New CommBank data shows more Australians are starting their home buying journey online, signalling a shift in consumer behaviour.
3 November 2025
By the numbers:
- CommBank online home loan application submissions are five times higher year-on-year.
- Online application submissions by first home buyers have increased fourfold year-on-year.
- Customers aged 31-40 make up 34 per cent of all online application submissions, while customers aged 21-30 are the fastest growing cohort.
More people starting their home loan journey online
Just as Australians have gone digital for dating, shopping and job hunting, they’re now turning online for one of life’s biggest milestones – buying a home.
CBA’s digital home loan channel, the newest way to apply, has become the bank’s fastest growing with the number of people submitting online home loan applications increasing five times compared to a year ago.
Executive General Manager of Home Buying, Marcos Meneguzzi said: “We’ve seen strong growth in the digital channel because customers want more flexibility over how they start the process.”
“As Australia’s largest lender, we can see this trend across all types of customers. People are blending digital and personal support to get the experience that suits them best.”
The data shows a broader shift in behaviour, with more people comfortable researching their options, checking their borrowing power and learning what’s achievable before applying for their home loan online.
Younger Australians are leading the shift, with online home loan applications from people in their twenties now six times higher than a year ago, and those in their thirties now making up the largest share of digital applicants (34 per cent). But it’s not just younger buyers embracing the change, more experienced customers are joining them, with applications from people in their fifties roughly quadrupling in the same period.
First home buyers’ behavioural shift
First home buyers are showing one of the most striking behavioural shifts in CBA’s digital home loan channel, with online applications more than quadrupling year-on-year. Despite having never been through the process before, many are now choosing to start their home buying journey online before being connected with a lender.
“Traditionally, first home buyers have preferred a face-to-face experience, but that’s starting to change,” Marcos said.
“Just as they’re comfortable researching and shopping online for everyday purchases, they’re now applying the same habits to bigger decisions like buying a home.”
When it comes to people who have bought a home before, online applications have increased six times, year-on-year.
“This isn’t about moving away from our existing channels – it’s about providing choice and additional support through lenders once an application is submitted.” Marcos said.
“Some customers prefer to begin online, others want to talk in person. What matters is that they can choose what works best for them.”
CBA’s digital channel allows customers to apply online for a range of products, including the Standard Variable Rate, Fixed Rate, Simple, and Digi Home Loans. Tools like the borrowing power and stamp duty calculators are also helping people estimate costs and feel more confident when applying online.
About the data: Data compares the number of home loan applications submitted online in September 2025 with the same period in 2024.