Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Xskape Finance FAQ. As part of our new business model, we're committed to transparency and helping you break out of mortgage prison with tailored loans from 40+ lenders. If your question isn't covered, contact us via our location-specific pages or upcoming channels like YouTube (@xskapebreakout) and X (@Xskapefinance).
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Xskape Finance Pty Ltd (ABN 83 125 242 748) is an Australian mortgage broking firm specializing in sourcing competitive loans to suit your needs. Founded in 2007, we help clients discover better finance options, including slashing rates to save money. As a Credit Representative (316019) authorized under Australian Credit Licence 384704, we access deals from over 40 lenders and banks to deliver personalized solutions.
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We provide a diverse range of loans tailored to various lifestyles and needs, including home loans for purchasing or refinancing, jetski loans, car loans, equipment loans for business assets, business loans for growth, medical loans for professionals, crypto loans for leveraging digital assets, boat loans, holiday loans, caravan loans, construction loans, bad debt loans, refinance loans, and debt consolidation loans. Our network of 40+ lenders ensures competitive terms across these options.
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Applying is simple—visit www.xskape.com.au, select your loan type (many link to our home loan page for starters), and click "Apply Now" or "Get Approved." Provide your financial details, and we'll match you with suitable options from our lender network. For personalized guidance, use our city-specific contact pages, such as for Sydney or Melbourne.
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Eligibility depends on the loan type but typically includes being an Australian resident, having a stable income, and meeting lender credit criteria. For specialized loans like business or crypto, you may need additional docs such as financial statements or asset proofs. We review applications case-by-case to find the best fit—contact us via a location page (e.g., Cronulla or Brisbane) for a pre-assessment.
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Our rates are competitive and vary by loan type, your credit profile, market conditions, and chosen lender from our 40+ network. We focus on transparent, no-hidden-fee options to help you save. For a personalized quote, apply online or reach out through our contact pages—no obligation.
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Privacy is a priority. All information is handled securely per our Privacy Policy (available at www.xskape.com.au/s/Privacy-Policy-2.pdf). We use your details only for loan processing and comply with Australian regulations to safeguard your data during applications.
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Michael Paulse serves as the Director, bringing extensive finance expertise to guide our team. Follow his insights on X @Xskapefinance or Youtube for lending tips and updates.
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We're based in Australia with a strong presence in New South Wales suburbs like Cronulla, Caringbah, Miranda, Gymea, Sutherland, Engadine, Wollongong, and Sydney areas such as Bondi, Coogee, and Marrickville. We also serve major cities including Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, and Tasmania via dedicated contact pages. Our primary operations focus on Australian clients, with potential NZ connections.
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Our crypto loans let you borrow against digital assets without selling, providing liquidity while retaining ownership. As part of our innovative offerings, we connect you with lenders specializing in this niche for flexible terms—ideal for modern investors.
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We stand out with access to 40+ lenders, a broad loan portfolio including unique options like jetski, boat, and bad debt loans, and a focus on empowering clients to "Xskape mortgage prison." Our new partnership program (/referral-program) allows firms to diversify income, plus we're expanding digitally with YouTube and X for better engagement. With over 17 years of service, we prioritize personalized, transparent finance.
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Yes! Our referral program empowers your firm to grow by partnering with us for diversified income streams. Visit www.xskape.com.au/referral-program to learn more and join today.
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Absolutely. Our bad debt loans are designed for those rebuilding credit, offering options to consolidate or refinance through our lender network. Eligibility is assessed individually—start by applying or contacting us.
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The average variable home loan interest rate stands at 6.41%, while the lowest available rates start from 4.99% for qualified borrowers. Fixed rates can be lower, around 4.79-4.85%, depending on the lender and loan terms. Rates fluctuate based on RBA policies and economic factors. Our team at Xskape Finance customizes options to secure competitive rates for your unique situation—contact us for a free assessment.
Average Rates: The average variable rate for owner-occupier home loans is around 5.51%, while fixed rates average about 5.10%. These figures reflect existing loans, but new borrowers can often secure better deals through negotiation or brokers.
Lowest Available Rates: For highly qualified borrowers (strong credit, stable income, and low loan-to-value ratios), the lowest fixed rates start as low as 4.74% (comparison rate 4.82%), offered by select lenders on 1- to 3-year terms. Variable rates can dip to 4.79% (comparison rate 5.41%) for premium packages. Other competitive options include 4.85% variable (comparison rate 4.93%) from online lenders. Fixed rates from major banks like NAB and HSBC are around 4.99% to 5.19% for shorter terms.
Variable vs. Fixed: Variable rates offer flexibility and potential savings if rates drop, but they're exposed to RBA increases—experts predict possible hikes in 2026 if inflation doesn't ease. Fixed rates provide certainty, ideal for budgeting, especially with terms up to 5 years. Comparison rates (which include fees) are crucial—always compare these to avoid hidden costs.
Factors Influencing Rates: Your personal circumstances matter. Lenders assess credit score, deposit size, employment stability, and property type. For example, investor loans often carry higher rates (0.2-0.5% premium) than owner-occupier ones. Regional variations exist, with urban areas like Sydney seeing slightly higher averages due to property prices.
At Xskape Finance, our innovative model leverages bulk negotiations with over 37 lenders to secure rates below market averages—often 0.1-0.3% lower for our clients. We also offer hybrid options where we co-invest in your property equity, reducing your effective interest burden. Switching to a better rate could save you thousands annually; for instance, dropping from 5.51% to 4.74% on a $500,000 loan saves about $7,488 per year. Use our online calculator at www.xskape.com.au to estimate your savings, or book a free rate review with our experts.
Remember, rates change frequently—check with us for real-time quotes tailored to your profile.
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Yes, absolutely—especially if you're a first-time buyer.
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (formerly the First Home Guarantee) allows eligible buyers to enter the market with just 5% of the property value as a deposit, backed by a government guarantee that waives Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) in many cases.
As of January 2026, this scheme has expanded: every first home buyer is now eligible for a 5% deposit purchase following industry consultations.
For example, on a $600,000 property, that's just $30,000 upfront.
However, you'll need to meet criteria like Australian citizenship, a clean credit history, and the property must be under price caps
If you're not eligible for the scheme, many lenders still accept 5% deposits but charge LMI, which can add 1-2% to your loan costs.
At Xskape, we guide you through applications and can offset LMI via our equity models, potentially saving you thousands.
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The absolute minimum is typically 5% for first home buyers under government schemes, or 2% for single parents and certain state programs.
This must be "genuine savings" (e.g., saved over 3-6 months or from equity in other assets).
Without schemes, lenders may require 10% plus costs like stamp duty (3-5% extra).
Total upfront costs, including fees, can reach 7-10% of the purchase price.
Regional buyers might benefit from lower thresholds via schemes like the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee (5% deposit, prior owners eligible if no property in 10 years). In high-cost areas like Sydney, a 5% deposit on a median $1.2M home is $60,000—daunting, but grants like the First Home Owner Grant ($10,000 in some states) help.
Our Xskape model revolutionizes this by offering co-ownership options, reducing your minimum to as low as 1-2% in partnered deals.
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Yes! ✅ You can secure a home loan with just a 2% deposit in Australia under specific government-backed schemes and state programs—especially if you're a first-time buyer, single parent, or low-to-middle-income earner. As of January 12, 2026, these options have expanded dramatically, breaking down barriers in our skyrocketing property market. At Xskape Finance, we're thrilled to pioneer innovative solutions like equity-sharing partnerships and AI-driven assessments to slash your upfront costs even more 💡—sometimes mimicking deposits below the norm through smart co-investments. Let's dive in step by step, covering key schemes, eligibility, and how we can supercharge your journey!
Key Schemes Allowing 2% Deposits 📋
These programs ditch the old 20% deposit rule (to skip Lenders Mortgage Insurance or LMI) with government guarantees or shared equity. Here's the scoop:
Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (with 2% Boost for Single Parents) 🌟 This nationwide powerhouse lets first home buyers jump in with a 5% deposit, but drops to a game-changing 2% for eligible single parents or legal guardians with kids. The government backs it, wiping out LMI and easing lender worries.
Deposit: 2% for single parents/guardians; 5% for others. 🔑
Eligibility: Aussie citizens or permanent residents (from Oct 2025), 18+, no current property (prior owners OK for FHG stream), owner-occupy plans. No income limits since Oct 2025—wide open!
Property Caps: Location-specific (e.g., $1.5M in Sydney/regional NSW hubs, $800K elsewhere in NSW). 📍
How It Works: Apply via 30+ lenders like CommBank, NAB, Westpac. Government guarantees 15-18% of the loan for up to 98% LVR on 2% deposits. No queues or limits!
2026 Updates: Bigger price caps and more inclusive for permanent residents. It's empowered over 248,000 Aussies since 2020! 📈 At Xskape Finance, we fast-track these apps and add our equity-sharing magic to cut costs further—perfect for single parents balancing family finances! 👨👩👧Item description
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A tailored arm of the 5% Scheme for single parents or guardians (e.g., aunts, grandparents) with dependents. Not just for newbies—flexible for past owners too!
Deposit: Minimum 2%, government covers LMI. 💰
Eligibility: Singles only (joints with non-partners possible per lender), no income caps from Oct 2025, solid credit/job history, owner-occupy vibe (move in 6-12 months). No current property needed.
Property Types: Existing pads, units, house-and-land, or off-the-plan. 🏗️
Process: Lender pre-approval, 90-day hunt (extendable), routine checks.
2026 Status: Thriving with no caps, boosting access for all. Xskape's innovative model amps up FHG with extra equity support, helping solo parents grow wealth quicker without big deposits! 🚀
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Rolled out in Dec 2025, this shared-equity gem lets low-to-middle earners start with 2% while the government chips in 30% (existing homes) or 40% (new builds) for equity. No LMI, and buy back their share anytime!
Deposit: As low as 2%. 📉
Eligibility: Aussie citizens 18+, income ≤$100K (singles) or ≤$160K (couples/parents), no other properties, owner-occupy intent. Open to prior owners if qualified.
Property Caps: Area-based (e.g., $1.3M Sydney/regional NSW, $800K rest of NSW). 🌆
How It Works: Gov co-owns; repay on sale/refi or choice. Apps via lenders like CommBank, Bank Australia (expanding). Pre-approve with Housing Australia (90 days, extendable). Stack with First Home Owners Grant, but not others.
2026 Updates: In full swing, but capped at 40,000 spots over 4 years—don't delay! ⏰ Available nationwide where states approve. This syncs seamlessly with Xskape Finance's equity-sharing vibe—we stack perks for super-low effective deposits!
State-Specific Programs 🇦🇺
Queensland Housing Finance Loan: For QLD folks, 2% min deposit (or gap to max loan). No LMI, up to 30 years. Eligibility: QLD residents, income ≤$141K household ($201K regional trial to July 2026), good savings/credit, no other property. Live in 2026, with flex repayments but $817 fee.
South Australia 2% Deposit Loan: First buyers building new via HomeStart—saves on LMI/fees. Hit up HomeStart for deets. Other states may roll out pilots or grants to trim effective deposits. 🔍
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In Australia, credit scores are calculated by bureaus like Equifax (0-1,200 scale), Experian (0-1,000), and illion (0-1,000), based on factors like payment history (35%), credit utilization (30%), length of credit history (15%), new credit applications (10%), and credit mix (10%). A "good" score opens doors to better loan approvals, lower rates, and higher borrowing limits. As of 2026, with comprehensive credit reporting fully in place, timely payments are more crucial than ever.
Score Ranges:
Equifax (Most Common for Home Loans): 0-509 (Below Average), 510-621 (Average), 622-725 (Good), 726-832 (Very Good), 833-1,200 (Excellent).
Experian: 0-499 (Below Average), 500-699 (Good), 700-799 (Very Good), 800-1,000 (Excellent).
General Benchmark: A score above 600-661 is considered "good" across bureaus, qualifying you for most loans. 700-800 is "very good" (better rates), and 800+ is "excellent" (premium deals, e.g., 0.5% rate reductions).
Why It Matters: A good score (e.g., 622+) signals reliability, reducing lender risk. It can save you 0.25-1% on interest rates—for a $500,000 loan, that's $50,000+ over 30 years. Poor scores (<500) may lead to rejections or higher rates.
How to Improve: Pay bills on time (set autopay), keep credit card balances under 30% of limits, avoid multiple applications, and check your report annually (free via bureaus). Dispute errors promptly. In 2026, focus on positive habits amid economic pressures.
Xskape Finance's new model includes built-in credit-building tools: we partner with bureaus for real-time monitoring and offer equity-based loans that reward improving scores with rate reductions. Not sure of your score? We provide free checks and strategies—start your journey at www.xskape.com.au.
Ready to escape high costs and barriers? Reach out to Xskape Finance today for tailored advice that aligns with our innovative, client-first business model. Let's make your homeownership dreams a reality!

