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Government Home Equity Access Scheme (HEAS) vs Reverse Mortgage Loans

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Unlock Funds with the Home Equity Access Scheme

Unlock Funds with the Home Equity Access Scheme

Formerly known as Pension Loan Scheme or PLS, The Home Equity Access Scheme, or HEAS, is a government-backed loan scheme that offers older Australians a financial safety net. It is often referred to as ‘the government Reverse Mortgage’.

Whilst it has elements in common with Reverse Mortgage loans such as compounding interest, it is actually a loan of pension entitlements, and as such is not a regulated credit product.

It aims to help those who are receiving Age Pension by offering a loan of further entitlements, in the way of fortnightly additional payments (or small lump sums). This income stream is generated by borrowing against the equity of their home.

Unlike traditional mortgages, the loan’s repayment is often deferred until the home is sold or the borrower passes away.

Benefits of the ‘Government Reverse Mortgage’ (HEAS)?

One of the biggest benefits of HEAS is its security and simplicity. As a government-backed home equity release scheme, it arguably offers greater ease of use and stability to borrowers compared to some private sector options.

Below are other benefits of HEAS:

  • No Tax on equity drawdowns:
    One of the standout perks of the HEAS is that it allows borrowers to increase their cash flow without worrying about taxes. These home equity drawdowns feel like tax-free ‘income’ and are a significant advantage for pensioners who want to boost their finances.
  • Keep Your Home:
    With the HEAS, borrowers continue to own their homes and live in them. This feature offers a sense of security and comfort, particularly critical during the golden years of retirement.
  • Borrowing with Boundaries:
    The HEAS comes with a No Negative Equity Guarantee, which places a cap on the amount you can borrow. This protective measure discourages over-borrowing and safeguards borrowers from potential financial turmoil down the road.

See here: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/home-equity-access-scheme

Benefits of the ‘Government Reverse Mortgage’ (HEAS)?

Reverse Mortgages vs. Government HEAS: Which Is Right for You?

If you're considering a government-backed loan like the Home Equity Access Scheme (HEAS), it's important to know the key differences between HEAS and a Reverse Mortgage.

Home Equity Access Scheme (HEAS)

  • Approval Time: 2 to 3 months
  • Loan Amount: Capped at $13,350 for singles, $20,850 for couples
  • Flexibility: Limited options for receiving funds (fortnightly payments, small lump sums)
  • Eligibility: Must be of Age Pension age and meet strict government criteria
  • Access to Funds After HEAS: Takes up to 3 months to close the HEAS loan
  • Government Regulation: Not regulated under credit law but offers protections like the No Negative Equity Guarantee.
  • Interest Rate: Lower interest rate

Reverse Mortgage

  • Approval Time: 5 to 7 days
  • Loan Amount: Higher loan amounts available
  • Flexibility: Flexible—lump sum, regular payments, or both
  • Eligibility: For homeowners, typically 60+ years of age
  • Access to Funds After HEAS: Funds available faster once HEAS is closed
  • Government Regulation: Regulated under the National Consumer Credit Protection (NCCP) code
  • Interest Rate: Potentially higher interest rates compared to HEAS
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When a Reverse Mortgage May Be the Better Option

When deciding between a Reverse Mortgage and the government's HEAS, it’s essential to consider which option better aligns with your financial needs and goals. Here are some important factors that may make Reverse Mortgages the more attractive choice:

  • Urgency of Funds:
    If you need access to funds quickly, Reverse Mortgages generally offer faster approval and disbursement times. While the HEAS can take up to 2-3 months for approval, private lenders tend to process Reverse Mortgage applications more swiftly, which is particularly helpful in urgent situations where time is a critical factor
  • Larger Loan Sizes:
    Reverse Mortgages allow for much larger loan amounts compared to the HEAS. The HEAS has strict limits on how much you can borrow, which may not be enough if you have substantial financial needs. On the other hand, Reverse Mortgages provide more flexibility, enabling you to access more of your home equity without the same level of restriction.
  • Cash Reserve Feature:
    One of the standout benefits of Reverse Mortgages is the 'cash reserve' feature, which is not available under the HEAS. This feature acts as a line of credit, allowing you to have equity set aside for future use without being charged interest until you actually withdraw the funds. It provides a higher level of flexibility and peace of mind, knowing that extra funds are available when needed without immediately increasing your loan balance.
reverse mortgage better option

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Rated 4.9 stars on

“Sincere thanks to Andrew and Seniors First .. the loan has been life changing.”

Deborah Collett

Josie S. profile pictureJosie S.
02:02 09 Jan 26
Seniors First provided plenty of information on the concept of reverse mortgages, also referring us to the government website, for calculators showing scenarios of how the loan and house value would progress. Richard Chapman answered all our quesions in a clear, easily-understandable way and guided us through the process, to ensure that we and our children fully understood how reverse mortgages operate. With Richard's experience we were able to find a lender that suited the kind of loan we would need. We could see that the reverse mortgage would allow us to remain in our own home, and have funds available if needed later for aged care, without selling our home of 25 years and moving away. All in all, a very satisfactory experience with Richard and Seniors First.
Gavin and Josie Swallow
mark T. profile picturemark T.
01:31 30 Dec 25
I am very happy to recommend Seniors First Reverse Mortgage Brokers, especially Palka as she has been very polite and efficient in all aspects of this process. Always ready to explain thoroughly any questions or doubts I may have had and always with a friendly /no trouble response. Cannot recommend these folk enough,
Cheryl M. profile pictureCheryl M.
01:38 27 Dec 25
Negotiating a Reverse Mortgage with Adam Oakley was considerably easier than we expected.
Adam was quick to allay our hesitance in dealing with an interstate broker and subsequent technological challenges including biometric ID.
Adam provided sound advice on the product best suited to our circumstances and maintained regular contact with us ensuring we were comfortable with the process and updating us on the progress of our application.
We researched reverse mortgages before committing and were impressed with Seniors Firsts webinars, FAQs and online information.
We look forward to maintaining contact with Seniors First and Adam in forthcoming years in reviewing our loan to ensure that it meets our future requirements.
Ian Y. profile pictureIan Y.
02:16 25 Dec 25
I did quite a bit of research on reverse mortgages and also watched at least 6 webinars on line before contacting Seniors First. I was put in touch with one of their brokers (Palka Kumar). She was very professional and knowledgeable about the whole process of setting up the reverse mortgage. I live in Tasmania but this was not a problem and in a matter of weeks everything was approved - I had the ideal criteria for this product and my wife and I are extremely pleased with the entire way the business was conducted. Seniors First know what they are doing and we thank you for all your assistance.
Marg B. profile pictureMarg B.
04:51 17 Dec 25
My husband and i have recently used Seniors First for securing a loan for the purchase of a new car. We were lucky to be assisted by Palka who has been wonderful since we first made contact wirh Seniors First. Palka has been incredibly helpful, has explained very clearly what we need to do, and has "held my hand" on several occoasions. Grateful thanks to Palka for her dedication to her clients.
Christine T. profile pictureChristine T.
02:08 16 Dec 25
Very good company to deal with. The consultant Adam Oakley was excellent. He was transparent and informative, polite and attentive. Could not recommend highly enough. He made a difficult situation easy and helped us old guys through the technology.
Nigel C. profile pictureNigel C.
07:33 10 Dec 25
Thank you, Angela, for your great support in helping us secure a Reverse Mortgage.
You were professional and knowledgeable in all our dealings and kept us in the picture at every stage of the process to ensure a smooth Reverse Mortgage journey.
You also clearly communicated all the options available on Reverse Mortgages so we could make fully informed decisions.
Most importantly, you quickly responded to and answered all our questions ( and there were many ! )
We strongly recommend Angela at Seniors First to all potential clients.
Anthony L. profile pictureAnthony L.
00:14 10 Dec 25
Right from the beginning Palka Kumar was fantastic. She ensured that we really understood the process, kept us informed, provided the appropriate links. Ensured that we ticked all the right boxes etc.
nothing was too much trouble
Her high level of professionalism and empathetic manner was always reassuring and for that we were fortunate to have her as our broker
brian C. profile picturebrian C.
02:49 09 Dec 25
Not knowing where to start refinancing our Reverse Mortgage, we saw Seniors First add and decided to try them for a starting point. We were lucky enough to have Adam Oakly assigned to our case. He did research & found the most suitable Reverse Mortgage lender that suited our cause. Adam was a great help & kept in contact until our loan was approved. Seniors First & Adam did a great job! Would most definitely recommend them. Brian & Pat.
Ray and Carolyn D. profile pictureRay and Carolyn D.
00:35 09 Dec 25
We were/are clients of Palka Kumar. We were impressed with her friendly nature and boundless knowledge of the industry. We had a number of Tele-conferences with her as she guided us through the process and let us know from the outset that she was with us the whole way through to conclusion. Palka was always available to answer any questions and kept us informed as the process went through the various stages. We have nothing but praise and appreciation for Palkas commitment to her clients. She always made us feel assured and relaxed about a sometimes daunting process. Outstanding.
Tina profile pictureTina
19:01 28 Nov 25
Andrew was very helpful and patient when it came to applying for our reverse mortgage on line. He always made us feel like we had his whole attention and never kept us waiting when we had any queries or problems with the forms. Would recommend him to anybody.
Kim B. profile pictureKim B.
18:57 27 Nov 25
We recently worked with Seema at Seniors First - Reverse Mortgage Brokers and her service was EXCEPTIONAL! She explained the process clearly, kept us informed every step of the way, and ensured we were comfortable with the progress of our application. Thanks to Seema, we achieved a great outcome! Highly recommend Seniors First and Seema - thanks for making a big decision feel easy!
Lynn F. profile pictureLynn F.
07:19 27 Nov 25
From the moment we called and spoke with Adam Oakley at Seniors First about a reverse mortgage, we were made to feel very comfortable with his warm, but honest approach. We were able to ask questions without feeling pressured and the amount of knowledge and information Adam shared with us, made the decision making so much easier. Another valuable trait of Adam’s is in his communication. He shared his direct line with us and when he wasn’t available, always returned our calls and answered emails promptly.
Adam walked us through each step of the process with ease, and we never felt alone at anytime. His recommendations were professional and unbiased and we didn’t hesitate to listen to his advice. I don’t know of any other bank or financial institution that would take the time and so much care, to ensure that their clients were happy. We certainly are, we can’t recommend Adam Oakley at Seniors First enough. It was a very big, life changing decision we had to consider and we feel grateful to have found Adam to see it through with us. Once again, thank you Adam for your time and patience. We couldn’t be happier. You are a true professional.
Jodie M. profile pictureJodie M.
01:44 24 Nov 25
I recently applied for a Reverse Mortgage through Seniors First and would have to say it was the easiest loan I have ever got in my life.
Between Seniors First and my Broker Adam Oakley they made the whole application from start to finish a breeze.
The Professionalism and Guidance I got from Adam to make sure I understood everything before he advised on the right product that best suited me.
I would highly recommend Seniors First and Adam to anyone interested in a Reverse Mortgage.
Mike Wilton (. profile pictureMike Wilton (.
01:32 24 Nov 25
Palka Kumar assisted us through the whole process, to its completion. She was brilliant. Without her assistance, the application would have been so difficult. But she guided us at every step to completion. What wonderful service - always available with wise advice, and encouragement along the way. Thank you Palka for your counsel and help. Mike and Loris.

*Note: Seniors First is a licensed, finance broker specialising in Reverse Mortgage and equity release finance. It is not affiliated with Centrelink, or an agent for the Home Equity Access Scheme. The webinar is for informational purposes only to assist in the understanding of how commercially available Reverse Mortgages differ from the Home Equity Scheme, and the circumstances in which they might be a suitable choice.

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