The ABS Lending Indicators report showed the number of new loan commitments to owner-occupier first home buyers grew for the second consecutive month, up 1.3%.

The strongest rises in owner-occupier loan commitments were Victoria (up 5.2%), New South Wales (up 3.0%) and Western Australia (up 7.1%).

ABS' acting head of finance and wealth Amanda Seneviratne said December’s rise was driven by a 5.3% rise in the value of new owner-occupier loan commitments.

"This is the second consecutive monthly rise in owner-occupier lending and follows the falls seen from June 2021 through to October 2021," she said. 

Loans to first home buyers also rose 1.3%, the second consecutive monthly rise after falls from February 2021 through to October 2021.

In Western Australia first home buyer loan commitments rose 11.8%; Queensland, 3.8%; Tasmania, 21.6%; Victoria, 1.0%; and South Australia, 0.6%.

Investor lending also rose 2.4%, reaching $10.3 billion in seasonally adjusted terms, surpassing the record set the previous month.

"Investor lending has seen growth over the past 14 months and accounted for around one third of the value of new housing loan commitments in December 2021," Ms Seneviratne said.

"The previous investor lending peak in April 2015 accounted for 46% of new housing loan commitments."

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

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LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees Max LVR Lump Sum Repayment Extra Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkComparePromoted ProductDisclosure
5.94% p.a.
5.98% p.a.
$2,978
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
90%
  • Owner Occupier
  • Variable
  • Principal & Interest
  • 10% Min Deposit
  • Redraw
  • Extra Repayments
  • More details
  • Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.
  • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
  • Dedicated loan specialist throughout the loan application.
 Disclosure
5.89% p.a.
5.80% p.a.
$2,962
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
  • Built and funded by CommBank
  • Owner Occupier
  • Variable
  • Principal & Interest
  • 20% Min Deposit
  • Redraw
  • More details
  • 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.
 Disclosure
5.99% p.a.
6.02% p.a.
$2,995
Principal & Interest
Fixed
$0
$0
60%
  • Owner Occupier
  • Fixed 3 Years
  • Principal & Interest
  • 40% Min Deposit
  • Redraw
  • More details
  • Competitive rates to help you save
  • A Dedicated Relationship Manager
  • Certainty of repayments with a fixed rate term
 Disclosure
5.93% p.a.
5.93% p.a.
$2,975
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$395
70%
  • Owner Occupier
  • Variable
  • Principal & Interest
  • 30% Min Deposit
  • Redraw
  • More details
 Disclosure
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Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning
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