Home loan guide
Compare green home loans and upgrade finance. Check energy-rating requirements, lender eligibility, fees and how long a green discount lasts.
A green home loan may offer a discount when your property meets the lender's energy-efficiency rules. A green upgrade loan usually funds a specific purchase, such as solar panels or a battery.
I'd start with what you need to finance: the home itself, or an upgrade such as solar. Then I'd compare the full cost with an ordinary home loan or personal loan. An energy-efficient property does not qualify for every green offer.
A green home loan may offer an interest rate discount if the property meets the lender's energy-efficiency requirements. The lender usually needs evidence, such as an accepted rating or certificate.
The maximum loan-to-value ratio depends on the lender, property and your application. Energy efficiency does not automatically increase what you can borrow.
You may also qualify for government rebates or assistance for eligible upgrades. Check the rules for your state and equipment.
Read more: Home Loans Brisbane: The definitive guide
I'd separate the loan savings from the home's running costs. You need to check both before deciding whether the offer is worthwhile.
A green mortgage adds energy-efficiency requirements to the lender's usual property and borrowing checks. A regular home loan does not require the green certification, but the lender still needs to accept the property.
Lenders use their own certificate and property requirements. Check the criteria for the particular loan before assuming your home qualifies.
When comparing the options, check:
Check the fixed and variable options for the particular product you are considering.
Read more: Fixed interest rates
Ask the lender which certificates it accepts before paying for an assessment. Requirements differ by product and by property type. Its checklist may cover:
I'd confirm the requirements with the lender or broker before choosing a loan. A certificate that qualifies with one lender may not meet another lender's rules.
Read more: Upgrading your home
These lenders and products cover different needs, from buying an efficient home to financing solar. Product information was checked on 30 September 2026.
Use the linked lender pages for current pricing, then request a quote with the comparison rate and fees. The rate depends on the loan, deposit, security and your application.
Check to see if you are eligible for a home loan
CommBank's Green Loan is unavailable for new sales from 1 October 2025. Do not rely on its former Green Loan pricing when planning an upgrade.
Check CommBank's product notice and ask which current finance options apply to your project.
Ask loans.com.au whether a green discount is available for your purchase or build. Confirm its conditions before including the discount in your budget.
Compare the current loans.com.au home loans, including the comparison rate, fees and any conditions on energy-efficiency discounts.
Gateway has marketed Green and Green Plus home loans for properties that meet its energy-efficiency requirements. Ask the bank to confirm the current qualifying certificate, loan-to-value limit and discount for your property.
Check whether the offer covers a home you live in or an investment property, how long the discount lasts and what package fees apply.
Handy Finance Green Loans are personal loans for solar panels and batteries, rather than a mortgage to buy the home.
The published range is $2,001 to $75,000, with terms from 1 to 10 years and no monthly or early-repayment fees. Your actual rate and any upfront fees depend on the quote. Compare the total amount repaid over your chosen term.
Bank Australia's Clean Energy Home Loan New Build has separate eligibility paths for houses and apartments.
For a freestanding house, the published checklist includes an all-electric home, a NatHERS rating of at least 7.5 stars and rooftop solar. Check the full evidence requirements before paying for an assessment or choosing the loan.
The lender publishes options for owner-occupiers and investors making principal-and-interest repayments at up to 90% LVR. Confirm the current discount period, fees and rate after any discount ends.
The Regional Australia Bank Enviro Loan is a personal loan for eligible green purchases and improvements. It is not a mortgage to buy a home.
The lender lists secured and unsecured options, a minimum loan of $500 and a maximum term of 5 years. There is no monthly service fee, but an approval fee and other costs may apply. Check the current rate and comparison-rate assumptions for the security and term you choose.
Ask Firstmac whether it has a green discount for new applications. Confirm the rate and eligibility for your property before relying on it.
Use Firstmac's current product range and get written confirmation of any discount, certificate requirements and expiry date.
Would you like to learn about your situation?
NatHERS can be part of the evidence a green lender asks for. I'd check the required assessment and rating first, because there is no single qualifying score across all green loans.
The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) was introduced in 1993 and measures the energy efficiency of your home. It takes into account the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling your home. This is then used to give your home a rating between 0 and 10.
The thermal star rating assesses the building shell and heating and cooling needs. A separate Whole of Home assessment can include appliances, hot water and on-site energy generation. Check which evidence your lender needs.
According to the NatHERS website, your home's rating depends on how well these factors suit the local climate:
Read more: 16 hidden costs of buying a home in Brisbane
The design needs to suit your climate. Heating and cooling needs depend on the layout, materials, glazing and shading, so I would get an assessor involved before committing to changes.
Passive design uses the sun, shade and airflow to help heat and cool the home. You can consider it in a new build or renovation. The Australian Government provides free energy-efficient house designs as a starting point.
Some products accept investment properties. Bank Australia, for example, publishes investor options for its Clean Energy Home Loan New Build. Check the requirements for the product and property you are considering.
It depends on the product. A green mortgage may require whole-home certification and other features, while a green personal loan may specifically fund solar panels or a battery. Check the lender's requirements before ordering equipment.
If you refinance to another lender, your green home loan features or discounts may end. You'll need to check whether the new lender offers a green refinance option or requires a fresh energy-efficiency certificate to maintain the benefits.
Check the loan terms and speak to the lender before changes that could affect eligibility. Whether a discount continues depends on the product and the conditions you agreed to.
Adding solar does not automatically change your existing loan or qualify you for a green discount. Ask your lender what evidence it needs and whether a different product would be required. Compare the cost of switching before proceeding.
A certificate records the home as assessed. If you renovate or extend, ask the assessor whether you need an updated certificate and check what the lender will accept. The earlier assessment may not describe the altered property.
The product terms determine what happens. Confirm the proposed renovations with your lender and assessor before work starts; do not assume the discount will continue unchanged.
Before choosing a green loan, our team can help you compare it with other home loans you qualify for. Bring the property details and any energy certificate you already have.
Call 1300 088 065 or book a free assessment to compare your home loan options.
Product information checked 30 September 2026. Request current rates, comparison rates and full fees from the lender before applying.
Checked 30 September 2026.
