The move by the lending arm of aggregator Australian Finance Group could save first home buyers up to $699.
AFG Securities, the wholesale lending arm of ASX-listed mortgage aggregator Australian Finance Group (AFG), has announced it is waiving the settlement fee on two of its flagship loan products to provide “a meaningful saving at a time when every dollar counts”.
The settlement fee, worth up to $699, will be waived for first home buyer applications on AFG Home Loans Retro Full Doc and AFG Home Loans Link Premium loans submitted by 31 October 2025 and settled by 31 December 2025.
The initiative is aimed at improving accessibility for first-time buyers.
It comes just weeks after AFG Securities lowered the deposit hurdle on the Retro and Link products from 10 per cent to 5 per cent and scrapped the three-month genuine savings requirement.
Applicants are now able to rely on funds already held in their account or gifted contributions from family.
AFG Home Loans general manager Hayden Cush said the changes would make it easier for first home buyers struggling to enter the property market.
“Previously, the Retro and Link loans were out of reach for many first-time buyers due to higher deposit requirements – for instance Retro previously required a 10 per cent deposit. Along with the new flexibility in proven savings policy, these loans have become more accessible to first home buyers,” Cush said.
“With house prices continuing to rise across Australia, home ownership has become increasingly difficult for those not already on the property ladder. By easing the path to finance, AFG hopes to empower more first-time buyers to purchase their own home.
“Waiving the settlement fee – saving up to $699 – is the icing on the cake. It’s a meaningful saving at a time when every dollar counts.”
Together, the changes aim to make AFG Securities’ Retro and Link products “more accessible to underserved customer segments”.
The lending arm said that, in addition to first home buyers, the updated policies also benefit self-employed individuals and others who may not meet traditional lending criteria.
[Related: AFG Home Loans expands product offering]
