How much deposit for a $600k house in Australia?
For a $600k property in Australia, expect to need between $30,000 (5% deposit, with LMI) and $120,000 (20% deposit, no LMI) — plus stamp duty, conveyancing, and inspection costs. The numbers below cover all four standard deposit scenarios with current 2025-26 rates.
Deposit scenarios at a glance
Each row shows what you contribute upfront, what the bank lends, the indicative Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) premium for that LVR, and the total loan size including capitalised LMI.
| Scenario | Deposit | Loan | LMI (indicative) | Total loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5% deposit (95% LVR) | $30,000 | $570,000 | $22,800 | $592,800 |
| 10% deposit (90% LVR) | $60,000 | $540,000 | $10,800 | $550,800 |
| 15% deposit (85% LVR) | $90,000 | $510,000 | $4,335 | $514,335 |
| 20% deposit (80% LVR) | $120,000 | $480,000 | $0 | $480,000 |
LMI estimates are indicative grids based on Helia / QBE published rate cards. Actual premiums vary by lender and loan size. The First Home Guarantee scheme can eliminate LMI for eligible buyers — see the LMI calculator.
Stamp duty on a $600k purchase by state
Stamp duty (officially "transfer duty") varies sharply by state. The table below shows current 2025-26 rates for an established residential purchase, with both owner-occupier and first home buyer concessions applied where eligible.
| State | Owner-occupier duty | First home buyer duty | Total charges (with fees) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $21,412 | $0 | $21,754 |
| VIC | $31,070 | $0 | $31,310 |
| QLD | $12,850 | $0 | $13,270 |
Want WA, SA, TAS, NT or ACT? Run the same scenario through the stamp duty calculator.
Total upfront cost
For a non-first-home owner-occupier in NSW with a 10% deposit, the all-in cash you'll need at settlement is approximately:
- Deposit: $60,000
- Stamp duty + transfer fees (NSW): $21,754
- Conveyancing + building & pest inspections: ~$2,500
- Total: ~$84,254
LMI of $10,800 is typically capitalised (added to the loan balance) rather than paid upfront, so it's not in the cash-to-complete figure above. First home buyers in some states avoid stamp duty entirely below concession thresholds — see the first home buyer guide.
What income do you need?
Lenders assess serviceability at the contracted rate plus APRA's 3% buffer. As a rough guide for a $600k property with a 20% deposit (so a $480,000 loan):
- Single applicant, no dependants, no other debts: combined gross income around $96,000 minimum.
- Couple, two children, average expenses: combined gross income around $120,000.
- Add ~$10,000 of income headroom for every $5,000 of credit card limits or HECS debt.
For a personalised number tailored to your salary, expenses, and existing debts, use the borrowing power calculator — it applies the same APRA buffer and HEM living expense floor that real lenders do.
How to save the deposit faster
The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS) lets first home buyers contribute up to $50,000 of voluntary super contributions toward a deposit, with the released amount taxed at a discounted rate. See our FHSS guide. A high-interest savings account paired with the FHSS scheme is the standard accelerated path. Genuine savings rules require lenders to see at least 5% saved over 3+ months — gifted deposits often need supplementary income verification.