The Australian Defence Force (ADF) offers a wide variety of career options supported by very attractive pay and benefits like the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS).
For those who leave the ADF, the outlook is also typically positive. A 2022 study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found the majority of ex-serving ADF members are employed, earn higher incomes than the Australian population, and own their homes1.
Helping hands to buy a home.
As an ADF member, you will likely benefit from valuable rental subsidies.
However, there are good reasons to consider buying a place of your own, even if you anticipate being deployed to a new location.
Home ownership can play a critical role in building long term personal wealth.
Typically, homes enjoy tax-free status, exclusion from social security tests, and have delivered long term price growth – factors that have paid off considerably for many Australians including ADF members.
Better still, ADF members can take advantage of attractive benefits to buy a home of their own.
These benefits include:
- The Home Purchase Assistance Scheme (HPAS) worth $16,9492, and;
- The Home Purchase or Sale Expenses Allowance (HPSEA) that helps ADF members with the costs of selling or buying a home3.
Civilian benefits are available too – though often with extra sweeteners for ADF personnel.
In some states, such as NSW, ADF members are exempt from the requirement to occupy a first home for at least 12 months following purchase, to be eligible for the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant .
Home loan support from a bank that supports ADF members.
A key benefit for ADF members is that they can also take advantage of the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS).
It is designed to help current and former ADF personnel and their families achieve home ownership through monthly subsidy payments.
Learn more about the DHOAS subsidy.
Defence Bank is a DHOAS-approved lender.
We have also signed up to the Australian Government’s Home Guarantee Scheme which includes the First Home Guarantee, Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee and the Family Home Guarantee. It could let you buy a place of your own for as little as 5% deposit (2% if you’re a solo parent), without the need to pay lenders mortgage insurance.
Best of all, because we are a member-owned bank, we re-invest profits back into the bank, so you can be confident you are paying the competitive home loan rate that we believe our members deserve.
The bottom line is that with the help of a Defence Bank home loan and schemes like DHOAS, ADF members can build their wealth through property – no matter where you are in the world.
Would you like to learn more?
For details on our competitively priced home loans, contact the team at Defence Bank today. Call our Contact Centre on 1800 033 139 or visit your local branch to find out more. For DHOAS scheme eligibility requirements visit www.dhoas.gov.au or call 1300 4 DHOAS (1300 434 627).
1 https://www.aihw.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/2021/september/most-veterans-faring-well-in-education-employment
2 https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/buying-home-using-home-purchase-assistance-scheme-hpas
3 https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/selling-or-buying-home-using-home-purchase-or-sale-expenses-allowance-hpsea
Important note: This information is of a general nature and is not intended to be relied on by you as advice in any particular matter. You should contact us at Defence Bank to discuss how this information may apply to your circumstances.
