For years, bridging loans were a quiet yet crucial tool in Australia’s property market — a short-term financial bridge that let homeowners buy their next property before selling their current one. But if you’ve tried to find one recently, you may have noticed a worrying trend: many of the big banks have scaled back, restricted, or quietly discontinued their bridging loan products altogether.
This article takes a clear, insider look at which of Australia’s major lenders still offer bridging finance in 2025, what’s changed behind the scenes, and how specialist brokers like Bridging Brokers are stepping in to fill the gap.
The Shrinking Landscape of Bank-Backed Bridging Loans
Bridging loans used to be standard issue at every major bank. Now, they’re something of a rarity. The Australian mortgage market has tightened, and risk appetite has cooled — particularly for products that involve temporary double debt and uncertain repayment timing.
Why? Because bridging loans require lenders to hold two securities (your existing and new property) while trusting that you’ll sell within a set timeframe, usually 6–12 months. If markets slow or valuations drop, that risk lands squarely on the bank’s books. Most lenders cap bridging terms at around 12 months for this reason.
That’s why some lenders have quietly withdrawn from this niche altogether, while others limit who qualifies or impose strict criteria around equity, sale listing, and serviceability.
The Big Four: Who Still Offers Bridging Loans?
1. Commonwealth Bank (CBA)
CBA remains one of the few major banks still offering bridging finance to both owner-occupiers and investors. CBA publicly confirms it can offer eligible applicants bridging loans with a maximum term of up to 12 months.
- Term: Up to 12 months (6 for an established property, up to 12 for construction/new build).
- Repayments: Interest-only, with interest capitalisation available (you can defer repayments and let interest accrue during the bridging period).
- Conditions: Your current property generally needs to be listed for sale before approval.
- Rates: Usually based on the standard variable rate plus a small premium during the bridging period.
CBA is relatively flexible compared to some peers, but assessments can be slow and heavily documented because of responsible lending checks.
2. National Australia Bank (NAB)
NAB continues to actively promote “buy next home” style bridging solutions and publicly publishes bridging guidance, positioning it as an option when you need to buy first and sell later.
- Term: Commonly 6–12 months.
- Rates: The bridging portion is typically higher than a standard home loan rate (often in the ~8–9% p.a. range), while the ongoing/end loan then reverts closer to NAB’s standard variable home loan rates (often closer to the 6%–7% p.a. range for owner-occupiers, depending on LVR and product).
- Equity Requirement: Usually significant — at least ~20% total equity position after sale.
- Exit Strategy: You must show a credible plan to sell within the term.
NAB suits borrowers with strong income, realistic sale expectations, and a desire to stay with a major bank brand while still being able to act quickly in a competitive market.
3. Westpac
Westpac still provides bridging-style “relocation” lending, but it’s not loudly advertised. The product is typically available through direct lender conversations or via brokers rather than splashy public marketing.
- Term: Often up to 12 months for eligible borrowers.
- Repayments: Frequently interest-only. In some cases, interest can be capitalised so you’re not making full repayments while carrying two properties — but this depends on equity and loan-to-value ratio.
- Conditions: Your current property generally needs to be listed or already under contract, which lowers Westpac’s risk window.
- Rates: Typically aligned to Westpac’s variable home loan rate with a small “bridging premium.”
Westpac leans hard on valuation strength. If you’ve got equity and proof you’re genuinely selling, they’re more open. If not, it’s a harder conversation.
4. ANZ
ANZ is still in the game — cautiously. Compared to CBA and NAB, ANZ tends to be more conservative and prefers lower-risk “closed bridge” scenarios where you already have a signed sale contract on your existing property.
- Term: Commonly capped at around 6 months.
- Repayments: Typically interest-only. Interest capitalisation (no repayments during the bridging period) may be limited or unavailable unless serviceability is very strong.
- Conditions: Strong exit plan required, usually proof of sale or a near-certain sale timeline.
- Who it suits: Often better for existing ANZ customers who’ve already secured a buyer for their old home.
The Quiet Exits: Banks That Have Withdrawn or Restricted Access
Macquarie Bank
Once known for flexible lending, Macquarie no longer advertises a standard retail bridging loan. Approval now tends to be case-by-case and skewed toward higher-net-worth borrowers, not typical home movers.
ING
ING does not offer traditional residential bridging loans. Their credit model doesn’t support the temporary double-debt exposure that bridging finance requires.
Suncorp Bank
Suncorp has stepped back from mainstream bridging. Retail bridging availability has been wound down, with access largely restricted and not promoted publicly.
Bankwest
Bankwest, now operating under Commonwealth Bank ownership, does not actively offer new bridging loans to fresh applicants. New customers are generally referred elsewhere; internal refinances only apply in limited legacy scenarios.
Bendigo Bank
Bendigo still offers bridging — but typically only as a “closed bridge,” meaning you must already have a signed contract of sale. That knocks out many buyers who need to secure their next home before they’ve sold the current one.
Why the Shift Away from Bridging?
Behind the scenes, risk management is the driver. Bridging loans involve a complex calculation of Peak Debt (your total combined debt across both properties during the overlap) and End Debt (the final mortgage you’ll carry once your old home sells and pays down the balance).
In a volatile market, banks prefer simplicity and certainty. Bridging loans rely on unknowns:
- How quickly will the old home sell?
- What will it sell for?
- Will rates move before settlement?
On top of that, responsible lending rules under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 force lenders to prove the loan is affordable and the exit strategy is realistic. Many banks would rather not carry that complexity on their books, so they either limit access or quietly step back.
The Rise of Specialist Lenders and Brokers
As the big banks tighten, specialist non-bank lenders — including providers like Bridgit — have stepped in. These lenders openly target buy-now-sell-later borrowers with fast approvals and high flexibility. Some even market no monthly repayments during the bridging term and terms of up to 12–24 months, well beyond many banks’ comfort zones.
- Longer terms: Up to 12 months is common — some specialist products stretch to as much as 24 months for certain scenarios.
- Trade-off: Rates are typically higher than standard bank home loans, often in the high single digits to low double digits (8–10%+ p.a.).
For buyers who need to act fast — upsizing families, downsizers locking in a villa, interstate movers — these lenders can be the difference between securing the next home and missing it.
Why Bridging Brokers Are Filling the Gap
At Bridging Brokers, bridging finance isn’t an afterthought — it’s the entire business. While most general brokers might only handle a couple of bridging cases a year, we handle them constantly, across states and lender types.
We help clients:
- Identify which lenders are still open to bridging finance right now.
- Compare big-bank vs. non-bank solutions.
- Map out the sale timeline and exit strategy.
- Handle the paperwork, valuations, approvals, and lender conditions from start to finish.
Whether you’re upgrading, downsizing, building, or relocating interstate, we can usually find a viable pathway — even if your current bank says “no.”
Quick Comparison: Major Bank vs Specialist Bridging Lender
| Feature | Major Bank (e.g. NAB, CBA) | Specialist Lender (e.g. Bridgit) |
|---|---|---|
| Term | 6–12 months (12 months max is common) | Up to 12 months, sometimes up to 24 months |
| Interest | ~6–9% p.a. depending on structure and LVR | ~8–10%+ p.a., sometimes higher |
| Repayments | Interest-only or capitalised interest (case by case) | Often no monthly repayments; interest fully capitalised |
| Approval Time | 2–4 weeks typical | 1–5 days typical |
| Flexibility | Limited, policy-driven | High, case-by-case |
| Equity Required | ~20% minimum post-sale position | Case-by-case, often up to 80% LVR |
| Ideal For | Risk-averse borrowers who want a big-bank brand | Time-sensitive buyers who need to act now |
What It Means for Home Movers in 2025
The big banks haven’t abandoned bridging finance completely — but they’ve made it harder to access and slower to approve. Meanwhile, Australian buyers still face the same challenge: how to buy their next home before selling the current one.
If your bank can’t offer what you need, it doesn’t mean bridging is off the table. It just means you need to know where to look — and which lenders are actually active in this niche today.
Need a Bridging Loan Now? Talk to the Specialists
At Bridging Brokers, we specialise exclusively in bridging loans — helping Australian homeowners buy first, sell later, and move stress-free.
Whether you want a quick quote, lender comparison, or tailored finance plan, our expert brokers are available 7 days a week.
Ready to bridge your next move?
Call Bridging Brokers on 04 0186 0361 or visit bridgingbrokers.com.au/contact to speak with a bridging finance specialist today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do Australian banks still offer bridging loans in 2025?
Yes, some Australian banks still offer bridging loans in 2025, including Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac, and ANZ. However, lending criteria have become stricter, with tighter serviceability checks, shorter terms, and stronger equity requirements.
2. How long do bridging loans last in Australia?
Most bridging loans offered by major Australian banks have terms between 6 and 12 months. Some specialist non-bank lenders may offer longer terms, sometimes extending up to 24 months depending on the scenario.
3. What interest rates apply to bridging loans?
Interest rates for bridging loans usually sit higher than standard home loan rates. Major banks may charge roughly 6–9% per annum, while specialist lenders often range between 8–10% or more, depending on risk and loan structure.
4. What is peak debt in a bridging loan?
Peak debt refers to the maximum combined loan amount during the bridging period, which includes the remaining loan on your current property plus the loan required to purchase the new property. Once the existing property sells, the proceeds reduce the loan to the final “end debt”.
5. Can you get a bridging loan without selling your current home first?
Yes, this is known as an open bridging loan, where the borrower buys a new property before selling the existing one. However, some lenders only offer closed bridging loans, which require a signed sale contract before the loan is approved.
6. Are bridging loans harder to get now?
Yes. Many lenders have tightened lending criteria due to risk concerns, responsible lending regulations, and property market volatility. Borrowers now often need stronger equity positions and clear exit strategies.
7. What is the advantage of using a bridging loan broker?
A specialist bridging loan broker can compare lenders, structure the peak and end debt correctly, manage lender conditions, and identify lenders actively offering bridging finance, which can significantly improve approval chances.
