Keystart has just announced significant changes to their income and property price limits, meaning many more West Australians can now qualify for a keystart loan, which offers significant benefits such as lower upfront costs and flexible deposit requirements.
What we’ll be looking at in this article:
- What’s New With Keystart Finance
- What’s Changed? (Detailed Breakdown)
- Why Choose Keystart
- Current Keystart Interest Rate
- Eligibility Criteria
- Your Borrowing Power
- What All Of These Changes Mean
- Pair Keystart With A House & Land Package
Easystart Homes is excited to share the latest news catered to First Home Buyers in WA.
Keystart has made significant changes to its income and property price limits, meaning many more West Australians can now qualify for a Keystart loan. The absence of lender’s mortgage insurance (LMI) and flexible deposit options are major advantages, making this a great time for individuals and couples to dive into the home owner market.
At Easystart Homes, in collaboration with Westgate Finance, we’re here to help you understand what’s changed and how to take advantage of the new opportunities.
What’s New with Keystart Finance in 2026?
Keystart has expanded its lending conditions so more WA buyers can get into their own home sooner. In simple terms, both the income limits and property price limits have been lifted, while the low‑deposit structure remains in place.
If you checked Keystart before and just missed out, these new settings mean it’s worth revisiting your options.
Quick Snapshot of the Key Updates
- Higher income limits for singles, couples and families
- Higher property price caps for new homes
- Same low‑deposit structure (from 2% deposit) and no LMI
- Options available across Perth metro, regional WA and remote regions like the Kimberley and Pilbara
See if you qualify
If you didn’t qualify for finance before, now is the perfect time to enquire again. With these new limits, you may now be eligible, and we can help you get into a home of your own.
What’s Changed: Updated Income & Property Price Limits
Keystart has raised both its income thresholds and property price limits, meaning more Perth buyers now qualify – and those who do can borrow more. Here’s exactly where the new limits sit across each loan type.
Low Deposit Home Loan
The Low Deposit Home Loan is Keystart’s flagship product, requiring as little as 2% deposit with no LMI. The updated limits are:
Metro and Regional Areas
| Metro and Regional Areas | Limit |
| Property price limit | $800,000 |
| Income limit – Singles | $148,000 |
| Income limit – Couples & Families | $218,000 |
Kimberley and Pilbara
| Kimberley and Pilbara | Limit |
| Property price limit | $800,000 |
| Income limit – Singles | $225,000 |
| Income limit – Couples & Families | $285,000 |
Shared Ownership Home Loan
The Shared Ownership loan is designed for buyers who need an extra leg up – Keystart co-owns a share of the property to reduce your repayments. Current limits for Metro and Regional Areas:
Metro and Regional Areas
| Metro and Regional Areas | Limit |
| Property price limit | $660,000 |
| Income limit – Singles | $123,000 |
| Income limit – Couples & Families | $189,000 |
What Do These Limits Mean for Your Build?
If your household income sits under the relevant threshold and your new home is priced within the property limit, you could be eligible to build with a Keystart loan – often with a deposit as low as 2%. For example, on a $750,000 home in Perth metro, a 2% deposit is just $15,000 saved to get started.
For full eligibility criteria including citizenship, residency and owner‑occupier requirements, see our Keystart eligibility guide on our
Keystart Home Loans finance page
Why Choose Keystart?
Keystart is specifically designed to make home ownership more achievable for West Australians. If you’re struggling to save a large deposit or don’t quite fit traditional bank criteria, it can be a powerful alternative.
- Low Deposit: Start with as little as a 2% deposit, compared to the 5% (or more) required by many major lenders.
- Easier Criteria: You may still be eligible even if you’ve had credit issues in the past, (such as defaults or previous hardship.)
- No Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI): Removing LMI can save you thousands in upfront costs.
- No Monthly Account Fees: There are less “junk” fees to worry about so you can focus on your repayments.
Easystart Homes works closely with Keystart and Westgate Finance to package the right home design, land and finance solution for your situation.
Current Keystart Interest Rate
Today’s Standard Variable Rate
As of 19 March 2026, Keystart’s standard variable interest rate is 7.35% p.a. This rate is linked to movements in the Reserve Bank of Australia’s official cash rate and may change over time. Always check the latest variable interest rate details before making a decision.
Keystart Low Deposit Home Loan Rate
For most first home buyers building with Easystart Homes, this will be the core rate used to calculate your repayments on a Low Deposit Home Loan.
Keystart Shared Ownership Home Loan Rate
If you’re using the Shared Ownership option, your rate may differ slightly from the standard Low Deposit Home Loan. We’ll update this section with the latest Shared Ownership rate so you can compare your options at a glance.
Why the Keystart Rate Matters Right Now
Keystart’s interest rate directly affects how much you can borrow, what your weekly repayments look like, and how quickly you can move from renting to owning. With so many buyers searching specifically for “Keystart interest rate”, having clear, up‑to‑date information helps you plan with confidence.
Where We Get This Information
We monitor Keystart’s official rate announcements and update this page whenever a change is confirmed, so you’re always seeing current information rather than old examples. For detailed product information, fees and conditions, refer to Keystart’s own disclosures.
How Do I Know if I’m Eligible for a Keystart Home Loan?
Keystart has made it easier for West Australians to fulfil their dream of home ownership by expanding its lending conditions. If you didn’t meet the eligibility criteria for a Keystart Low Deposit or Shared Ownership Home Loan before, you might now fit under the updated limits.
Core Keystart Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a Keystart home loan, you’ll generally need to:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Live in Western Australia and want to buy or build here
- Have an income within the relevant maximum limits
- Not own another home or land at the time of settlement
- Plan to live in the home as your principal place of residence
- Have enough funds available to cover your deposit, fees and moving costs
If you’re unsure, our team (and Westgate Home Loans) can run through your situation and give you a clear “yes / no / not yet” view.
See If You Qualify
Just provide a few details, and our finance team can let you know if you’re eligible and what your borrowing power might look like under the new limits.
How Much More Can You Borrow Now?
Higher Limits = Higher Borrowing Power
With income and property price limits increasing, many buyers who were previously just outside Keystart’s criteria can now qualify. In practical terms, that can mean moving from an older established property into a brand‑new home in a community you actually want to live in.
Example Borrowing Scenarios
Single Buyer in Perth Metro
- Income under the new single income limit
- Looking at a home under the updated property price cap
- Able to contribute a 2% deposit plus costs
In this scenario, you may now be able to borrow enough to build a turnkey home instead of compromising on an older property that needs ongoing repairs.
Couple or Family in Perth Metro
- Combined income under the new couples and families limit
- Building within the new property price limit
- Using a 2% deposit with no LMI
Under the updated limits, couples and families can often consider extra bedrooms, a second living space, or a larger block that previously sat just out of reach.
Use Our Finance Team to Model Your Numbers
Everyone’s situation is different. Our in‑house finance team can work through your income, deposit and debts to show you what the new Keystart limits mean in actual borrowing dollars for your build.
Read more: Keystart how much can I borrow
What This Means for Perth First Home Buyers Right Now
More People Now Meet Keystart Criteria
The combination of higher income limits and higher property price caps means more Perth renters now tick the eligibility boxes. If you’ve checked Keystart before and just missed out, it’s worth revisiting your options under the new settings.
More Choice in Location and Home Design
Because the property price limits have moved up, you’re not as restricted to lower‑priced suburbs or the smallest floor plans.
Location Flexibility
You may now be able to build in estates closer to work, family and schools instead of compromising purely on price.
Home Design Upgrades
The new caps can also make features like a theatre room, scullery or larger alfresco more realistic within your budget, rather than “maybe one day” extras.
Timing Is Important
Interest rates and lending policies don’t stay the same forever. With so much interest in Keystart right now, it’s clear many Perth buyers are reassessing their options at the same time.
Take the Next Step
If you’re not sure whether you fit under the new limits, a quick chat with our team can confirm your eligibility and give you a clear picture of timelines, costs and next steps.
Why Pair Keystart with a House & Land Package?
A Keystart home loan is designed to work hand‑in‑hand with new builds, which is why Keystart house and land packages is one of the most common ways people research this product. With a low deposit and capped repayments during construction, you can build while keeping your budget under control.
How Our Packages Are Structured for Keystart
Keystart Fixed‑Price House & Land
We package the land, home design and siteworks together so you know your total price upfront. That makes it easier for your Keystart lender to assess your application and for you to stay under the relevant property price limit.
Designs Matched to Keystart Limits
Our most popular Keystart‑friendly designs are chosen to sit comfortably within current property price caps for Perth metro and regional areas. This reduces the risk of falling in love with a plan you ultimately can’t finance.
Where You Can Build with Keystart
Perth Metro Estates
We work with a wide range of land developers across Perth, from established northern and southern suburbs through to new master‑planned communities. Our consultants can help you shortlist estates that fit both your lifestyle and Keystart criteria.
Regional WA Options
If you’re looking to build in regional WA, including the South West, we can help you find land and designs that align with the relevant Keystart limits for your area.
See our tailored FIFO home buyers information.
Start with a Keystart‑Ready Package
Tell us your approximate budget and preferred suburbs, and we’ll present you with Keystart‑ready house & land packages tailored to your eligibility. From there, our finance partners can confirm your borrowing power and guide you through pre‑approval.
Get Into Your Home Sooner
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to turn your home ownership dreams into reality. With Keystart’s updated limits and Easystart’s low‑deposit house & land packages, owning your own home could be closer than you think.
