BOQ Home Loan Review 2026

BOQ and ME Bank belong to the same group, but their loans and lending rules are different.

Clear Path and Fixed Rate list no application fee. All 3 list a $150 settlement fee and 1 free valuation. The general fee guide also lists a $350 security release fee when a property is released. Other costs can apply to construction, extra valuations or legal work.

Rates depend on the product and your application. Compare a current written quote, including fees, rather than assuming the advertised offer applies to you. Figures were checked on 8 September 2026 and can change.

Clear Path allows 1 linked offset account per loan. The offset is available to personal borrowers, not company or trust borrowers. Economy and Fixed Rate do not offer an offset.

Redraw is different: it gives you access to eligible extra repayments you have already made into the loan. BOQ’s variable loans list free redraw with a $100 minimum.

For a standard BOQ Clear Path loan, LMI generally applies when you borrow more than 80% of the property value. We wouldn’t rely on a professional waiver to make your deposit work for Clear Path.

BOQ Specialist is a separate offer. It offers up to 90% without LMI for eligible doctors, dentists and vets. That can mean a 10% deposit plus buying costs, if you meet BOQ Specialist’s requirements and it approves your loan. Being an accountant or another professional does not automatically qualify you for this medical offer.

We can also compare professional LMI waivers at other lenders. We’ll compare how much cash you need upfront, the rate, repayments and fees.

BOQ’s appointment checklist asks for your last 2 years of personal tax returns and tax assessment notices. If your income comes through a company, partnership or trust, it also asks for business tax returns and accountant-prepared financial statements.

There is a timing catch: after 1 March, the checklist asks for the most recent financial year’s tax returns and financials. If your accountant has not finished them, speak with the bank before you commit to a purchase.

Loan-to-value ratio (LVR) is the loan as a share of the property’s value. A 90% LVR loan generally means 10% equity or deposit before buying costs. The maximum depends on the BOQ product and what you are doing.

Your income, living costs, existing debts and the property valuation also affect how much BOQ will lend. A lower valuation could leave you needing a bigger deposit. If you’re buying an unusual apartment or block of land, check that BOQ will accept the property before committing.

For Clear Path, LMI generally applies above 80% LVR unless a confirmed exception applies. Do not confuse a low-deposit loan with a no-LMI loan.

If you can’t apply through a broker or don’t have the income documents BOQ needs, we can compare other lenders. We’ll focus on what’s holding you back, whether that’s your deposit, how your business pays you or a feature you need.