Helping Single Parents Buy a Family Home
The Australian Government’s Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (formerly the Family Home Guarantee) supports eligible single parents (with at least one dependent child) to purchase a home whether they’re first-home buyers or previous homeowners. Since 1 October 2025, the scheme transitioned into this broader program.
Scheme at a glance
- Single parents and legal guardians can now apply under the “Single Parent Stream” portion of the scheme with a deposit as low as 2%.
- First-home buyers (and eligible other buyers under the “General Stream”) can apply with a deposit of 5%.
- The scheme now offers unlimited places, no income caps, and increased property price caps across all states.
Key Features – how it works
- Buy sooner with a small deposit – 2% (single parents) or 5% (first-home/general) – instead of the usual 20% to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
- The Government (via Housing Australia) provides a guarantee to the lender rather than providing cash to you.
- You must live in the home (owner-occupier basis); investment properties are not eligible.
- Property price caps apply depending on location. For example in WA: metropolitan areas up to approx. $850,000, and regional WA up to approx. $600,000 (as of Oct 2025).
Eligibility Criteria in WA
Here’s how it applies locally in Western Australia:
- Eligible applicants: single parents or legal guardians with at least one dependent child. (Note: under the scheme’s updated rules, single parents may have previously owned property – check specific terms.)
- You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, aged 18+ at time of loan.
- You must plan to live in the home as owner-occupier.
- Property must meet price cap for your location (see above).
- Deposit must meet the minimum (2% for single parents).
- You apply through a participating lender. The lender assesses and applies for the Government guarantee.
Combine with Additional Support
You may still be eligible to access other programs such as:
How The Loan Company Can Help
Want to move ahead? Here’s what we’ll do:
- We’ll check your eligibility for the 5 % Deposit Scheme, including WA-specific property price caps and other criteria.
- We’ll review your deposit savings and structure your application to maximise benefits.
- We’ll guide you through the lender’s process to apply for the Government guarantee (via a participating lender).
- Because places are unlimited now, you don’t face the same cap constraints – but it’s still wise to act early given demand and property market dynamics.
- Contact our team today to get a tailored assessment and start your pathway to home ownership.
Enquire Now – let’s get you into your new home sooner!
(you can also read more in our blog here)
