Layer 1
Deposit
Saved funds, gifts, equity or sale proceeds used toward the purchase.
Buying costs
Deposit and buying costs: plan the cash before settlement
The deposit is only one part of the money needed to buy. Settlement costs, lender costs and buffer can change what is realistic.
- Deposit
- Stamp duty
- Settlement buffer
Which cost are you trying to understand?
Choose the part of the cash position that is currently unclear.
Next check: Deposit
Deposit
Deposit size affects LVR, LMI, lender options and how much cash remains after settlement.
May suitBuyers setting a purchase budget or comparing low-deposit options.
WatchDeposit is not the same as total cash needed.
Check first
- Deposit source
- Savings history
- LVR
- Cash left after costs
A broker can check deposit source, lender policy and whether the cash position is workable.
Cash-to-complete stack
Deposit is only one layer of the money needed to buy.
Plan the purchase cash as a stack: lender deposit, government costs, professional checks, lender costs, moving costs and money left after settlement.
Layer 2
Duty and concessions
State or territory costs, grants or concessions that depend on current rules.
Layer 3
Legal and inspections
Conveyancing, searches, building and pest, strata or other property checks.
Layer 4
Lender and LMI costs
Application fees, settlement fees and possible LMI depending on the lender and scenario.
Layer 5
Moving and buffer
Insurance, moving, setup, first repayment timing and cash left after settlement.
Common buying costs to plan for
Not every cost applies the same way, but these are the areas to check before making an offer.
Deposit and LMI
Deposit size affects LVR, possible LMI and loan amount.
Stamp duty
Duty and concessions vary by state, property and buyer details.
Conveyancing and inspections
Legal review, building and pest checks, strata or body corporate checks may matter.
Fees, moving and buffer
Budget for lender fees, government fees, insurance, moving and cash left after settlement.
Cash to complete
Plan the money needed before and after settlement.
A workable purchase budget checks deposit, upfront costs, possible concessions and the cash left after settlement together.
Use this page if
- You have a deposit but are unsure about duty, legal costs, inspections or lender fees.
- You are checking state rules, concessions, grants or scheme assumptions.
- You are close to making an offer and need to know the cash position.
Prepare before review
- Deposit source, savings history, available cash and expected settlement timing.
- Stamp duty, legal costs, inspections, lender fees, insurance, moving costs and buffer.
- State, property use, buyer status and official sources for concessions or grants.
Do not assume
- A calculator gives exact final costs.
- Concessions, grants or schemes apply automatically.
- Using every available dollar at settlement leaves enough repayment buffer.
Check before you rely on it
Buying cost rules can change
Use calculators as a starting point and check official sources or advisers before relying on grants, concessions or legal details.
- Grants, schemes and concessions can change and may have eligibility rules.
- Speak with a conveyancer or solicitor about contracts and settlement details.
- Calculator results are estimates only and are not approval, credit advice, or a loan recommendation.
Buying cost calculators and related pages
Estimate cash needed, then review deposit and lender policy.
CalculatorUpfront buying costs calculatorBring deposit, duty, legal costs, lender fees, moving costs, and settlement cash into one planning view.Best forChecking whether the cash-to-complete picture is realistic before inspections or offers.Estimate only. A broker still needs to check lender policy and fit.Open calculator CalculatorStamp duty calculatorEstimate transfer duty as an early planning figure before checking current state rules and concessions.Best forSense-checking purchase costs when the property state and price are becoming clearer.Estimate only. A broker still needs to check lender policy and fit.Open calculator CalculatorLMI calculatorEstimate the deposit gap and repayment impact when the deposit is below the usual 20 percent benchmark.Best forUnderstanding the trade-off between buying sooner and contributing a larger deposit.Estimate only. A broker still needs to check lender policy and fit.Open calculator CalculatorBorrowing power calculatorEstimate a practical borrowing range before narrowing a property search or pre-approval conversation.Best forEarly budget setting before a buyer gets attached to a price range.Estimate only. A broker still needs to check lender policy and fit.Open calculator Start HereFirst home buyersReview first-home grants, concessions and scheme cautions.Open
Common questions
Deposit and buying cost questions
Is my deposit the same as the cash I need to buy?
No. You also need to plan for stamp duty, legal costs, inspections, lender and government fees, moving costs and a cash buffer.
Do first home buyer concessions apply automatically?
No. Eligibility depends on current state rules, buyer details, property details and timing. Check official sources before relying on a concession.
Should I speak with a conveyancer before signing?
Yes. Contract and settlement details should be checked with a conveyancer or solicitor before you rely on them.
Can a broker tell me the exact buying costs?
A broker can help factor estimates into the lending review, but exact legal, government and contract costs should be checked with the relevant official source or adviser.
Broker review
Check the cash position before you make an offer
A broker can review deposit, LVR, lender policy and repayments while you confirm contract and settlement details with the right adviser.