If home ownership feels out of reach, you're not alone.
Shared equity could be an option for you. A shared equity home loan refers to a loan with government contributing a share of your property's purchase price. This can boost your home-buying budget, while reducing the size of the loan you need to purchase the property.
Two government-backed shared equity options are currently available to eligible buyers in Western Australia:
- the WA State Government supported Keystart Urban Connect Shared Equity Home Loan and
- the Australian Federal Government Help to Buy Scheme.
This guide explains the key differences, including government contributions, deposit requirements, lenders, interest rates, income and property price limits, and property types.
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Keystart Urban Connect Shared Equity Home Loan
Our Urban Connect Shared Equity Home Loan is supported by the WA Government and is designed to help more Western Australians buy a home with lower upfront costs.
The Housing Authority co-owns a share of the property with you through a contribution towards the purchase price. This reduces the size of the loan you need to purchase the property. We have some eligibility criteria, including income limits and property price limits.
We’ve been offering shared equity home loans to Western Australians for over 35 years. Our local WA team is here to help you along your journey.
Key features include:
- The Housing Authority may contribute up to a maximum of 35%, or up to $250,000, towards the purchase price.
- Low 2% deposit based on your share.
- No lender's mortgage insurance.
- If eligible, you can use your first home owner grant (FHOG) towards your deposit if you build.
- Your local WA team is here to support you all the way through your home ownership journey.
- Free financial coaching to support your financial wellbeing.
- A customer app designed to help you know when you may be able to move on to another lender.
Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme
The Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme is a national shared equity scheme run by Housing Australia on behalf of the Australian Federal Government. You'll need to meet the Help to Buy eligibility criteria, including income limits, property price caps, citizenship requirements and owner-occupier requirements. You’ll also need to meet the lending criteria of the participating lender you apply with.
Key features include:
- Minimum deposit of 2% of the home purchase price.
- No lender's mortgage insurance.
- Your home loan must be obtained through a participating lender.
- Australian Government may contribute up to 30% for existing homes or up to 40% for new homes.
How do these two options compare?
Property price limits and income limits can change over time. Keystart property price limits are reviewed periodically against annualised median house price data sourced by REIWA, so it’s important to check the latest limits before applying. See our Keystart Urban Connect Shared Equity Home Loan page for up-to-date property price limits.
You can visit the Help to Buy Scheme for the most up-to-date information.
The following figures are correct as at May 2026.
Keystart Urban Connect Shared Equity | Help to Buy Scheme | |
| Maximum property price limits | Perth metro: $800,000 Regional WA: $800,000 | Perth metro: $850,000 Regional WA: $600,000 |
| Maximum income limits | $128,000 per year for singles $197,000 per year for couples or families | $100,000 per year for singles $160,000 per year for couples or single parents |
| Deposit | Low 2% deposit | Minimum deposit of 2% |
| Lender | Keystart | Apply through a participating lender, such as a bank or other approved home loan provider |
| Lender's mortgage insurance | No charge | No charge |
| Interest rate | Variable - will change over time | Variable - rates may vary depending on the lender |
| Property types | Off-the-plan, under construction or newly built apartment, townhouse, villa or unit New build on land with a green title with a maximum land size of up to:
New build on land with a built or survey strata title with no land size restriction | New or existing home, including a house, townhouse, apartment, unit or duplex Vacant block of land for the construction of a new home, or a property that is being demolished and rebuilt Off-the-plan property, provided it meets Help to Buy timing and settlement requirements |
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Explore your options
Buying a home is a big step, and it can help to understand your options before you apply. It’s important to understand how each shared equity arrangement works before applying. You may also want to speak with a home loan specialist, a participating lender, or a financial adviser to help you make an informed decision.
If you would like a clearer picture of what may work for your situation, a good place to start is our Do I Qualify? tool to check your eligibility.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for general use only and is subject to change. Keystart recommends that you seek your own independent legal and financial advice before considering whether to act or rely upon the information in this article. Target Market Determinations (TMDs) for all Keystart loan products are available on our website.
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