 18th birthday and we’ll be happy to help.
Do you have to be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident? And what else is required?
Yes, you do. You’ll also need to be living in Western Australia and wanting to build a home. So, WA peeps, hit us up.
If obtaining finance has been difficult for you in the past, you could possibly be eligible now. It was recently announced that Keystart are making it easier for home buyers to enter the property market by increasing their income limits. So those who may not have met the eligibility criteria before, could possibly meet them now! You’ll need to have an income within the maximum limits. Which are:
- Singles: now $148,000 (was previously $137,000)
- Couples: now $218,000 (was previously $206,000)
- A family: now $218,000 (was previously $206,000)
You can’t own another home or land at the time of settlement of your Keystart loan. If you’re ready to get started on your home building journey and Keystart sounds like the right fit for you, contact us to find out more.
Information correct as at 20/8/25. T&Cs apply. ACL 381437. Keystart is an initiative of the Western Australian Government.
*Property price limits and income limits may be subject to change. Eligibility is at the discretion of Keystart. New limits apply throughout the State, excluding Kimberley and Pilbara regions. For full details on Keystart please head to their page: www.keystart.com.au/loans/low-deposit-home-loan. Resolve Financial Solutions Pty Ltd trading as Resolve Finance ABN 65 079 545 378, Australian Credit Licence No.385487.
*Eligibility is at the discretion of Keystart. For full details on Keystart please head to their page: https://www.keystart.com.au/ skilled-start-home-loan. Resolve Financial Solutions Pty Ltd trading as Resolve Finance ABN 65 079 545 378, Australian Credit Licence No.385487
Our Client's Story: Shana
Shana followed in her sister’s footsteps at age 21 and made the decision to build with Homebuyers Centre! Shana went through Keystart to help with her finance, allowing her to get into her dream home sooner.
Not your path? No stress! There’s more than one way to be financially first-home ready.