From today, online lender and NAB subsidiary UBank will allow owner occupiers to buy a home with a 15% deposit without needing to fork out for Lender's Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

That's down from the standard LMI cutoff of 20%. 

According to UBank, owner occupiers could save $5,000 in insurance costs on an average loan of $480,000 by saving for a $72,000 deposit (15%) instead of $96,000 (20%). 

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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Filters
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
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning
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UBank CEO Philippa Watson said the major change would mean Australians can get into the market seven months earlier than if they had to pay LMI upfront. 

“We’re passionate about helping Australians get into their own homes but we know saving for a home deposit takes an average of 4.6 years, rising to over eight years for Sydney-siders," Ms Watson said.

“By only requiring a 15% deposit and waiving the need for LMI, UBank can help shave nearly seven months off the process."

Related: Gateway Bank to let customers make separate monthly LMI repayments

UBank loans available with this offer include a variable rate of 2.49% p.a. (2.49% p.a. comparison rate*), or a three-year fixed rate of 2.05% p.a. (2.41% p.a. comparison rate*) for owner occupiers making principal and interest (P&I) repayments.

Ms Watson said LMI, which can run into the tens of thousands, is an additional expense borrowers can do without.

"We know the appetite for home ownership is continuing to grow, with 56% of Aussies who do not yet own a home excited about the prospect of owning one, up 13% since July last year," she said. 

“But saving for a deposit can make the great Australian dream seem out of reach.

“LMI can add tens of thousands to a borrower’s loan. Here at UBank, we believe it’s an extra expense our customers can do without."

Athena drops variable rates by up to 20 basis points

Online lender Athena has cut interest rates on a number of its home loans for both owner occupiers and investors. 

Athena rate cuts for owner occupiers

  • The Celebrate variable P&I home loan for borrowers with 60% LVR has been cut by 20 basis points to 1.99% p.a. (1.99% p.a. comparison rate*). 
  • The Evaporate variable P&I home loan for borrowers with 60-70% LVR has been cut by 15 basis points to a new low 2.09% p.a. (2.02% p.a. comparison rate*). 
  • The Liberate variable P&I home loan for borrowers with 70-80% LVR has been cut by 10 basis points to 2.19% p.a. (2.08% p.a. comparison rate*).

Athena rate cuts for investors

  • The Celebrate variable P&I home loan for borrowers with 60% LVR has been cut by 15 basis points to 2.39% p.a. (2.39% p.a. comparison rate*).
  • The Evaporate variable P&I home loan for borrowers with 60-70% LVR has been cut by 10 basis points to 2.49% p.a. (2.43% p.a. comparison rate*).
  • The Liberate variable P&I home loan for borrowers with 70-80% LVR has been cut by 5 basis points to 2.59% p.a. (2.48% p.a. comparison rate*).
  • Investors making interest only (IO) repayments with 60% LVR have received a 15 basis point cut to 2.69% p.a. (2.50% p.a. comparison rate*). 

Government announces new home buying measures 

These changes come after the Federal Government announced a range of new measures to help Australians buy their first home sooner as part of the upcoming 2021-22 Budget, to be unveiled on Tuesday.

Among the measures are the Family Home Guarantee, which will allow 10,0000 single parents every year over four years to purchase a home with a 2% deposit from July.

The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, now called the 'New Home Guarantee' will be expanded for a second year, providing an additional 10,000 places in 2021-22.

Under the scheme, first time buyers can purchase a newly built home or build a new home with a 5% deposit.

The maximum amount of voluntary contributions that can be released under the First Home Super Saver Scheme will be increased from $30,000 to $50,000.