Episode 20: Unlocking the Truth About the 5% Deposit Scheme

The First Home Guarantee Scheme has a new name, it’s now called the 5% Deposit Scheme, but how it actually works, and what the latest report reveals, might surprise you.

In this episode, Jack Elliott unpacks the 2024–25 Financial year Housing Australia Report and clears up the biggest myths surrounding the scheme: that it’s brand new, that it’s tied to one political party, and that it’s high-risk for buyers. You’ll learn what the data really shows about borrower performance, how the scheme is being used across Australia, and what it actually costs to buy under it.

Whether you’ve heard mixed messages online or you’re wondering if this could help you buy sooner, this conversation will help you understand the facts and how to use the scheme strategically.

In this episode:
🔑 Why the 5% Deposit Scheme isn’t new (and how it’s evolved since 2020)
🔑 The real numbers from the 2024–25 Housing Australia Report
🔑 How arrears and defaults compare to the broader market
🔑 What “borrowing at 95% LVR” really means for risk and buffers
🔑 Why you’ll need more than a 5% deposit once all upfront costs are included.