If saving the deposit is holding you back, or you’re buying a home with good energy features, Gateway is worth a closer look. I’d check whether the property or family guarantee fits first. Then we can see whether its rate and fees stack up. Gateway Bank is the customer owned bank formerly known as Gateway Credit Union.
Where Gateway is worth a closer look
- 01
Your home’s green features may qualify
You don’t necessarily need a brand new home. Gateway’s Green option has a route based on eligible existing features, while Green Plus requires a higher certified energy rating.
- 02
Family security can help with the deposit
Family Pledge can support eligible borrowing up to 105% of the purchase price, including buying costs. Your family provides security, and you still need to afford the repayments.
- 03
There are options for older homeowners
Gateway offers reverse mortgage lending as well as standard home loans. The right choice depends on whether you can make repayments and how much equity you want to keep.
Green or Green Plus: which could your home qualify for?
Gateway green loan eligibility
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| Option | How the property qualifies | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Green | An accepted Residential Efficiency Scorecard rating of 4 to 6.9, an accepted ACT equivalent, or a declaration confirming at least 3 of Gateway’s 12 listed features. | Check the exact feature list. Solar panels alone don’t establish eligibility. |
| Green Plus / Investor Green Plus | A NatHERS or Residential Efficiency Scorecard rating of at least 7 stars. | A declaration listing green features doesn’t replace the required rating. |
| Green Improvements | Eligible improvements completed within 12 months of funding. | Have a plan for the work and the evidence Gateway needs to confirm completion. |
NatHERS is the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme. A Residential Efficiency Scorecard assesses an existing home’s energy performance. Send through the report you have so we can check which option it fits.
How Gateway’s Family Pledge works
Family Pledge may let an eligible buyer borrow up to 105% of the purchase price by using additional family property as security. It can cover the purchase and some buying costs without the buyer providing the usual cash deposit.
Your guarantor’s income isn’t added to yours. You must be able to make the repayments yourself, and the bank checks whether there’s enough acceptable security across the properties.
- 01
You own the home you buy
You own the home you buy. Your family member provides extra property security through the guarantee.
- 02
Your family needs enough equity
Existing debt and guarantees against the pledged property matter. Gateway limits the debt secured against it and the share of its value that can be pledged.
- 03
The guarantee puts property at risk
If you can’t repay the loan, the guarantor can be required to pay under the guarantee. They need independent legal advice and a clear plan for eventually seeking release.
Our guarantor home loan guide explains the risks and release process. Compare the family security options in our Westpac review too. The amount your family needs to guarantee can differ between lenders.
How much deposit does Gateway need?
Gateway’s loan to value ratio (LVR) is the loan as a percentage of the property value it accepts. Eligible owner occupiers can borrow up to 95%, including lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). Investment loans are capped at 90%, including LMI.
Your deposit also depends on the product and postcode. Green and Green Plus have an 80% maximum. I’d check the home and loan first, then work out the deposit and buying costs you’ll need.
Gateway location and borrowing limits
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| Property or loan | Maximum borrowing | Main catch |
|---|---|---|
| Owner occupied, Category 1 | 95%, including LMI | Any LMI added to the loan must fit inside the 95% limit, so you may need more than a 5% deposit plus buying costs. |
| Investment, Category 1, principal and interest | 90%, including LMI | Any LMI added to the loan must fit inside the 90% limit, so you may need more than a 10% deposit plus buying costs. |
| Interest only, Category 1 | 90%, including LMI | A larger deposit is needed than on the maximum principal and interest option. |
| Category 2 property | 80% | A roughly 20% deposit or equity is needed before costs. |
| Category 3 property | 70% | A roughly 30% deposit or equity is needed before costs. |
Gateway doesn’t have a professional LMI waiver. If your occupation could qualify elsewhere, compare that option before paying an insurance premium. Family security and government backed schemes have their own rules and should be considered separately.
Start with our LMI waiver guide and NAB review if you’re an eligible professional. Our 5% Deposit Scheme guide explains how government support differs from a professional waiver.
Check your deposit and lender options before you apply
Self employed income and credit history
Gateway needs full income records. It doesn’t offer a general low-doc or alt-doc home loan. But “full documents” doesn’t always mean you must have run the same business for 2 complete years.
Some applicants with at least 1 year in business and relevant previous industry experience can be considered. More limited exceptions may be available before a full financial year is complete, with supporting employment history and accountant information. The figures still need to support the repayments.
If you’re early in business, compare the evidence needed across lenders using our self employed home loans guide. I’d check which lenders can use the records you have before deciding to wait another year.
Products, offsets and fees
Gateway products and fees (fee schedule effective 1 July 2026)
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| Product | Useful features | Main catch |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Package | 100% offset on the eligible variable portion, extra repayments and online redraw. | $299 a year. No standard establishment or lender legal fee; extra legal work can cost more. Fixed loan restrictions apply. |
| Green / Green Plus | Green home pricing and offset features on eligible loans. | $299 a year. No standard establishment or lender legal fee; extra legal work can cost more. Your home must meet the product’s requirements. |
| Low Rate Essentials | No annual package fee. | No offset. No establishment fee, but a $275 lender legal fee applies, with extra charges for additional legal work. |
| Construction | Funding for eligible builds, up to 90% LVR. | Owner builder and secondary dwelling construction aren’t accepted. |
| Reverse mortgage | Access to some home equity for eligible older homeowners. | Interest adds to the debt if you don’t make repayments, reducing the equity left over time. |
Premium Package, Green, Green Plus and Low Rate Essentials cover valuation costs up to $325 per application. You pay any amount above that. These concessions cover the lender’s listed costs; you still need to allow for your own solicitor and government charges.
Gateway also charges $300 per property to discharge the mortgage when you pay out the loan or switch lenders. Leaving a fixed rate early may add break costs. I’d include those amounts in the comparison before deciding that a lower rate is a better deal.
Our offset account guide explains when an offset is worth paying for. If you’re considering a reverse mortgage, read MoneySmart’s guide to equity release and get advice on the long term effect on your home equity and finances.
Applying to Gateway: documents and timing
Expect the loan and membership forms, identification, recent payslips or business financials, bank statements, details of your debts and the property contract or refinance information. A green loan or Family Pledge needs extra evidence specific to that option.
Gateway’s broker website lists a 2 day service estimate for unconditional approval when all the information is complete and accurate. I’d confirm the current queue before agreeing to a finance deadline. A valuation, guarantee or missing records can add time, and you still need to allow for loan documents and settlement.
Our view on Gateway
I’d start with Gateway when its green loan or family guarantee could solve something specific for you. If neither applies, compare its ordinary loan on rate, fees and offset access.
We’ll confirm whether we can arrange a Gateway application before recommending it. If we can’t, we can compare suitable options from the lenders we work with.
Experience and sources
How this guide was checked
We checked Gateway’s public fee schedule, product summary, Family Pledge calculator and broker service estimates on 11 September 2026. The borrowing limits shown follow its published product summary. Detailed income, credit and location criteria also draw on information supplied to brokers.
Read Jayden's experience and qualifications. Hunter Galloway Finance Pty Ltd is Credit Representative 476903, authorised under Australian Credit Licence 389328.
Sources
- Gateway home loan fees (effective 1 July 2026)
- Gateway home loan product summary
- Gateway Family Pledge calculator
- Gateway broker resources and lending options
- Gateway current service estimates
- MoneySmart: reverse mortgages and home equity release
- Hunter Galloway Credit Guide
- How Hunter Galloway reviews lenders
Rates, fees and lending rules can change. All lending is subject to Gateway’s assessment and credit approval. A guarantee can put the guarantor’s property at risk.
More help with your decision
- Home loan guide
Guarantor home loans
Understand family security and the risks involved.
Read guide - Home loan guide
Self employed home loans
Compare the records different lenders need.
Read guide - Lender review
NAB home loan review
Compare deposit and professional LMI options.
Read review - Lender review
Westpac home loan review
Compare family security and income options.
Read review
Gateway Bank home loan FAQs
Our Brisbane mortgage brokers can compare Gateway with other lenders and confirm which options we can arrange for you.
Find out which option fits your home and deposit
Send us your price range, deposit and any green rating report. If you’re considering a family guarantee, tell us the property value and mortgage balance too. We’ll check the options before you commit to an application.
or call 1300 088 065
General information only. Loans are subject to lender criteria and credit approval. Rates, fees and lending rules can change.
