I wanted to share the latest housing lending figures with you, as they provide a useful snapshot of where buyer activity currently sits. While lending eased compared with the previous quarter, the year-on-year figures tell a more positive story, with lending values remaining higher across owner-occupiers, first-home buyers and investors.
For those of us working across the housing industry, it’s a timely reminder that buyers are still active—but many need financial clarity early in their journey. When clients understand their borrowing power, deposit requirements and potential next steps, they can approach their property or building decisions with greater confidence.
In this week’s update, I’ve broken down the latest figures and what they could mean for you and the clients you’re currently working with.
What The Latest Lending Figures Tell Us
Australia’s housing market continues to adjust to changing interest rates, affordability pressures and broader economic conditions. However, the latest lending figures suggest buyers have not disappeared from the market.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the total value of new housing loan commitments reached $103 billion in the March quarter of 2026. While this was 3.8% lower than the previous quarter, it remained 18.5% higher than the same period last year.
The number of new housing loan commitments followed a similar pattern—easing during the quarter but remaining 8.6% higher annually. This points to a market that has moderated from the strong finish to 2025, rather than one that has come to a standstill.
Activity is coming from multiple buyer segments
The annual increase in lending was not limited to one area of the market. Lending values remained higher across owner-occupiers, first-home buyers and investors.
| Buyer segment | March quarter lending | Annual change |
|---|---|---|
| All housing lending | $103.0 billion | +18.5% |
| Owner-occupiers | $61.4 billion | +14.3% |
| First-home buyers | $17.9 billion | +17.9% |
| Investors | $41.5 billion | +25.3% |
First-home-buyer lending is included within owner-occupier lending. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Investor lending recorded the strongest annual growth, but the rise in first-home-buyer and owner-occupier lending is also significant. It indicates that buyers at different stages of their property journey are continuing to explore opportunities.
Higher lending values can also reflect larger average loan sizes, so the figures do not necessarily mean every part of the market is accelerating. However, they demonstrate that financial activity remains considerably higher than it was a year ago.
What this means for housing industry referrers
For builders, developers and other housing industry partners, the latest figures are a useful reminder that buyers are still active—but many need greater financial clarity before they feel ready to proceed.
Introducing clients to a broker earlier can help them understand their borrowing power, deposit requirements, potential repayments and realistic budget. This is particularly valuable for buyers considering a new build, where finance, land, and building timelines often need to align.
While market conditions continue to evolve, opportunities remain for buyers who are well-informed and financially prepared. An early finance conversation can help turn initial interest into a clearer pathway towards purchasing or building.
At Mortgage Domayne, we work alongside our referral partners to help clients understand their position and take their next steps with confidence. If you’re working with someone who is considering purchasing, building, or investing, our team is here to help.
Interest Rates
VARIABLE
These rates are variable and based on a $500,000 loan with principal and interest payments over 30 years (as of May 2026):
1 YEAR FIXED
The rates below are 1-year fixed rates based on a $500,000 loan, with principal and interest payments over a 30-year loan term (May 2026):
