Find the Right Home Loan, Faster.
Compare home loans from 30+ Australian lenders. Honest advice for Canberra buyers, refinancers, and investors. No fees to you.
Canberra mortgage broker — without the runaround.
Most Canberra buyers don't have a home loan problem. They have a clarity problem. Variable or fixed? Which lender? What's the deal with ACT stamp duty? Is my borrowing capacity higher because I'm a public servant? That's what we're here for. We're a Canberra-based mortgage broker. We compare home loans across 30+ lenders, explain your options in plain English, and run the application end-to-end. You don't pay us — the lender does, once your loan settles.
Why a local Canberra broker matters
The ACT plays by its own rules. We know them — from stamp duty reform to public service income to the Queanbeyan question.
ACT stamp duty is different
The ACT has been phasing out stamp duty over a 20-year reform — current rates are lower than NSW or VIC equivalents at many price points, and concessions apply for first home buyers and certain other groups.
Home Buyer Concession Scheme (HBCS)
Eligible Canberrans can pay no — or significantly reduced — duty on a home purchase. The income test changes annually. We keep up so you don't have to.
No FHOG in the ACT — different concessions
The First Home Owner Grant was abolished in 2019, but the HBCS concession is more valuable for many buyers. We'll tell you what you actually qualify for.
The Land Rent Scheme, explained straight
A Canberra-specific option: rent the land, only borrow against the house. Cheaper entry but longer-term tradeoffs. We tell you straight whether it fits your situation.
Public service income, understood
Lenders treat APS income very differently — EBA cycles, secondary employment, allowances, higher duties pay. We know which lenders read your payslip favourably.
The Queanbeyan question, modelled
Many Canberra buyers consider crossing into NSW (Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra) for better value. Different stamp duty, same commute. We model both sides for clients regularly.
Home loans for every stage
First home buyers in Canberra
Navigating HBCS, deposit options, lender LMI policy, and which suburbs fit your budget. We walk you through what you actually qualify for.
Refinancing your Canberra home loan
If you settled before 2023, you're almost certainly paying too much. We'll show you exactly how much you could save and handle the switch.
Property investors
ACT rental yields, land tax interactions, interest-only structuring. We help investors structure borrowing for growth, cash flow, or both.
Buying your next home
Bridging finance, deposit timing, and avoiding double-settlement headaches. Whether you're upgrading, downsizing, or moving cities.
When you work with Credit Star
- Access to 30+ lenders— majors, second-tier banks, credit unions, and non-banks
- End-to-end management — we handle the application, lender liaison, and chase the approval
- Face-to-face availability — meet us in Canberra, or do it all by phone and email
- ACT-specific guidanceon stamp duty, concessions, and the Land Rent Scheme
- No out-of-pocket cost — we're paid by the lender, not you
- Annual loan reviews — we check your loan against the market every year
Four simple steps to settlement
Free 15-minute call
Tell us about your situation. We tell you what's realistic. No commitment.
We compare the market
Using your numbers, we shortlist the loans that genuinely fit — and explain why others don't.
You choose, we apply
Once you're comfortable, we submit, follow up, and keep settlement on track.
Annual review
Every 12 months we check whether you're still on the best loan.
Free Canberra-relevant calculators
Get oriented before you talk to us. All calculators are free, instant, and calibrated for Australia.
Borrowing Power
How much could you actually borrow?
ACT Stamp Duty
Including HBCS concessions.
Loan Repayments
See real monthly numbers.
Home Deposit
Work out the deposit you need.
Common questions, straight answers
Q1- ow much can I borrow for a home loan in Canberra?
Borrowing capacity depends on your income, expenses, existing debts, and the lender's serviceability buffer (currently 3% above the actual rate). Public servants on stable EBA salaries often borrow more than self-employed applicants with the same gross income. Try our borrowing power calculator for a quick estimate, then talk to us for a lender-specific figure.
Q2 - What's the stamp duty on a home in the ACT?
Ans :Lower than most other states for many price points, thanks to the ACT's stamp duty reform. First home buyers under the Home Buyer Concession Scheme income threshold may pay zero. Calculate ACT stamp duty here
Q3 - Do I qualify for the First Home Owner Grant in Canberra?
Ans : The ACT abolished the FHOG in July 2019. Instead, the Home Buyer Concession Scheme provides stamp duty relief for eligible first home buyers and certain other categories. The income test changes annually — book a call and we'll check your eligibility against the current thresholds.
Q4 - Is it better to buy in Queanbeyan or Canberra?
Ans : There's no single right answer. Queanbeyan (NSW) typically has lower entry prices but different stamp duty rules and no ACT concessions. Canberra has higher prices but stamp duty reform and HBCS make it competitive at certain price points. We model both for clients regularly.
Q5 - Are public servants treated favourably by lenders?
Ans : Generally yes. Stable APS income on permanent EBAs is well-regarded by most lenders. Allowances, higher duties, and secondary employment income can sometimes be counted too — but lenders vary widely on this. Worth a conversation.
Ready to find the right home loan?
The earliest conversations are the most useful — whether you're a few months from buying or already at the contract stage. No pressure, no obligation.
