Finance Guides for Every Life Stage
Your financial needs change as your life changes. Find the guide that matches where you are now, with the loan types, insurance and mistakes to avoid at that stage.
Choose Your Life Stage
Each guide covers the key financial priorities, the loan types to consider, insurance needs and tips for getting a better rate at that stage.
First Home Buyer
Navigate the property market for the first time. Understand the 5% Deposit Scheme, grants, stamp duty concessions and LMI, and how to choose a first home loan.
- 5% Deposit Scheme
- FHOG by state
- LMI explained
Upgrader / Upsizer
Moving to a bigger home while selling your current one. Manage bridging finance, equity, and timing to make the transition as smooth as possible.
- Bridging loans
- Using equity
- Timing your sale
Property Investor
Build a property portfolio with the right loan structures. Understand investor rates, interest-only loans and the negative gearing changes from 1 July 2027.
- Investor loan rates
- Interest-only options
- Tax considerations
Refinancer
Know when refinancing is worth it, what fees apply, how to work out your break-even point, and how to negotiate with your current lender.
- When to refinance
- Cashback offers
- Break costs
Retiree
Managing your home loan, reverse mortgage options, and insurance in retirement. Protect your assets and keep costs low on a fixed income.
- Reverse mortgages
- Downsizer contributions
- Insurance in retirement
Young Professional
Start building wealth early: HELP debts, saving a deposit, the 5% Deposit Scheme, super and income protection for people starting out.
- HECS and borrowing
- First home strategies
- Income protection
Family with Kids
Balancing a mortgage, insurance and family costs: using an offset account as a buffer, fixing part of the loan, and reviewing cover as your family grows.
- Offset accounts
- Life insurance needs
- Family budget tips
Empty Nester
Kids have left home and it is time to reassess your finances. Consider downsizing, paying off the mortgage faster, and restructuring insurance.
- Downsizing options
- Accelerating payoff
- Insurance review
Why Your Life Stage Matters for Rates
Different Priorities
A first home buyer needs LMI guidance and grant eligibility. A refinancer needs to know their break costs and how to judge a cashback. One guide doesn't fit all.
Rate Strategies Vary
Investors pay higher rates than owner-occupiers on average, and interest-only costs more again. Retirees need to show how they'll repay after they stop work.
Product Eligibility
Government schemes like the 5% Deposit Scheme and Help to Buy have eligibility criteria tied to your situation. Know what you qualify for.
Common questions
What is the 5% Deposit Scheme?
An Australian Government scheme, formerly the Home Guarantee Scheme, that lets eligible first home buyers buy with a 5% deposit, and single parents with 2%, without paying lenders mortgage insurance. Since 1 October 2025 it has had no income caps or limit on places (Housing Australia).
When is refinancing worth it?
When the interest you'll save over the time you keep the loan is bigger than the cost of switching. Divide your switching costs by your monthly saving to find how many months it takes to break even.
What is the downsizer contribution?
If you're 55 or older and sell a home you or your spouse have owned for at least 10 years, you can each put up to $300,000 of the proceeds into super within 90 days of receiving them (ATO).
Full detail and sources: first home buyer schemes and grants ·refinancing your home loan ·home loans for older borrowers
Not Sure Which Stage Fits You?
Start with our mortgage calculator to understand your borrowing position, then explore the guides above.
Use the Free Calculator