What evidence do I need to show that I meet the skilled worker or qualification requirements?

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.

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?

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

I completed my qualification 10 years ago – am I still eligible?

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.

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

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.

Are police and emergency services recruits and trainees eligible?

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Are Australian Federal Police Officers and Police Auxiliary Officers eligible?

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.

Are volunteer emergency service members eligible?

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.

Can an apprentice get a home loan with Keystart?

Yes, o ur 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.

Your qualification could be the key to a home of your own.

With a low 2% deposit and a discounted rate, our Skilled Start Home Loan is helping make the dream of an affordable home a reality for more people.

	Low 2% deposit.
	Discounted rate.
	Own sooner.

If you’ve recently graduated, completed an apprenticeship, started working in the construction industry, or recently finished police or emergency services training, our Skilled Start Home Loan may be able to help you make home ownership a reality.

Like all Keystart loans, our Skilled Start Home Loan offers a low 2% deposit and we don't charge lender's mortgage insurance, saving you thousands. It also features a discounted interest rate*, and you'll have access to a free financial coaching service to help strengthen your financial confidence.

*Discount applies to Keystart's standard variable rate.

Find out how much you can borrow.

Owning your own home may be closer than you think. Tell us a bit about yourself to see what's possible.

Try our calculator

Could you be eligible for the Skilled Start Home Loan?

You may be eligible for Skilled Start if, within the last five years, you have:

graduated with a Certificate III or higher in any area of study,
started or completed a formal apprenticeship,
started working as a skilled worker in an eligible building or construction occupation (see full list of eligible occupations here) and are currently employed in that occupation,
completed training at the WA Police Academy or an equivalent Australian police academy and are currently employed in that field,
completed training with the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services or an equivalent Australian emergency services agency and are currently employed in that field, or
started a recognised recruit or trainee program with a police academy or emergency services agency.

Enquire online to connect with a member of our team who can discuss your eligibility with you.

Enquire now

Property purchase price caps

The maximum property purchase price for the Skilled Start Home Loan depends on whether you're buying an established home, or building a new home.

Type of home	Property purchase price cap
Established homes	$700,000
Off-the-plan, under construction and new homes	$750,000

Income limits

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Frequently asked questions

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 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 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.

Compare our home loans
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 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 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 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.

Compare our home loans
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 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.

Compare our home loans
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?