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How to apply for a home loan.

Feel confident as you move towards buying your new home with our step by step process and guides.

When to apply.

You should consider applying for a home loan at the start of your house hunting journey. A conditional approval1 will give you an understanding of how much you can afford to borrow to buy your new home. Knowing this will keep your house hunt focused and realistic.

What you need to apply.

To check the loan meets your needs and is affordable for you, we need details of your income, expenses, proof of deposit, the amount you want to borrow, and the property details, if you have them.

The list below outlines what you should provide, to help get your application sorted as quickly as possible.

  • If you're new to Westpac: We'll also need to verify your identification and proof of your current address. Read more about acceptable forms of identification and address verification. 

  • Proof of income: We'll need your three most recent payslips. If you're self-employed, we'll need your latest accountant-prepared financial statements.

  • Debts and outgoing payments: We’ll need statements for any existing financial commitments, such as loans, credit cards, student loans, or hire purchase agreements. We’ll also ask for your regular living expenses, such as groceries, transport, and other day-to-day costs.

  • Amount you want to borrow and what the loan is for: For example, to buy a home, build a new home or buy an investment property.

  • Property details: If you've found a property, we'll need a copy of the signed sale and purchase agreement. If you're still looking, we'll ask about the type of property you're planning to buy.

  • Evidence of deposit. This could be from:
    o    KiwiSaver withdrawals
    o    First Home Grants (where applicable)
    o    Family gifts
    o    Savings accumulated over time.

The process.

1

Apply

Get in touch with our Home Loan Experts. It could just be a chat or if you’re ready to get started, they’ll guide you through the application process from start to finish. If you’re an existing customer, you can also apply in Westpac One® digital banking.
Chat with a Home Loan Expert
2

Get conditional approval

If your application is straightforward, we can often give a conditional approval³ on the spot (subject to eligibility and responsible lending inquiries). If we need more information, we’ll be in touch.
3

Start looking for a home!

A conditional approval gives you an idea of how much you can borrow, based on conditions and responsible lending inquiries. With this you can start looking for a house that you could call home.

Speak to a Home Loan Expert.

Meet with an expert

Our Home Loan Experts can come to you, at a time and place that suits you best.

Find your local Home Loan Expert

Talk to an expert

Request a call back from a Home Loan Expert.

Schedule a call

Visit us

Make an appointment to talk to a Home Loan Expert in branch. 

Visit your nearest branch

Already bank with us? Apply online.

The fastest way for existing customers to apply for a home loan is in Westpac One® digital banking.

Apply now

The next steps.

Once you have a conditional approval there are a few key steps you'll need to take:

  • Find a house that you could call home
  • Do your homework: get builder and council reports, and a valuation
  • Arrange for a solicitor to handle the legal and financial details
  • Make your offer (this can be conditional or unconditional), or bid at auction. Learn more about the ways to buy.
  • Check the details and sign the sale and purchase agreement
  • Talk to us about the best way to structure for your new home loan, once your offer has gone unconditional, or you've bought at auction
  • Sign the home loan documents with your solicitor.
  • Book the movers
  • Pay the balance at settlement and move into your new home!
  • Check the details of your first home loan repayment. It's easiest to make sure your repayment dates coincide with your pay day.

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Things you should know.

1 Conditional approval requires a credit check, confirmation of the details provided in your application and responsible lending inquiries. Other conditions may also apply depending on the nature of your application.

Westpac's home loan lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. A low equity margin may apply.

Documents and fees

See the detailed terms and conditions, and fees, for our home loans:

View terms and conditions for all our home lending products here.