That's according to the latest Lending Indicators data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), which shows the increase was largely driven by investment lending. 

New loan commitments for investors were up 8.1% month-to-month, or $4.4 billion, compared to owner-occupied housing which increased by 5.5% ($13 billion). 

On a yearly basis, owner-occupied housing is up by 8.7%, while investment housing commitments are down 6.1% (seasonally-adjusted). 

The number of owner occupier first home buyer loan commitments rose 3.3% on a monthly basis to 9,616 and is up an impressive 19.5% year-on-year, meaning first home buyers now account for 31.3% of all owner occupier commitments (excluding refinancing). 

ABS Chief Economist Bruce Hockman attributed the rise in housing loan commitments to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in May around auctions, open houses and general personal mobility. 

“Despite the rebound in lending activity, the value of housing loan commitments in June was down over 10% compared to March after large falls in April and May,”
Mr Hockman said.

Buying a home or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest variable interest rates on the market for owner-occupiers.

Update resultsUpdate
Filters
LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkCompare
6.04% p.a.
6.06% p.a.
$2,408
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
70%
 Featured Online ExclusiveUp To $4K Cashback
  • Immediate cashback upon settlement
  • $2,000 for loans up to $700,000
  • $4,000 for loans over $700,000
5.99% p.a.
5.90% p.a.
$2,396
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
 Featured Apply In Minutes
  • No application or ongoing fees. Annual rate discount
  • Unlimited redraws & additional repayments. LVR <80%
  • A low-rate variable home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
6.14% p.a.
6.16% p.a.
$2,434
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$250
60%
 Featured Unlimited Redraws
  • No annual fees - None!
  • Get fast pre-approval
  • Unlimited additional repayments free of charge
  • Redraw freely - Access your additional payments when you need them
  • Home loan specialists available today
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Victoria sees fall - before COVID lockdowns struck 

June's housing recovery after May's historic falls was driven by pretty much every state except Victoria, which according to IFM Economist Alex Joiner, could underscore the likelihood of ongoing property market weakness in Melbourne. 

Each state bar-Victoria recorded either a large or modest increase in both investor and owner-occupier housing growth month-month, with the exception of Canberra: 

  • NSW posted a 9.5% and 13.7% growth in OO and investor housing respectively 
  • Queensland posted 19.5% and 15.1%
  • The ACT recorded 1.9% growth in OO housing but -5.8% in investment 
  • The Northern Territory posted a massive 45.7% growth in investment purchases and 19.4% in OO housing 

Victoria, on the other hand, saw a -5.8% decline in housing finance overall in June, with OO housing declining by 8.6% and investor housing recording a modest rise of 2.7%. 

However, these figures have happened before the worst of the state's COVID-19 outbreak occurred in July, and with new Stage 4 lockdowns coming into play in August, future results are likely to be even bleaker. 

[Read: One in ten home loans now deferred]

Commonwealth Bank Economists Kristina Clifton and Nicolas Guesnon said in an analysis of the results that while growth in June was strong, the reinstatement of stage 4 shutdowns in Victoria are likely to weigh on new home lending over coming months.  

"We do not see this month’s data as a turning point in home lending," they said. 

"Refinancing activity pulled back in June but still remains very strong. The uncertain economic backdrop seems to be prompting borrowers to find the best deal that they can on their home loans."

Buying an investment property or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest variable interest rates on the market for investors.

Update resultsUpdate
Filters
LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkCompare
6.19% p.a.
6.58% p.a.
$2,589
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
90%
 Featured 90% LVR
  • You MUST already have Solar or a documented plan to install within 90 days to be eligible for this loan
  • Available for refinance or purchase
  • No monthly, annual or ongoing fees
6.29% p.a.
6.20% p.a.
$2,473
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
 Featured Apply In Minutes
  • A low-rate variable investment home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
6.19% p.a.
6.23% p.a.
$2,447
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$595
80%
6.34% p.a.
6.59% p.a.
$2,486
Principal & Interest
Variable
$248
$350
70%
  • $0 application fee
  • Fast turnaround times
  • Estimate your borrowing power in as little as 1 minute
6.39% p.a.
6.41% p.a.
$2,499
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$250
80%
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.



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