Buying your first home is
more confusing than necessary.
Echidna Equity guides first home buyers all over Australia through every step of the process, from understanding your borrowing power to getting the keys. No fees for our service.
For First Home Buyers in Sydney and All Over Australia
Most people only buy their first home once. You deserve to get it right.
The process is more confusing than it needs to be. Between deposit requirements, lender policies, government grants, and loan structures, most first home buyers spend months second-guessing every decision before they've even made an offer.
We cut through that. We explain your options in plain English, match you with the right lender from a panel of 75+, and stay with you from the first conversation until the day you get your keys.
And because we're paid by the lender after your loan settles, our service costs you nothing.
We're based in Sydney, but we work with first home buyers all over Australia. Wherever you're buying, we'll identify the grants and schemes that apply in your state and run the same process for you, mostly by phone, video call and email.
What We Do For You
More than just finding a rate.
A good broker does a lot more than compare interest rates. Here's what you actually get when you work with Echidna Equity.
Borrowing Power Assessment
We work out exactly how much you can borrow before you start looking, so you're not wasting time on properties outside your range or missing ones within it.
Lender Matching
Different lenders suit different buyers. We match you based on your income type, deposit size, property type, and timeline, not just whoever has the lowest headline rate today, including green and ethical lenders if buying an energy-efficient home is part of your plan.
Grants and Scheme Navigation
We identify every grant and government scheme you're eligible for, including the First Home Guarantee, stamp duty concessions, and the First Home Super Saver Scheme, and fold them into your application.
Full Application Management
We prepare and submit your application, manage the lender on your behalf, and keep you updated at every stage. You don't have to chase anyone.
Government Support
There's more help available than most people realise.
First home buyers across Australia have access to a range of federal schemes, plus state-based grants and stamp duty concessions on top. Below are the federal schemes and some NSW examples — wherever you're buying, we'll confirm what you're eligible for and make sure you don't leave any of it on the table.
First Home Guarantee
Buy with as little as a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Limited places available each financial year.
First Home Super Saver Scheme
Save your deposit inside your super fund and benefit from concessional tax rates, then withdraw it when you're ready to buy.
First Home Buyer Assistance
Stamp duty exemptions or concessions for eligible first home buyers in NSW, depending on the purchase price of the property.
First Home Owner Grant
A $10,000 grant for eligible buyers purchasing or building a new home in NSW valued under the threshold.
Family Home Guarantee
Single parents and legal guardians can buy with as little as a 2% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance.
Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee
Buying outside a major city? This scheme allows eligible buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit in regional Australia.
Eligibility criteria apply to all schemes, and state-based grants and concessions vary. If you're buying outside NSW, we'll identify the equivalent grants and concessions in your state and confirm what you qualify for before lodging any application.
How It Works
Five steps from first chat to front door.
We lay out exactly what happens so nothing catches you off guard, wherever in Australia you're buying.
Free initial chat
We talk through your situation, your deposit, and your timeline. No commitment required.
Borrowing power
We calculate your borrowing capacity and identify which grants and schemes apply to you.
Lender shortlist
We compare 75+ lenders and present you with a shortlist matched to your specific situation.
Pre-approval
We submit your application and secure pre-approval so you can make offers with confidence.
Settlement
We manage the full process through to settlement day and stay available well after.
Common Questions
Things first home buyers ask us most.
If your question isn't here, just call us. There's no such thing as a question that's too basic.
Client Story
A first home buyer who almost gave up.
Sometimes the difference between getting into your first home and staying stuck is having someone who knows which doors are still open.
First Home, New Job, No Problem
Mia had saved a solid deposit and found a property she loved, but had recently changed jobs and was three months into a new role. Every bank she approached directly told her to come back in six months. We found a lender that assessed her application on her overall financial position rather than her employment tenure, secured pre-approval within five days, and she settled on her first home the following month.
The Team
You'll always know who's working on your file.
We keep our client load manageable by design. Every file is handled directly by Lorenzo or Tom, not passed to a junior processor or lost in a queue.
Lorenzo Suarez
Lorenzo runs the end-to-end process for most client files, from initial strategy and lender selection through to submission, approval, and settlement.
If your situation is straightforward, he will make it fast. If it is complex, he will find the way through.
Cert IV Finance & Mortgage Broking
Tom Williams
Tom co-founded Echidna Equity with a clear brief: personal service, genuine lender access, and a business that gives back. He oversees strategy and stays close to every client relationship.
When he says the job is not done until clients start defying gravity, he means it literally.
Cert IV Finance & Mortgage Broking
Why This Matters To Us Too
We put a portion of our own profit behind conservation, not just your first home.
Buying your first home is a big enough milestone without a sales pitch attached to it. But it's worth knowing: a portion of Echidna Equity's profit goes to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, which protects native species and manages land across the country.
We don't think a mortgage broker can solve conservation on its own. But we can make sure some of what we earn from every settlement, including yours, goes toward looking after the country you're about to put down roots in.
A share of our profits is donated to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, supporting the protection of native species and habitat across Australia.
It's a small, ongoing commitment built into how we do business — the same one we made long before you found this page.
Get in Touch
Speak to a broker today.
Fill in the form and Lorenzo or Tom will be in touch within one business day. No obligation, no sales pitch — just a straight answer on what's possible, wherever in Australia you're buying.
Book a free first home buyer chat
We'll get back to you within one business day.
By submitting this form you consent to Echidna Equity contacting you regarding your enquiry. We do not share your details with third parties. General information only — this does not constitute financial or legal advice.
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Ready to take the first step?
Book a free, no-obligation chat with Lorenzo or Tom. We'll tell you exactly where you stand and what's possible, wherever in Australia you're buying.
Echidna Equity Pty Ltd ACN 678 592 713. Credit Representative Number 562940 of Australian Credit Licence 384704. Suite 302, 13/15 Wentworth Ave, Sydney NSW 2000. Echidna Equity is based in Sydney and provides mortgage broking services to clients all over Australia. General information only. This does not constitute financial or legal advice and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Credit criteria, terms and conditions apply. Government schemes and grants are subject to eligibility criteria and availability, vary by state and territory, and may change without notice. Interest rates, fees and product features are subject to change without notice.