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What is home loan pre-approval?
Home loan pre-approval is when a lender completes an assessment of your financial situation and conditionally agrees to lend you a specified amount to buy a property. The key word here is ‘conditional’. Although pre-approval is a great way to understand your budget, full approval only occurs once a contract of sale takes place.

Benefits of home loan pre-approval

Boosts your buying confidence

Having a clear idea of your budget means you can confidently look at homes within your price range. It also saves you the time and heartache of looking at properties you may not be able to afford.

Strengthens your position with sellers

Pre-approval makes a strong statement to sellers. It shows that you’re serious about buying and are more likely to be able to access the funds needed for a smooth sale.

Allows you to act quickly

If you find the home of your dreams, you don’t want to hang around! With pre-approval secured, you’ll be in a position to make an offer immediately.

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What documents do I need to apply for pre-approval?
To apply for home loan pre-approval, you will need proof of identity (e.g. passport), proof of income and employment (e.g. pay slips), and proof of any assets (e.g. vehicles, other property) and debts (e.g. personal loans, credit cards) you might have.
What happens after I’m granted pre-approval?
Once pre-approval is granted, you can begin bidding on properties with confidence for up to 90 days. However, it is important to understand that you will need full approval in order to actually buy a home.
FAQS

Pre-approval explained

You should apply for home loan pre-approval when you’re ready to begin the conversation about buying a property. As detailed above, pre-approval will give you a clear idea of what you can afford and put you in a strong position with potential sellers.

Pre-approval is valid for up to 90 days. You are not obliged to bid on or purchase a property during this time.

Home loan pre-approval is a form of credit enquiry, which means it will be recorded on your credit report. However, this will only negatively impact your credit score if you make multiple pre-approval applications with different lenders within a short space of time.

Pre-approval is conditional on a number of factors and is therefore not a guarantee of getting a home loan. It does, however, put you in a stronger position to receive full approval should you apply for it.

Why we're different

We like to do things a little differently. Here are a few things you can expect from us:

  • Intuitive tools to help you save smarter, not harder
  • Flexible loan options to help you pay it off sooner
  • We've been putting customers first for over 75 years
The entire process could not have been easier. We moved a loan from another bank we were disappointed in and I couldn't believe just how simple it was.
Paul, NSW
Great Southern Bank customer

Compare home loans

Basic Variable Home Loan
Discounted rates from
6.04
%
p.a.
Comparison rate^
6.10
%
p.a.
All the features you need and nothing you don't.
Owner occupier, principal & interest, LVR 70% or less. Includes discount on new and additional lending. Min. loan amount applies.2,3,4
Offset Variable Home Loan
Discounted rates from
6.14
%
p.a.
Comparison rate^
6.20
%
p.a.
100% offset home loan that makes saving on interest easy.8
Owner occupier, principal & interest, LVR 70% or less. Includes discount on new and additional lending. Min. loan amount applies.2,3,4
Fixed Rate Home Loan
2 year fixed rate
6.40
%
p.a.
Comparison rate^
7.73
%
p.a.
A competitive fixed rate plus the flexibility to pay up to $30,000 in extra repayments during the fixed term.9
2 year fixed rate, owner occupier, principal & interest.5,6
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Important Information

Rates are current as at 22 May 2026 and subject to change.

Great Southern Bank, a business name of Credit Union Australia Ltd ABN 44 087 650 959, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 238317. Lending criteria, limits, conditions, and fees apply. Applications are subject to credit approval.

1 The Boost is not available on business accounts.

2 Discounts off the Basic Variable and Offset Variable Reference Rate are available to (a) new home loans with a minimum application amount of $100,000; or (b) switching or restructuring of the home loan you already have with us when it includes new borrowing of at least $10,000; for new home loan applications unconditionally approved on or after 22 May 2026. Published interest rates are inclusive of any discounts off the respective Reference Rates. Interest rates and discounts vary based on the loan purpose (owner occupier and investor), repayment type (principal and interest, interest only, construction) and Loan to Value Ratio (LVR). Maximum LVR applies and includes Lenders' Mortgage Insurance and Great Southern Bank loan setup fees where applicable.

3 Great Southern Bank may withdraw or amend this offer at any time without notice. A change in your loan purpose, your repayment type or your loan product will permanently end your entitlement to the discount.

4 LVR means ‘Loan to Value Ratio’. It is the amount of your loan divided by the valuation of your property, calculated as a percentage. For example, if you apply for a loan of $400,000, which will be secured by a property valued at $500,000, your LVR is 80%. We calculate your LVR at the time we approve your loan and your discount won’t change because of changes to the LVR during the life of your loan.

5 Fixed Rate loans are available to (a) new home loans with a minimum application amount of $100,000; or (b) switching or restructuring of existing home loans. Maximum Loan to Value Ratio applies and includes Lenders' Mortgage Insurance and Great Southern Bank loan setup fees where applicable.

6 On expiry of the fixed rate period, the loan reverts to the Basic Variable Reference Rate relevant to your loan purpose and repayment type which applies at the time of expiry.

7 A $200 minimum withdrawal amount applies for redraws conducted in-branch.

8 You must maintain a minimum balance of $500 in each offset account to obtain an offset benefit. You will also not receive any interest on the funds in your offset accounts.

9 A daily transfer will refund any amounts paid in advance in excess of the total advance repayments allowed during the fixed rate period ($30,000) unless sufficient to pay out the loan in full (in which case an Early Payout Cost may apply). Excess funds will be transferred to the nominated deposit account, which must remain open for the fixed rate period.

^ Comparison rate accurate for $150,000 secured loan over 25 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate.

#Offer includes $0 Establishment Fee and is open to new or existing customers applying for a minimum application amount of $100,000 or more. Excludes applications for Internal Refinance of existing facilities. Applications must be received between 31/08/2022 and 31/07/2026 and settled by 31/10/2026. To be eligible to apply you must be at least 18 years of age and a permanent resident of Australia. Great Southern Bank may withdraw or amend this offer at any time without notice.