Services · Single parents
Yes, you can buy a home as a single parent in Australia, even on one income.
Programs like the Family Home Guarantee let eligible single parents buy with as little as a 2% deposit, and we help you work out what you actually qualify for.
Single parents in Australia can absolutely get a home loan, and there are specific government programs designed to help. The challenge is rarely whether you qualify in principle. It's that lenders all assess income differently, especially when your situation involves Centrelink, child support, self-employed income, or all three at once. One bank might say no flat out. Another might approve the same application with the right structure. The job of a good broker is to know which is which, so you don't waste time getting rejected by lenders who were never going to say yes to your situation in the first place.
Most of my single parent clients walk in convinced they can't buy. Most of them can. Some are closer than they think. A discovery call is the fastest way to find out where you actually stand.
The 2% deposit scheme
How can a single parent buy a home with just a 2% deposit?
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (formerly the Home Guarantee Scheme) lets eligible single parents and single legal guardians buy a home with a deposit of as little as 2%, without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
LMI on a small deposit can easily add $20,000 to $40,000 to your costs. The Scheme eliminates that entirely. The Australian Government guarantees up to 18% of the property value.
- ·Minimum 2% deposit as a single parent or single legal guardian
- ·No income caps, removed from 1 October 2025
- ·No waitlist, no place limits
- ·No LMI, saving up to $40,000 in upfront costs
- ·You don't need to be a first home buyer
- ·Solo applications only
Income
What income counts toward your home loan?
Different lenders treat single parent income very differently. Here is what most will accept:
- ·PAYG salary, 100% accepted with payslips
- ·Self employed income, accepted with tax returns (1 to 2 years)
- ·Family Tax Benefit Part A and B, accepted by many lenders as supplementary income
- ·Child support, accepted with court order or CSA assessment
- ·Parenting Payment, acceptance varies widely
- ·JobSeeker and Rent Assistance, almost never accepted
The biggest mistake single parents make is assuming one bank's no means the door is closed everywhere. It usually isn't.
Questions answered
Single parent home loan questions
- Can a single parent get a home loan in Australia?
- Yes. Single parents in Australia can absolutely get a home loan, and there are specific government programs designed to help. The challenge is rarely whether you qualify in principle. It's that lenders all assess income differently, especially when your situation involves Centrelink, child support, self employed income, or all three at once. One bank might say no flat out, another might approve the same application with the right structure. The job of a good broker is to know which is which, so you don't waste time getting rejected by lenders who were never going to say yes to your situation in the first place.
- How can a single parent buy a home with just a 2% deposit?
- The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme lets eligible single parents and single legal guardians buy a home with a deposit of as little as 2%, without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. As of 1 October 2025, the income cap was removed, the place limit was removed, and there is no waitlist. To qualify you must be single (no spouse or de facto partner), the natural parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian of one or more dependent children, an Australian citizen or permanent resident at least 18 years old, and not currently own residential property at settlement.
- What income do lenders accept from single parents in Australia?
- Most lenders accept 100% of PAYG income with two recent payslips. Self employed income is accepted with one to two years of tax returns. Family Tax Benefit Part A and B is accepted by many lenders as supplementary income. Child support is accepted with a court order or CSA assessment plus bank statements. Parenting Payment acceptance is mixed. JobSeeker and Rent Assistance are almost never accepted. The biggest mistake single parents make is assuming one bank's no means the door is closed everywhere. It usually isn't.
- How does refinancing a mortgage after separation or divorce work in Australia?
- Refinancing after separation usually involves removing your ex from the mortgage, buying out their share, and a fresh property valuation. The new loan is assessed against your sole income plus any acceptable supplementary income. If you've been managing the existing mortgage on time, that's strong evidence of serviceability. If your sole-name income doesn't service the existing loan, options include negotiating a smaller settlement, taking a longer loan term, or considering government schemes if you qualify.
- How does Matilda Tree Finance help single parents get a home loan?
- We start with a free 30-minute discovery call to talk through your situation, with no obligation. By the end of the call you'll know whether buying is realistic right now, what programs you might qualify for, and what next steps would look like. Engagement fee is $450 for standard applications, $750 to $950 for more complex ones. Lender commissions are paid by the bank and disclosed in writing. From there we handle lender comparison, paperwork and advocacy all the way through to settlement.
You already do the impossible daily. Now let's make homeownership possible too.
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