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The Home Purchase Assistance Scheme (HPAS) is a Defence initiative that provides financial assistance to eligible members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) who are purchasing a home in Melbourne. HPAS offers up to $20,000 AUD towards the purchase price of a home, and can be used for both new and established properties. If you’re looking to apply for HPAS defence, our brokers can help ensure a smooth and stress-free application process. Discuss your needs with us today.
What Is HPAS Defence?
An ADF member may be eligible for financial help to purchase a home. The home purchasing assistance program (HPAS) is responsible for this payment. It is only available once during a member’s ADF service.
HPAS Eligibility
The following are some general HPAS eligibility criteria you need to meet:
Buy A Home Where Your Family Lives
You must be an active member of the ADF and have a dependent partner or child. You must also have completed basic training.
Occupation Home
Buying a home near your work is mandatory. You must buy the property in your current posting location.
Buying A Home In A New Location
Alternatively, you can use the HPAS to help with the purchase of a home in a new location if you are posted to a new duty station. You will need to provide a copy of your posting order as well as a signed contract of sale for the property.
Be In That Location For 12 Months After Signing Contract
You need to remain in the location for at least 12 months after signing the contract. You will not be eligible for the HPAS defence if you move out of your home before this time.
How Much Can You Get
As a military member, you may be eligible for assistance in purchasing your own home How much can you get with a defence home purchase assistance scheme?
HPAS is made up of a lump-sum payment of $16,949 before taxes. Please note that the amount available to you is reduced by your proportionate ownership stake in the property (i.e., if you are a joint owner with a non-ADF member, you’ll see the amount halved). You may need to repay the HPAS if the sale doesn’t go ahead.
Using HPAS ADF As Deposit
The majority of banks demand a 5% down payment. You might be eligible for the Home Purchase Assistance Scheme (HPAS) and First Home Owners Grant (FHOG). These will aid in the reduction of your mortgage payments. There are no deposit loans available to those who use a guarantor to secure the loan.
HPAS Application Process In Melbourne
You are required to submit some supporting documentation and follow a streamlined process during your HPAS application.
Required Documents
You will be asked to provide the following documents for your HPAS application:
- A completed HPAS form
- Proof of identity
- Your discharge certificate or separation document
- Evidence of your home loan pre-approval from a financial institution
- A copy of the sale contract for the property you wish to purchase
Step-By-Step Application Process
The following is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for your home purchase assistance scheme in Melbourne.
- Firstly, you will need to speak with your commanding officer in order to get permission to apply for the HPAS. You will need to provide them with evidence of your income and employment history.
- Once you have been given permission to apply, you will need to find a property that is within your budget and meets the requirements of the HPAS.
- Once you have found a suitable property, you will need to provide the relevant documentation to your bank or lender in order to apply for a home loan.
- Once your home loan has been approved, you will need to pay a deposit which is usually 10% of the purchase price of the property.
- Once the deposit has been paid, you will need to sign a contract of sale and pay the balance of the purchase price.
- Once the purchase price has been paid, you will need to arrange for insurance cover for your new home.
- Once all of the above steps have been completed, you will be the proud owner of a new home.
Home Purchase Assistance Scheme For Reservists
Is home purchase assistance scheme available for reservists? Yes, the home purchase assistance scheme is available to all eligible ADF members, including reservists.
Need Help?
For more information on how to apply for HPAS or to begin your application straightaway, talk to a defence home loan specialist from Break Free Home Loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some of our most frequently asked questions:
Can You Use HPAS As A Deposit In Melbourne?
Yes, you can. Most banks demand a 5% down payment. You may qualify for the Home Purchase Assistance Scheme (HPAS) and the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG). These will help to reduce the cost of your property. There are also no deposit loans available to those who use a guarantor to secure the loan’s repayment.
Who Can Apply For HPAS?
The Home Purchase Assistance Scheme (HPAS) is a Defence initiative to help service members purchase their own homes. The scheme provides financial assistance in the form of a loan, which can be used for a deposit, to pay for stamp duty and other associated costs such as conveyancing.
To be eligible for HPAS assistance, you must:
- Meet the eligibility criteria for an ADF home loan: Be an active member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). You’ll need to have served in the ADF for at least 12 months (this can be a non-continuous service) and meet the lending criteria of an ADF home loan.
Meet the income and asset eligibility criteria: Have a gross annual income of less than $160,000. - Be a first home buyer as defined by the scheme: You (and your partner) can’t own or have previously owned property in Australia. There are limited exceptions for those who have owned the property prior to entering the Defence service.
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident: You’ll need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to apply for HPAS assistance.
- Location requirements: Have been posted to a location where HPAS is offered.
- The property must be located in Australia: The property you’re looking to purchase must be located in Australia.
- The property must be suitable for your needs: The property must be suitable for your needs as determined by the scheme’s assessors.
- You must live in the property: You’ll need to live in the property you purchase with HPAS assistance as your principal place of residence.
Can Reservists Get HPAS?
Yes, they can. The Home Purchase Assistance Scheme (HPAS) is a little different to the DHOAS in that it helps ADF members pay the costs of taking out a home loan, including the application process, stamp duty and conveyancing costs. To be eligible for HPAS, you must be a member of the ADF, this includes reservists. You need to have completed at least one year of continuous full-time service.
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