Frequently Asked Questions
To learn more about the lender panel expansion and to help you find the information you need easily, we've compiled answers to some of the most commonly asked questions below.
Housing Australia is looking to expand its panel of Participating Lenders for both the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme (5% Deposit Scheme) and the Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme. The process allows eligible applicants to be considered for inclusion in one or both of the Lender Panels.
Applications are open to authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) and non-bank lenders that meet the requirements as outlined in the RFP documentation. Lenders do not need to be part of the 5% Deposit Scheme lender panel to apply for the Help to Buy lender panel. New lenders are welcome to apply.
Existing 5% Deposit Scheme panel lenders are not required to reapply. However, if you are a current 5% Deposit Scheme lender and wish to become a Help to Buy lender, you will need to submit a separate application.
To request the RFP documentation, email housingaustraliapanel@housingaustralia.gov.au with full contact details, including email and telephone details of the contact officer/s. Please indicate if you are applying to be a panel lender for:
- only the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, or
- only the Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme, or
- both the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme and the Australian Government Help to Buy Scheme.
Registered contact officers will receive notifications from Housing Australia throughout the RFP process.
Representatives should be authorised by their organisation and belong to a relevant business unit - such as residential mortgage lending, home loan finance, or consumer lending procurement. You should carefully consider all Scheme requirements in the RFP documentation before making an application, including the date that you will need to be ready commence as a lender for the relevant scheme/s should you be successful.
RFP submissions must be received by 5:00 pm AEDT on 28 November 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Once you submit your proposal, you will receive an acknowledgement email confirming receipt from Housing Australia and the Information Pack.
Housing Australia will then assess all submissions in accordance with the RFP evaluation process and may contact Respondents to request clarification or additional information, if required. Following the evaluation, Respondents will be notified of the outcome and next steps in writing.
Lenders will receive an Information Pack outlining the required documentation.
Responses must be emailed to housingaustraliapanel@housingaustralia.gov.au by the deadline.
Please ensure that your application is final and complete before submitting.
Resubmitted applications received before the cut-off date will be considered at the discretion of Housing Australia.
Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria and evaluation methodology set out in Housing Australia’s evaluation plan. Housing Australia will assess each Respondent’s ability to support successful delivery of the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme and/or Help to Buy Scheme, including by taking into account such matters as a Participating Lenders risk management and oversight arrangements, customer care arrangements and distribution channels. The evaluation approach is designed to ensure a fair, transparent and merit-based assessment process.
Proposals will be reviewed by an evaluation panel established by Housing Australia as well as the Scheme’s Program Leads, with support from subject matter experts and independent probity oversight, as required. The panel will assess submissions against the RFP evaluation criteria and make recommendations for approval by the Housing Australia Board through Housing Australia’s governance processes.
Housing Australia aims to notify applicants in writing following completion of the evaluation process. Timeframes will be included in the Information Pack.
Housing Australia may share general information about your application, including its status or progress, with the Australian Government.
Information provided as part of your submission is collected for the purpose of assessing your RFP response, and will not be shared outside of Housing Australia . Access to your application will be limited to Housing Australia staff with specific roles as part of the RFP process including the contact officer and evaluation panel.
For any questions please email: housingaustraliapanel@housingaustralia.gov.au