Mortgage broker in Canberra
Last checked
As at Next checkZafar Karim is a mortgage broker who works with Canberra clients. He arranges home loans from lenders on Mortgage Australia Group's panel.
- By phone and video call (for example Zoom)
- No stamp duty for eligible buyers from 1 July 2026, no price cap
- The ACT has no first home owner grant
- Federal scheme cap in the ACT: $1,000,000
Working with Zafar in Canberra
Zafar is based in Melbourne and works with Canberra clients by phone and video call (for example Zoom).
A first call takes about 15 minutes. Zafar asks what you are trying to do, your timeframe and what matters most to you in a loan. Before he gives any credit assistance, you receive his Credit Guide.
Home buyer support in the ACT
The ACT pays no first home owner grant, but eligible buyers pay no stamp duty at any price from 1 July 2026.[2][1] Our ACT first home buyer guide explains the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, who qualifies and worked examples.
| Item | Canberra (ACT) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First home owner grant # | None | [2] |
| Home Buyer Concession Scheme # | No duty for eligible buyers; no income test and no value cap (from 1 July 2026) | [1] |
| Main conditions # | No property owned in the last 5 years; live in the home for 12 months | [1] |
| 5% Deposit Scheme cap # | $1,000,000 across the ACT | [5] |
| Help to Buy cap # | $1,000,000 across the ACT | [4] |
So in the ACT, the federal price cap matters more than the duty rules. A home over $1,000,000 is outside both federal schemes, but the duty concession can still apply. Compare the ACT with every state in our first home buyer tracker.
Islamic home finance: since 1 July 2024 the ACT has exempted some alternate finance transactions from duty.[3] See Islamic home finance.
Buying or refinancing in Canberra? Talk to Zafar.
Request a call Call 0402 357 860
Or ask Zafar to call you back
What clients ask most
- How much deposit do I need?
- How does pre-approval work, and how long does it last?
- Should I split my loan between fixed and variable?
- Is it worth refinancing my current loan?
- Can a broker help Defence members, and what about DHOAS?
Check us before you call
Moneysmart recommends checking that any broker is licensed or is a representative of a licensee. Search ASIC's Professional Registers for Credit Representative 581277. Our About page shows how.
Worth weighing up
- Zafar compares loans from his lender panel, which does not include every lender.
- Approval is always the lender's decision, made on its own criteria.
- The ACT Revenue Office decides eligibility for the concession, and its rules can change.
General information only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, and it is not a recommendation to enter into any credit contract.
What changed
- : ACT Home Buyer Concession Scheme: no duty for eligible buyers. The income test and the property value limit were removed.[1]
Page history: first published . ACT concession re-checked on the ACT Revenue Office page on .
Talk to Zafar
Request a short first call by phone or video.
Request a call Call 0402 357 860
Sources
- ACT Revenue Office, About the Home Buyer Concession Scheme. Retrieved .
- ACT Revenue Office, First Home Owner Grant. Retrieved .
- ACT Revenue Office, Alternate finance transactions. Retrieved .
- Housing Australia (firsthomebuyers.gov.au), Help to Buy property price caps. Retrieved .
- Housing Australia (firsthomebuyers.gov.au), Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme fact sheet (headed 1 July 2026). Retrieved .
Common questions
Can I work with Zafar if I live in Canberra?
Yes. Zafar is based in Melbourne and works with Canberra clients by phone and video call. In-person appointments are in Melbourne.
Do first home buyers pay stamp duty in the ACT?
Eligible buyers pay no duty under the ACT's Home Buyer Concession Scheme, which is not limited to first home buyers. Our ACT first home buyer guide has the full rules.
What is the 5% Deposit Scheme price cap in Canberra?
$1,000,000 across the ACT. The Help to Buy cap is also $1,000,000.
Talk to Zafar
Call Zafar, request a call back or send a message. Zafar works with clients across Australia by phone and video, and meets clients in person in Melbourne.