Skilled Start Home Loan

Skilled Start Home Loan FAQs

• Q Are police recruits and trainees eligible?
  A

  Yes. If you are currently undertaking a recognised recruit or trainee program through the WA Police Academy or an equivalent Australian police academy and are employed in a paid recruit or trainee role, you may be eligible even if you have not yet completed your training.

• Q Are emergency services recruits and trainees eligible?
  A

  Yes. If you are currently undertaking a recognised recruit or trainee program through the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services or an equivalent Australian Emergency Services Agency and are employed in a paid recruit or trainee role, you may be eligible.

• Q Are Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers eligible?
  A

  Yes. If you completed recognised police academy training within the last five years and are currently employed in a paid operational policing role in Western Australia, you may be eligible.

• Q Are all employees of a police force or emergency services agency eligible?
  A

  This pathway is open to applicants who have completed recognised recruit training through the WA Police Academy, WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services or an equivalent Australian agency, or who are currently enrolled in such a program. 

  Non-operational staff such as those in HR, finance, ICT or administration are generally not eligible under this pathway, as eligibility is based on completing recognised police academy or emergency services recruit training.

  However, you may be eligible for the Skilled Start Home Loan if you have completed a Certificate III or above qualification. There may also be other home loan options that might suit you. 

  Compare our home loans
• Q Are volunteer emergency service members eligible?
  A

  No. Volunteer, honorary or unpaid emergency service members are not eligible under this pathway.

  There may be other home loan options that might be suitable for you. 

  Compare our home loans
• Q Are Police Auxiliary Officers eligible?
  A

  Yes. If you completed recognised training through the WA Police Academy or an equivalent Australian police academy within the last five years and are currently employed in that role, you may be eligible.

• Q Are graduates of the interstate fire and emergency services agencies eligible?
  A

  Yes. If you completed recognised training from an equivalent Australian Fire and Emergency Services Agency within the last five years and are currently employed in a paid operational emergency services role, you can apply. To be eligible, you’ll also need to be living, or planning to live, in Western Australia. 

• Q Are graduates of interstate police academies eligible?
  A

  Yes. If you completed recognised training from an equivalent Australian police academy within the last five years, are currently living, or planning to live, in Western Australia and are employed in a paid operational policing role, you are eligible to apply.

• Q Can an apprentice get a home loan?
  A

  Yes. If you are currently undertaking a formal apprenticeship, or completed one within the past five years, you may be eligible for an apprentice home loan through Keystart’s Skilled Start Home Loan.

  At least one applicant must meet the apprenticeship or qualification criteria if applying as a couple or family. You will still need to meet income and property price limits.

  Do you qualify for a home loan
• Q I completed my qualifications 10 years ago - am I still eligible for the Skilled Start Home Loan?
  A

  The Skilled Start Home Loan supports people at the early stages of their career. To be eligible, you need to have, within the last five years:

  • started, or completed a formal apprenticeship,
  • graduated with a Certificate III or higher (Certificate IV, Diploma, Bachelor or higher qualification) in any area of study,
  • started working in an eligible building and construction occupation, supported by documentation such as a white card or similar,
  • completed training at the WA Police Academy or an equivalent Australian police academy and be currently employed in that field,
  • completed training with the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services or an equivalent Australian Emergency Services agency and be currently employed in that field, or
  • started a recognised recruit or trainee program with a Police Academy or Emergency Services Agency.

  If your training or qualification was completed more than five years ago, or your employment start date was more than five years ago, you won't be eligible for this loan. However, there may be other home loan options that might suit you. 

  Compare our home loans
• Q Are there any restrictions on the type of property that I can purchase?
  A

  You can purchase any type of property available on the open market anywhere in Western Australia.  

  There are different price limits though. Our property purchased price limit is set to $700,000 for an established property and $750,000 for an off-the-plan build (not yet built), under construction home or a new home. 

  Build or buy an existing home
• Q What evidence do I need to show that I meet the skilled worker or qualification requirements?
  A

  You’ll need documents that show your qualification or that you work in an eligible occupation. We’ll go through that with you as you start an application. Examples of acceptable evidence include:

  • certificates from a registered training organisation (RTO), such as TAFE or university,
  • trade certificates or white cards, or
  • high-risk licenses.

  All documents must be dated within the last five years. Refer to Build a Life in WA initiative for a full list of approved skilled workers in building and construction occupations. 

• Q Is the interest rate the same as Keystart’s Low Deposit Home Loan?
  A

  Skilled Start Home Loan interest rate offers a discount on Keystart’s standard variable interest rate. 
• Q My partner is a skilled worker or has a qualification, but I do not. Do we both need to meet the occupation/qualification criteria?
  A

  When applying as a couple, if one applicant satisfies the occupation or qualification criteria, you both may be eligible for the Skilled Start Home Loan. 

• Q Can I apply for a Skilled Start Home Loan?
  A

   

  To apply for the Skilled Start Home Loan, you need to have, within the last five years:

  • started or completed a formal apprenticeship,
  • graduated with a Certificate III or higher (Certificate IV, Diploma, Bachelor or higher qualification) in any area of study,
  • started working in an eligible building and construction occupation, supported by documentation such as a white card or similar,
  • completed training at the WA Police Academy or an equivalent Australian police academy and be currently employed in that field,
  • completed training with the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services or an equivalent Australian Emergency Services agency and be currently employed in that field, or started a recognised recruit or trainee program with a Police Academy or Emergency Services Agency.
• Q Other than the deposit, what other costs are there?
  A

  Some of the other upfront costs you may incur when buying a home include application fees, legal or conveyancing fees, transfer fees, government stamp duty, inspection fees (building or termite), settlement agent fees, building insurance and water or shire rates. 

  You may also need to consider your moving costs if you need to hire a truck or removalists. If you're a first home buyer and you're thinking of building a new home, you may be eligible for the  first home owner grant. 

  Costs and benefits of buying a home
• Q Do I have to be employed to get a loan?
  A

  Yes, you do need to have a stable income or regular employment for at least six months. 

  Keystart accepts some Centrelink benefits as income, but your total income affects the amount you will be able to borrow.

  How much can I borrow?