Almost 69,000 Aussies have received hardship assistance since 8 July this year, including more than 27,000 home loan deferrals and more than 4,000 business loan deferrals.

Comparatively, this is just 12,000 more hardship assistance approvals since last month, the smallest increase since the banking industry announced a second COVID-19 package of assistance in July this year.

ABA data was collected from three major banks as well as Bendigo Bank. 

This comes as welcome news after APRA data showed there was $11.9 billion worth of loans deferred at the end of August - up from $5.6 billion in July.

However, this pales in comparison to mid-2020 when upwards of one in ten residential home loans were deferred, amounting to $195 billion.

Hardship approvals.JPG

Source: ABA

ABA chief Anna Bligh said while the data shows people still require assistance, it is reassuring to see people are getting back on their feet.

"Banks have been on-hand to assist their customers throughout the pandemic, however it’s heartening to see the need for assistance declining as many States and Territories come out of lockdown and as borders begin to open," Ms Bligh said.

"The majority of hardship approvals came from customers in NSW and Victoria, which is obviously no surprise given the recent lockdowns, however we did see thousands of customers across the rest of Australia seek support and talk to their bank."

Outstanding hardship and deferred loans. 

Hardship approvals Deferred business loans Deferred home loans
ACT 1,085 59 372
NSW 35,972 2,859 17,993
NT 309 6 36
QLD 7,937 231 1,511
SA 2,503 47 515
TAS 703 27 46
VIC 15,907 995 6,560
WA 3,122 38 228
TOTAL 68,981 4,285 27,439

Source: ABA

High LVR a trigger for deferrals

According to APRA data, loans with a loan to value ratio (LVR) of 90% or higher represent 5% of the total market. 

However they represent 8% of deferred home loans. 

Across the ditch, New Zealand has already tightened high-LVR lending. 

RBNZ, which also acts as prudential regulator, tightened macroprudential lending standards further at the start of October, limiting 80%+ LVR loans to 10% of the owner occupier market.

New APRA rule effective from today

From today, APRA's new serviceability buffer comes into effect, jumping from 2.5% to 3.0%, explained further here.

A number of banks and lenders have responded by already adhering to the guidelines, while also hiking home loan interest rates.

On a home loan with an advertised interest rate 2.00% for example, banks will now use a serviceability rate of 5.00% (2.00% plus 3.00% buffer) to assess a borrower's capacity to repay the home loan.

Non-banks aren't subject to the rule, and instead will continue to use ASIC's mandated 2.50% buffer.

Advertisement

Buying a home or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest interest rates on the market for owner occupiers.

Update resultsUpdate
Filters
LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees Max LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkComparePromoted ProductDisclosure
6.04% p.a.
6.06% p.a.
$3,011
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
90%
4.6 Star Customer Ratings
  • Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.
  • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
  • Quick and easy online application process.
Disclosure
5.99% p.a.
5.90% p.a.
$2,995
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
Apply in minutes
  • No application or ongoing fees. Annual rate discount
  • Unlimited redraws & additional repayments. LVR <80%
  • A low-rate variable home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
 Disclosure
6.09% p.a.
6.11% p.a.
$3,027
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$250
60%
  • No annual fees – None!
  • Get fast pre-approval
  • Unlimited additional repayments free of charge
 Disclosure
5.69% p.a.
6.16% p.a.
$2,899
Principal & Interest
Fixed
$0
$530
90%
  • Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.
  • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
  • Flexibility to split your loan with both fixed and variable rates
 Disclosure
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Image by Matthew Waring via Unsplash



Ready, Set, Buy!


Learn everything you need to know about buying property – from choosing the right property and home loan, to the purchasing process, tips to save money and more!

With bonus Q&A sheet and Crossword!

Download Free
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy