Skilled Start Home Loan

Skilled Start Home Loan FAQs

• Q Are police and emergency services recruits and trainees eligible?
  A

  Yes, you may be eligible if you're currently undertaking a recognised recruit or trainee program through:

  • the WA Police Academy or an equivalent Australian police academy, or
  • the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services or an equivalent Australian emergency services agency.

  If you're employed in a paid recruit or trainee role, you may be eligible even if you haven't yet completed your training.

• Q Are all job roles in the police force or emergency services agencies eligible?
  A

  No, not all job roles in these fields are eligible. This pathway is open to applicants who have completed recognised recruit training through the WA Police Academy, the 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 working in HR, finance, ICT or administration, are generally not eligible under this pathway, as eligibility is based on undertaking or completing recognised police or emergency services recruit training. However, if your role required you to complete a Certificate III or higher qualification within the last five years, you may still be eligible under the Skilled Start Home Loan graduate pathway. You may also be eligible for another Keystart home loan.

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• Q Are volunteer emergency service members eligible?
  A

  No, volunteer, honorary, or unpaid emergency service members are not eligible under this pathway. However, if you completed a Certificate III or higher qualification within the last five years, you may still be eligible under the Skilled Start Home Loan graduate pathway. You may also be eligible for another Keystart home loan.

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• Q Are Australian Federal Police Officers and 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, are currently employed as an Australian Federal Police Officer or Police Auxiliary Officer, and currently live or plan to live in Western Australia, you may be eligible.

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

  Yes, you may be eligible to apply if you completed recognised training through a Australian police academy or fire and emergency services agency within the last five years, currently live or plan to live in Western Australia, and are employed in a paid operational policing or emergency services role.

• Q Can an apprentice get a home loan with Keystart?
  A

  Yes, our Skilled Start Home Loan is available to eligible applicants who are currently undertaking a formal apprenticeship or have completed one within the last five years.

  How much you can borrow depends on your income, expenses and financial situation. Try our borrowing calculator to find out how much you may be able to borrow from Keystart.

  How much can I borrow?
• Q I completed my qualification 10 years ago – am I still eligible?
  A

  No, if you completed your training or qualification more than five years ago, or started your employment more than five years ago, you won’t be eligible for the Skilled Start Home Loan. You may, however, be eligible for another Keystart home loan.

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• Q Are there any restrictions on the type of property I can purchase?
  A

  The Skilled Start home loan is available for a wide range of property types, including standalone houses, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, quadruplexes, villas, units and apartments. Properties can be purchased on the open market and can be located anywhere in Western Australia.

  Please note that property purchase price caps vary depending on whether the home is established, off-the-plan (not yet built), under construction or newly built. The price cap is $700,000 for established properties and $750,000 for off-the-plan, under-construction and newly built homes.

  Check out our guide to building or buying an existing home to learn more about the options available to you.

  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/s, or that prove you work in an eligible occupation. We’ll go through the requirements with you as you progress through the application process.

  Examples of evidence include:

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

  All documents must be dated within the last five years. Refer to the Build a Life in WA initiative for the full list of eligible 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 recent qualification, but I don't. Do we both need to meet the eligibility criteria to apply as a couple?
  A

  No, when applying as a couple, if one applicant satisfies the occupation/qualification criteria and the other doesn't, you may still be eligible.
  

• 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?