Commercial disclosure
Illawarra Credit Union
Illawarra Credit Union has been serving the Illawarra region since 1972. It is community focused and aims to help members map and achieve their financial strategy. Customers of Illawarra Credit Union must also become a member of the union and therefore have a say in how it is run. One of the main points of difference here is that Illawarra’s profits are reinvested into the business, unlike the major banks where the profits go to the shareholders.
Illawarra offers a full range of financial products and services, including:
- Home loans.
- Personal loans.
- Savings accounts.
- Everyday transaction accounts.
- Term deposits.
- Business banking solutions.
Illawarra Credit Union Home Loan Calculator
Interested in a Illawarra home loan? RateCity has a suite of calculators that can show you what your repayments would be and how Illawarra compares to its competitors. Simply plug in your borrowing amount below.
Pros and cons
- Competitive rates, especially for larger variable loans.
- Flexible fixed and variable loan features.
- No annual fees on fixed or variable loans.
- Additional repayments allowed.
- Limited home loan products from which to choose.
- Limited branch access.
- No mobile phone app.
Owner occupied products interest rates
| Loan type | Principal & Interest rate | Interest Only |
|---|---|---|
1 Year Bare Essentials Fixed (Min Deposit 5%) | n/a | 2.8% p.a. 2.66% p.a. Comparison rate |
The Works Package (Min Deposit 20%) | 2.5% p.a. 3.01% p.a. Comparison rate | 2.5% p.a. 3.01% p.a. Comparison rate |
1 Year The Works Package Fixed (Min Deposit 20%) | 2.59% p.a. 3.67% p.a. Comparison rate | 2.5% p.a. 3.01% p.a. Comparison rate |
1 Year Fixed Home Loan (Min Deposit 5%) | 2.69% p.a. 3.61% p.a. Comparison rate | 3.95% p.a. 3.72% p.a. Comparison rate |
2 Year Fixed Home Loan (Min Deposit 5%) | 2.79% p.a. 3.54% p.a. Comparison rate | 3.89% p.a. 3.74% p.a. Comparison rate |
3 Year Fixed Home Loan (Min Deposit 5%) | 2.79% p.a. 3.47% p.a. Comparison rate | 3.89% p.a. 3.76% p.a. Comparison rate |
5 Year Fixed Home Loan (Min Deposit 5%) | 3.14% p.a. 3.49% p.a. Comparison rate | 4.09% p.a. 3.87% p.a. Comparison rate |
Bare Essentials (Min Deposit 5%) | 2.59% p.a. 2.64% p.a. Comparison rate | 3.85% p.a. 3.9% p.a. Comparison rate |
Variable Home Loan (Min Deposit 5%) | 3.64% p.a. 3.69% p.a. Comparison rate | 4% p.a. 4.05% p.a. Comparison rate |
Bare Essentials First Home Owners (Min Deposit 5%) | 2.45% p.a. 2.5% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
3 Year Bare Essentials (Min Deposit 5%) | 2.4% p.a. 2.6% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
1 Year Bare Essentials (Min Deposit 5%) | 2.65% p.a. 2.65% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
2 Year Bare Essentials (Min Deposit 5%) | 2.65% p.a. 2.65% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
5 Year Bare Essentials (Min Deposit 5%) | 3.04% p.a. 2.82% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
3 Year The Works Package Fixed (Min Deposit 20%) | 2.35% p.a. 2.98% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
2 Year The Works Package Fixed Special Owner Occupier (Min Deposit 20%) | 1.99% p.a. 2.93% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
The Works Package OO Variable Special (2 year Intro) (Min Deposit 20%) | 1.99% p.a. 2.93% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
2 Year The Works Package Fixed (Min Deposit 20%) | 2.29% p.a. 2.98% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
5 Year The Works Package Fixed (Min Deposit 20%) | 2.74% p.a. 3.11% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
Investment purpose products interest rates
| Loan type | Principal & Interest rate | Interest Only |
|---|---|---|
3 Year Bare Essentials Investor Fixed (Min Deposit 5%) | 2.65% p.a. 3.12% p.a. Comparison rate | 2.65% p.a. 3.12% p.a. Comparison rate |
2 Year Bare Essentials Investor Fixed (Min Deposit 5%) | 2.75% p.a. 3.17% p.a. Comparison rate | 2.75% p.a. 3.17% p.a. Comparison rate |
1 Year Bare Essentials Investor Fixed (Min Deposit 5%) | 2.85% p.a. 3.21% p.a. Comparison rate | 2.85% p.a. 3.21% p.a. Comparison rate |
5 Year Bare Essentials Fixed (Min Deposit 5%) | n/a | 3.55% p.a. 3.39% p.a. Comparison rate |
3 Year The Works Package Investor Fixed (Min Deposit 20%) | 2.55% p.a. 3.6% p.a. Comparison rate | 2.65% p.a. 3.63% p.a. Comparison rate |
2 Year The Works Package Investor Fixed (Min Deposit 20%) | 2.59% p.a. 3.67% p.a. Comparison rate | 2.64% p.a. 3.68% p.a. Comparison rate |
1 Year The Works Package Investor Fixed (Min Deposit 20%) | n/a | 2.85% p.a. 3.75% p.a. Comparison rate |
5 Year The Works Package Investor Fixed (Min Deposit 20%) | 3.09% p.a. 3.71% p.a. Comparison rate | 3.24% p.a. 3.77% p.a. Comparison rate |
The Works Package Investor (Min Deposit 20%) | 3.3% p.a. 3.79% p.a. Comparison rate | 3.3% p.a. 3.79% p.a. Comparison rate |
Bare Essentials INV Variable (IO) (Min Deposit 5%) | n/a | 3.85% p.a. 3.9% p.a. Comparison rate |
3 Year Fixed Invest Home Loan (Min Deposit 5%) | 3.75% p.a. 4.21% p.a. Comparison rate | 3.78% p.a. 4.22% p.a. Comparison rate |
5 Year Fixed Invest Home Loan (Min Deposit 5%) | 4.18% p.a. 4.3% p.a. Comparison rate | 3.99% p.a. 4.23% p.a. Comparison rate |
2 Year Fixed Invest Home Loan (Min Deposit 5%) | 3.8% p.a. 4.26% p.a. Comparison rate | 3.85% p.a. 4.27% p.a. Comparison rate |
1 Year Fixed Invest Home Loan (Min Deposit 5%) | 3.75% p.a. 4.3% p.a. Comparison rate | 3.99% p.a. 4.32% p.a. Comparison rate |
Variable Invest Loan (Min Deposit 5%) | n/a | 4.4% p.a. 4.45% p.a. Comparison rate |
The Works Package Inv Variable Special (2 year Intro) (Min Deposit 20%) | 2.99% p.a. 2.93% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
Bare Essentials INV Variable (P&I) (Min Deposit 5%) | 3.19% p.a. 3.24% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
5 Year Bare Essentials Investor Fixed (Min Deposit 5%) | 3.55% p.a. 3.39% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
4 Year The Works Package Investor Fixed (Min Deposit 20%) | 3.09% p.a. 3.72% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
1 Year The Works Package Investor (Min Deposit 20%) | 2.85% p.a. 3.75% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
Variable Invest Home Loan (Min Deposit 5%) | 4.3% p.a. 4.35% p.a. Comparison rate | n/a |
Home loan repayment calculator
Thinking about taking out a home loan with Illawarra Credit Union? Use our home loan calculator to see how much you’d have to repay under different borrowing scenarios. You can also see how Illawarra Credit Union home loans compare with other options.
Your estimated mortgage repayments
at interest rate 1.99%
Total interest payable
$0
Total loan repayments
$0
Contact a mortgage broker
Illawarra Credit Union homeloans are vailable through brokers who can help find the right loan and manage your application at no charge.
Illawarra Credit Union customer service
Illawarra Credit Union has a limited branch network in the NSW Illawarra region, south of Sydney. You can call the credit union from Monday to Friday, as well as Saturday, or email them directly. You also have the option of online banking to have 24/7 access to your money.
- Customer service centre (phone)
- Online banking
- NSW branches
- Mobile lenders
How to Apply
Illawarra Credit Union allows you to apply online for a home loan or you can request that a mobile banker contact you, or you can visit a branch. But first, you must become a member, which is easy. You’ll need to provide a member share contribution of $2 so you can become a shareholder of the credit union. You’ll need to be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident to apply online. Documents you will need include:
- Personal identification material.
- Proof of income – whether you are self-employed or work for an employer.
- Proof of other income, including rental income.
- Information regarding your current debts, liabilities and assets.
Learn more about home loans
When does Commonwealth Bank charge an early exit fee?
When you take out a fixed interest home loan with the Commonwealth Bank, you’re able to lock the interest for a particular period. If the rates change during this period, your repayments remain unchanged. If you break the loan during the fixed interest period, you’ll have to pay the Commonwealth Bank home loan early exit fee and an administrative fee.
The Early Repayment Adjustment (ERA) and Administrative fees are applicable in the following instances:
- If you switch your loan from fixed interest to variable rate
- When you apply for a top-up home loan
- If you repay over and above the annual threshold limit, which is $10,000 per year during the fixed interest period
- When you prepay the entire outstanding loan balance before the end of the fixed interest duration.
The fee calculation depends on the interest rates, the amount you’ve repaid and the loan size. You can contact the lender to understand more about what you may have to pay.
Cash or mortgage – which is more suitable to buy an investment property?
Deciding whether to buy an investment property with cash or a mortgage is a matter or personal choice and will often depend on your financial situation. Using cash may seem logical if you have the money in reserve and it can allow you to later use the equity in your home. However, there may be other factors to think about, such as whether there are other debts to pay down and whether it will tie up all of your spare cash. Again, it’s a personal choice and may be worth seeking personal advice.
A mortgage is a popular option for people who don’t have enough cash in the bank to pay for an investment property. Sometimes when you take out a mortgage you can offset your loan interest against the rental income you may earn. The rental income can also help to pay down the loan.
What are the features of home loans for expats from Westpac?
If you’re an Australian citizen living and working abroad, you can borrow to buy a property in Australia. With a Westpac non-resident home loan, you can borrow up to 80 per cent of the property value to purchase a property whilst living overseas. The minimum loan amount for these loans is $25,000, with a maximum loan term of 30 years.
The interest rates and other fees for Westpac non-resident home loans are the same as regular home loans offered to borrowers living in Australia. You’ll have to submit proof of income, six-month bank statements, an employment letter, and your last two payslips. You may also be required to submit a copy of your passport and visa that shows you’re allowed to live and work abroad.
Why does Westpac charge an early termination fee for home loans?
The Westpac home loan early termination fee or break cost is applicable if you have a fixed rate home loan and repay part of or the whole outstanding amount before the fixed period ends. If you’re switching between products before the fixed period ends, you’ll pay a switching break cost and an administrative fee.
The Westpac home loan early termination fee may not apply if you repay an amount below the prepayment threshold. The prepayment threshold is the amount Westpac allows you to repay during the fixed period outside your regular repayments.
Westpac charges this fee because when you take out a home loan, the bank borrows the funds with wholesale rates available to banks and lenders. Westpac will then work out your interest rate based on you making regular repayments for a fixed period. If you repay before this period ends, the lender may incur a loss if there is any change in the wholesale rate of interest.
How can I get a home loan with bad credit?
If you want to get a home loan with bad credit, you need to convince a lender that your problems are behind you and that you will, indeed, be able to repay a mortgage.
One step you might want to take is to visit a mortgage broker who specialises in bad credit home loans (also known as ‘non-conforming home loans’ or ‘sub-prime home loans’). An experienced broker will know which lenders to approach, and how to plead your case with each of them.
Two points to bear in mind are:
- Many home loan lenders don’t provide bad credit mortgages
- Each lender has its own policies, and therefore favours different things
If you’d prefer to directly approach the lender yourself, you’re more likely to find success with smaller non-bank lenders that specialise in bad credit home loans (as opposed to bigger banks that prefer ‘vanilla’ mortgages). That’s because these smaller lenders are more likely to treat you as a unique individual rather than judge you according to a one-size-fits-all policy.
Lenders try to minimise their risk, so if you want to get a home loan with bad credit, you need to do everything you can to convince lenders that you’re safer than your credit history might suggest. If possible, provide paperwork that shows:
- You have a secure job
- You have a steady income
- You’ve been reducing your debts
- You’ve been increasing your savings
Are bad credit home loans dangerous?
Bad credit home loans can be dangerous if the borrower signs up for a loan they’ll struggle to repay. This might occur if the borrower takes out a mortgage at the limit of their financial capacity, especially if they have some combination of a low income, an insecure job and poor savings habits.
Bad credit home loans can also be dangerous if the borrower buys a home in a stagnant or falling market – because if the home has to be sold, they might be left with ‘negative equity’ (where the home is worth less than the mortgage).
That said, bad credit home loans can work out well if the borrower is able to repay the mortgage – for example, if they borrow conservatively, have a decent income, a secure job and good savings habits. Another good sign is if the borrower buys a property in a market that is likely to rise over the long term.
What is a bad credit home loan?
A bad credit home loan is a mortgage for people with a low credit score. Lenders regard bad credit borrowers as riskier than ‘vanilla’ borrowers, so they tend to charge higher interest rates for bad credit home loans.
If you want a bad credit home loan, you’re more likely to get approved by a small non-bank lender than by a big four bank or another mainstream lender.
How do I apply for a home improvement loan?
When you want to renovate your home, you may need to take out a loan to cover the costs. You could apply for a home improvement loan, which is a personal loan that you use to cover the costs of your home renovations. There is no difference between applying for this type of home improvement loan and applying for a standard personal loan. It would be best to check and compare the features, fees and details of the loan before applying.
Besides taking out a home improvement loan, you could also:
- Use the equity in your house: Equity is the difference between your property’s value and the amount you still owe on your home loan. You may be able to access this equity by refinancing your home loan and then using it to finance your home improvement. Speak with your lender or a mortgage broker about accessing your equity.
- Utilise the redraw facility of your home loan: Check whether the existing home loan has a redraw facility. A redraw facility allows you to access additional funds you’ve repaid into your home loan. Some lenders offer this on variable rate home loans but not on fixed. If this option is available to you, contact your lender to discuss how to access it.
- Apply for a construction loan: A construction loan is typically used when constructing a new property but can also be used as a home renovation loan. You may find that a construction loan is a suitable option as it enables you to draw funds as your renovation project progresses. You can compare construction home loans online or speak to a mortgage broker about taking out such a loan.
- Look into government grants: Check whether there are any government grants offered when you need the funds and whether you qualify. Initiatives like the HomeBuilder Grant were offered by the Federal Government for a limited period until April 2021. They could help fund your renovations either in full or just partially.
Can I get a home renovation loan with bad credit?
If you're looking for funds to pay for repairs or renovations to your home, but you have a low credit score, you need to carefully consider your options. If you already have a mortgage, a good starting point is to check whether you can redraw money from that. You could also consider applying for a new home loan.
Before taking out a new loan, it’s good to note that lenders are likely to charge higher interest rates on home repair loans for bad credit customers. Alternatively, they may be willing to lend you a smaller amount than a standard loan. You may also face some challenges with getting your home renovation loan application approved. If you do run into trouble, you can speak to your lender and ask whether they would be willing to approve your application if you have a guarantor or co-signer. You should also explain the reasons behind your bad credit rating and the steps that you’re taking to improve it.
Consulting a financial advisor or mortgage broker can help you understand your options and make the right choice.
Can first home buyers apply for an ING home loan?
First home buyers can apply for an ING home loan, but first, they need to select the most suitable home loan product and calculate the initial deposit on their home loan.
First-time buyers can also use ING’s online tool to estimate the amount they can borrow. ING offers home loan applicants a free property report to look up property value estimates.
First home loan applicants struggling to understand the terms used may consider looking up ING’s first home buyer guide. Once the home buyer is ready to apply for the loan, they can complete an online application or call ING at 1800 100 258 during regular business hours.
How do I apply for Westpac’s first home buyer loan?
If you’re a first home buyer looking to apply for a home loan with Westpac, they offer an online home loan application. They suggest the application can be completed in about 20 minutes. Based on the information you provide, Westpac will advise you the amount you can borrow and the costs associated with any possible home loan.
You can use Westpac’s online mortgage calculators to estimate your borrowing power. You can also work out the time it might take to save up for the deposit, and the size of your home loan repayments.
When applying for a home loan with Westpac, you’re assigned a home finance manager who can address your concerns and provide information. The manager will also offer guidance on any government grants you may be eligible for.
How can I qualify for a joint home loan if my partner has bad credit?
As a couple, it's entirely possible that the credit scores of you and your partner could affect your financial future, especially if you apply for a joint home loan. When applying for a joint home loan, if one has bad credit, there may be steps that can help you to qualify even with bad credit, including:
- Saving for a higher deposit, ideally 20 per cent or more. Keep in mind: a borrowed amount of less than 80 per cent of the property value also saves the cost of Lender's Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
- Consistent employment records, regular savings habits, and an economical lifestyle can help prove financial stability and responsibility. These can improve your chances of approval even if there are some negative marks on a credit report.
- Delaying your decision to buy a property until your partner’s credit score improves. Alternatively, you may want to consider a solo application.
While these tips may assist, if you find this overwhelming, consider consulting an expert advisor who can offer personal guidance based on your financial situation.
Can I take a personal loan after a home loan?
Are you struggling to pay the deposit for your dream home? A personal loan can help you pay the deposit. The question that may arise in your mind is can I take a home loan after a personal loan, or can you take a personal loan at the same time as a home loan, as it is. The answer is that, yes, provided you can meet the general eligibility criteria for both a personal loan and a home loan, your application should be approved. Those eligibility criteria may include:
- Higher-income to show repayment capability for both the loans
- Clear credit history with no delays in bill payments or defaults on debts
- Zero or minimal current outstanding debt
- Some amount of savings
- Proven rent history will be positively perceived by the lenders
A personal loan after or during a home loan may impact serviceability, however, as the numbers can seriously add up. Every loan you avail of increases your monthly installments and the amount you use to repay the personal loan will be considered to lower the money available for the repayment of your home loan.
As to whether you can get a personal loan after your home loan, the answer is a very likely "yes", though it does come with a caveat: as long as you can show sufficient income to repay both the loans on time, you should be able to get that personal loan approved. A personal loan can also help to improve your credit score showing financial discipline and responsibility, which may benefit you with more favorable terms for your home loan.
How do you determine which home loan rates/products I’m shown?
When you check your home loan rate, you’ll supply some basic information about your current loan, including the amount owing on your mortgage and your current interest rate.
We’ll compare this information to the home loan options in the RateCity database and show you which home loan products you may be eligible to apply for.
How to apply for a pre-approval home loan from Bendigo Bank?
Applying for pre-approval on your home loan gives you confidence in your ability to secure finance while looking at potential new homes. You can get a free and personalised pre-approval home loan from Bendigo Bank in just a few minutes, without any credit checks or paperwork.
Bendigo Bank offers pre-approval for home loans that allow you to understand the home loan size you may be able to get before looking for a new home.
With the pre-approval, Bendigo Bank provides an estimate of your borrowing power. This figure incorporates stamp duty, lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) and any first home buyer incentives you may be eligible for. You may also qualify for the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme initiative, depending on your circumstances.
To apply for a pre-approval on your home loan from Bendigo Bank, all you need to do is fill in a smart form. You could also contact the bank directly on 1300 236 344.
