Home loans · Defence
Home Loans for ADF & Defence Personnel
Serving members of the Australian Defence Force have access to support that no other profession gets, and a fair few do not use all of it. Between the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme, a purchase assistance payment, and the way allowances are treated, there is real value on the table. Frequent postings just mean you want the structure right.
Buying a home while you are serving comes with a few things civilians never see. Some help you, like the schemes built for Defence members. Others just need planning, like knowing you might be posted interstate in a couple of years. Here is how I approach a Defence member's loan.
The Defence schemes worth knowing
- DHOAS, the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme, pays a subsidy toward your home loan interest each month once you have served a qualifying period. The subsidy tier rises with your length of service.
- HPAS, the Home Purchase Assistance Scheme, is a one-off lump sum toward the costs of buying. The amount is set by Defence and updated over time, so it is worth checking the current figure.
- Allowances tied to your service can often be included in your income by the right lender, which lifts your borrowing power.
- Approved lenders apply for DHOAS, and not every lender is on the list, so the scheme narrows your options in a way worth planning around.
The scheme rules are set by Defence, not the bank
Eligibility, qualifying periods and subsidy tiers for DHOAS and HPAS are set by the scheme and change over time. I will not guess at your entitlement. What I do is help you use it well once you have confirmed it, and match you to a lender that works with it.
Buying around postings
Postings are the practical thing that shapes a Defence member's property decisions. You might buy somewhere, get posted interstate, and want to keep the place as an investment and rent it out. That is a common and workable plan, but it changes how you should structure the loan from day one. Setting it up as a future investment, thinking about an offset, and keeping flexibility all matter more when you know you may move. My guide on offset versus redraw and my investment property loans page are both worth a read.
If this is your first home, you may also be eligible for government schemes on top of the Defence support. Start with first home buyer support and get a feel for the numbers with how much can I borrow.
Make your Defence entitlements work harder
Book a free call and we'll build a plan around your service, your allowances and where you might be posted next.
Frequently asked questions
What is DHOAS and can I use it?
The Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme pays a monthly subsidy toward your home loan interest once you have completed a qualifying period of service, with the subsidy tier rising the longer you serve. Eligibility is set by the scheme, so confirm yours, and I'll help you use it through an approved lender.
Will a lender count my service allowances?
Often yes. The right lender can include allowances that come with your role, which lifts your borrowing power. How much counts varies, so I match you to a lender that treats Defence income well. Book a call to talk it through.
I might get posted. Should I still buy?
Plenty of Defence members buy and later keep the place as an investment when they are posted. It works well when the loan is structured for it from the start, which is exactly the kind of planning I help with.
Important information
This information is general in nature and does not take your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs into account. It is not credit assistance or a recommendation to enter into any particular credit contract. Consider whether it is right for you and seek advice before acting. Lending is subject to a lender's eligibility and approval criteria. Terms, conditions, fees, and charges apply.
Greenwood Finance · ABN 23 671 049 693 · Credit Representative No. 551942.
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