Applying for a home loan is thrilling, but one of the biggest questions is how fast can a home loan approval happen? In Australia, timing can vary widely depending on the lender, your application readiness, and whether you’re seeking pre-approval or full approval.
Pre-approval (Conditional Approval): Gives you a borrowing estimate pending final checks. Great for house hunting with confidence.
Formal (Unconditional) Approval: Final go-ahead after the lender reviews your full financial situation and the property.
Pre-approval is usually provided within 1–5 business days. Full approval often takes 3–10 business days, varying by complexity and lender. End-to-end including settlement may range from 4–6 weeks, depending on property valuation and document completeness.
Here’s a snapshot of approval timeframes offered by several prominent Australian lenders:
Institution |
Fast Unconditional / “Simple case” Approval Time |
Typical / Average Approval Time |
|---|---|---|
CommBank (CBA) |
1 business day (some report approvals in minutes for simple cases) (InfoChoice.com.au) |
4–7 business days |
NAB |
<1 business day for many simple cases; about 35% in under 1 hour; 50% within 24 hours for “eligible” cases (InfoChoice.com.au) |
~7 business days (for more complex ones) |
Westpac |
1 business day (conditional) (InfoChoice.com.au) |
2–4 business days (brokers report this as typical) |
ANZ |
1 business day for simpler cases (InfoChoice.com.au) |
2–5 business days (depending on complexity) |
Macquarie |
~4 hours in ideal/simple cases (InfoChoice.com.au) |
1 business day in many cases |
Bank of Queensland (BOQ) |
— (no published “fast case”) |
~2 business days (conditional) |
AMP |
~3 business days for straightforward cases (InfoChoice.com.au) |
~5 business days (3 + ~2 extra days if conditions) |
ING |
— |
3–4 business days |
Suncorp |
<2 business days |
~3 business days |
loans.com.au |
— |
2–3 business days (for typical cases) |
Tiimely Home |
<1 hour (in very ideal case) (InfoChoice.com.au) |
Same day (for simple) |
UBank |
1 business day |
~5 business days |
Unloan |
Same day |
Up to 5 business days |
Sources: Updated 14/10/25 – InfoChoice, Broker Kit group original research, bank websites, and broker correspondence, mid-year 2025. Not all brokers have access to all lenders. Lender approval times are dynamic. Consult with your broker for actual, achievable timings before committing to any timeframes.
Speed Factors:
Digital tools and automated valuations accelerate decisions.
Straightforward financial situations and complete documentation keep things moving.
Slowing Factors:
Complex financial setups (e.g. self-employment, high LVR, LMI).
Pending or manual property valuations.
Loan types requiring extra checks (e.g., construction, investment, unusual properties).
Incomplete or late documentation.
Fast approvals can be a game-changer, particularly in hot markets or auctions where timelines are tight. Having approval on hand—preferably pre-approval—can strengthen your position and reduce the risk of missing out.
A good mortgage broker will:
Identify lenders most likely to approve quickly based on your profile.
Help ensure your documentation is complete at the outset.
Chase the process on your behalf to avoid unnecessary delays.
