Rental Bond Loans ACT

Our Personal Loans can help you pay for rental bonds, moving costs and more in Canberra and the ACT.

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Borrow $3,000 to $25,000
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Same-Day Approval2
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25-48 month terms

Check If You Qualify

With no impact on your credit score!

Check If You Qualify with no impact on your credit score!

*Subject to lending criteria, T's and C's'

*Subject to lending criteria, T's and C's'

Our Personal Loans can help you pay for rental bonds, moving costs and more in Canberra and the ACT.

Decorative graphic of a Coin
Borrow $3,000 to $25,000
Decorative graphic of a clock
Same-Day Approval2
Decorative graphic of a calendar
25-48 month terms

Award-winning lender

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Why get a Rental Bond Loan with Jacaranda Finance?

Rental bonds can leave a huge dent in your savings when starting a new tenancy agreement, especially if you have to pay upfront or by yourself.

A Rental Bond Personal Loan with Jacaranda Finance can allow you to pay that deposit quickly without dipping into your hard-earned savings. Instead, you can repay a loan from $3,000 over manageable instalments starting from 25 months.

The Application Process

We Make Applying Easy

We know how important it is to receive your funds in a timely manner. As a hard-working Australian, you don't have time to waste on needless paperwork.

That’s why Jacaranda Finance makes applying for a Personal Loan to cover rental bonds and moving expenses simple with our fast, 100% online application.

Check if you qualify without affecting your credit score today.

What is the average rent in the ACT?

Home to the nation's capital city, the ACT is a bustling territory with plenty to do and see. While the average income in Canberra is higher than most of Australia, so too can be the cost of living and with that, the cost of renting.

According to the Domain Rental Report for the March 2024 quarter, in Canberra:

  • The average house rent is $685 per week (a 0.7% annual decrease)
  • The average unit rent is $570 per week (a 3.6% annual increase)
  • The average weekly rent for both is $628

These numbers mean Canberra is the second most expensive capital city for renters in Australia, behind only Sydney at $725 per week. It's also much higher than the average weekly rent across the capital cities of $593 per week.

This makes the typical rental bond in the ACT very expensive indeed...

How much is a rental bond in the ACT?

In the ACT, a rental bond can be any amount up to a maximum of 4 weeks of rent. This is set out by the ACT Revenue Office. The lessor may also request two weeks of rent in advance on top of the bond.

Using that average weekly rent of $628, you could therefore expect to pay around $2,512 for the typical rental bond in Canberra. With the added two weeks on top, this number jumps to $3,768.

If you need help paying for these costs, consider a Jacaranda Finance Personal Loan, which starts at $3,000.

Rental Bonds in the ACT: What You Need to Know

We've compiled some key pieces of information below for renters in the ACT that may answer your questions.

Refer to the resources tab at the end for official sources of information when it comes to paying a rental bond in the ACT.

To lodge a bond in the ACT, tenants must complete the Tenant Bond Lodgement form. The lessor or agent will then receive a notification of the completed form and accept the lodgement via the Rental Bonds Portal.

Bonds can only be lodged by direct deposit to the Rental Bonds account. Currently, the Rental Bonds Portal is only available for landlords and agents, but ACT Revenue is developing accounts for tenants and is trialling this with a small group.

The bond money is held with the ACT Revenue Office for the entirety of the lease. It will then be paid back after the tenancy is completed, provided no money is owed for rent, damages to the property, or other costs.

Once the tenancy ends, the bond will be refunded, provided no money is owed for rent, damages to the property, or other costs. Tenants, landlords, or agents can make refund requests through the Rental Bonds Portal.

To ensure you get your bond back, keep the premises in good condition throughout the tenancy. Using bond cleaners can help ensure the property is clean. Documenting the condition of the property with an Entry Condition Report and photos can provide evidence in case of disputes about property damage.

Refunds are processed through the Rental Bonds Portal once both parties agree​.

Landlords or agents can claim the bond for several reasons, including:

  • Breaching the agreement
  • Owing rent
  • Damaging the premises beyond normal wear and tear
  • Leaving the property in a worse condition than when the tenancy started

Claims must be supported by evidence such as receipts and condition reports​.

If any tenants, the landlord, or the agent do not agree with the bond refund amount, they can choose not to sign the Bond Refund Form. The parties that did not sign will be issued a notice, and they can then dispute the refund amount.

In the case of a dispute, ACT Rental Bonds will notify the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) of the situation. Both landlords and co-tenants can apply to ACAT to resolve a tenancy dispute.

The ACT Revenue Office is the governing body for renting and housing in the ACT, and upholds the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 and Residential Tenancies Regulation 1998.

Some non-government services available for tenants include:

Rates & Fees

Our loans are designed to be fast, fair, and, above all, affordable, with no hidden fees. See the table below for a quick guide to our charges, or visit our fees page to learn more. For detailed information about who our products are designed for, please review our Target Market Determinations.
Interest Rate
Comparison Rate
Show the What does it mean? modal
Loan Term
Repayment Cycle
Secured or
Unsecured
Show the What does it mean? modal
Establishment Fees
Show the What does it mean? modal
Monthly Fees
Show the What does it mean? modal
Risk Fee
Show the What does it mean? modal
Comparison Rate Warning*
  • Unsecured
    Personal Loan
    $3,000 - $15,000
    Interest Rate
    17.95% to 27.95%
    Comparison Rate
    Show the About Comparison Rate modal
    32.40% to 42.80%
    Loan Term
    25 - 36 months
    Repayment Cycle
    Weekly, fortnightly or monthly
    Secured or
    Unsecured
    Show the About Security modal
    Unsecured
    Establishment Fees
    Show the About Establishment Fees modal
    $130 to $990
    Monthly Fees
    Show the About Monthly Fees modal
    $24 p/month
    Risk Fee
    Show the About Risk Fee modal
    $0 to $995
    Comparison Rate Warning*
    Comparison Rate Warning: the comparison rate is based on $10,000 over 36 months. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate.
  • Secured
    Personal Loan
    $3,000 - $25,000
    Interest Rate
    14.95% to 27.95%
    Comparison Rate
    Show the About Comparison Rate modal
    29.30% to 42.80%
    Loan Term
    25 - 48 months
    Repayment Cycle
    Weekly, fortnightly or monthly
    Secured or
    Unsecured
    Show the About Security modal
    Secured
    Establishment Fees
    Show the About Establishment Fees modal
    $130 to $990
    Monthly Fees
    Show the About Monthly Fees modal
    $24 p/month
    Risk Fee
    Show the About Risk Fee modal
    $0 to $995
    Comparison Rate Warning*
    Comparison Rate Warning: the comparison rate is based on $10,000 over 36 months. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate.
This is not an offer for credit. The amount you can borrow as well as the offer you receive may vary once you complete an application and all relevant details are captured and verified. Fees, credit criteria and terms and conditions apply. Example tables and calculators are illustrative only and are not intended to be your sole source of information when making a financial decision. Consider whether to get advice from a licensed financial adviser.
  • Unsecured
    Personal Loan
    $3,000 - $15,000
    Interest Rate
    17.95% to 27.95%
    17.95% to 27.95%
    Comparison Rate
    Show the What does it mean? modal
    32.40% to 42.80%
    32.40% to 42.80%
    Loan Term
    25 - 36 months
    25 - 36 months
    Secured or
    Unsecured
    Show the What does it mean? modal
    Unsecured
    Unsecured
    Monthly Fees
    Show the What does it mean? modal
    $24 p/month
    $24 p/month
    Repayment Cycle
    Weekly, fortnightly or monthly
    Weekly, fortnightly or monthly
    Establishment Fees
    Show the What does it mean? modal
    $130 to $990
    $130 to $990
    Risk Fee
    Show the What does it mean? modal
    $0 to $995
    $0 to $995
    Comparison Rate Warning* Comparison Rate Warning: the comparison rate is based on $10,000 over 36 months. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate.
  • Secured
    Personal Loan
    $3,000 - $25,000
    Interest Rate
    14.95% to 27.95%
    14.95% to 27.95%
    Comparison Rate
    Show the What does it mean? modal
    29.30% to 42.80%
    29.30% to 42.80%
    Loan Term
    25 - 48 months
    25 - 48 months
    Secured or
    Unsecured
    Show the What does it mean? modal
    Secured
    Secured
    Monthly Fees
    Show the What does it mean? modal
    $24 p/month
    $24 p/month
    Repayment Cycle
    Weekly, fortnightly or monthly
    Weekly, fortnightly or monthly
    Establishment Fees
    Show the What does it mean? modal
    $130 to $990
    $130 to $990
    Risk Fee
    Show the What does it mean? modal
    $0 to $995
    $0 to $995
    Comparison Rate Warning*
    (Personal Loans)
    Comparison Rate Warning: the comparison rate is based on $10,000 over 36 months. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate.
    Comparison Rate Warning* Comparison Rate Warning: the comparison rate is based on $10,000 over 36 months. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate.

Loan Eligibility Criteria

  • Be at least 19 years of age
  • Be employed on a permanent or casual basis, with consistent income for 90 days
  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident with a fixed address.
  • Have an active email address, phone number, & online banking details in your name.
  • Be in control of your current finances and handling existing financial commitments comfortably.

Information you will need to provide:

  • Basic personal information (i.e. full name, address, D.O.B, number of dependants etc.)
  • Employment status & details
  • Your bank statements*

*This is standard procedure for loan applications across the industry. Data is safely secured with 256-bit SSL encryption. We utilise safe and secure third-party Open Banking service providers to make this quick and easy for you.

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Boost Your Credit Score With Jacaranda

Check your eligibility

Worried about being denied a loan? No stress! At Jacaranda, you can check if you qualify without affecting your credit score!

Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR)

Making all your repayments to us on time could steadily improve your credit score and positively impact your ability to get credit in the future.

ACT Rental Bond Loan FAQs

Need more information? Here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about Rental Bond Loans in the ACT.

A rental bond loan is simply a loan you can use to pay for your rental deposit and any other associated moving costs.

Instead of dipping into your hard-earned savings, a Jacaranda Finance Personal Loan lets you repay the money in manageable instalments starting from 25 months.

A bond is a sum of money paid by a tenant to a landlord or agent before moving into a property. It acts as security against any potential damage or unpaid rent during the lease period. The bond is typically lodged with a government authority, governed by state laws, ensuring fair handling and dispute resolution.

When the lease agreement ends, the bond is refunded to the tenant if there are no outstanding issues. Different rules may apply per state, so we recommend reviewing local legislation for accurate tenancy guidelines.

You can apply for varying loan amounts with Jacaranda, depending on your needs. With our Express Personal Loan, you can borrow between $3,000 and $25,000. 

For detailed information about who our products are designed for, please review our Target Market Determinations.

Use our loan repayment estimate calculator to get a guide on what your repayments could be. To get an idea of what rates, fees and charges are associated with our loans, visit our rates and fees page.

Our loan application process has been designed to be as simple and quick as possible, as we know how important it is to receive your funds in a timely manner. How quickly you can apply for a personal loan and receive your funds will depend on your situation.

Applying for a loan with Jacaranda Finance takes most people 5-12 minutes1, but it could take longer depending on a number of factors such as but not limited to how fast you are at typing or if you have all the required information on hand.

After applying, most customers get an outcome on their loan application on the same day during normal business hours once we have received all of the supporting information we require. We do not guarantee same-day outcomes for all customers.2

Once an applicant has been approved and they have signed a contract, we automatically attempt to release the money to the applicant's bank account. Most customers have a New Payments Platform (NPP) bank account and receive the money in their bank account within 60 seconds. For other customers, the money will be available overnight on weekdays and overnight the following business day if approved on a weekend or public holiday.3

Before you formally apply with Jacaranda, you can check if you qualify for a loan in a way that does not impact your credit score. We do this by performing a 'soft' credit check that is only visible to you.

If you don't meet our initial criteria, your credit score won't be affected.

Once you've checked your eligibility and we've let you know that you do qualify for a loan, you have the option to move forward with a full application.

We will perform a credit assessment during this process, which involves checking your credit report. By submitting a full application, you authorise Jacaranda Finance to obtain a copy of your full credit file, referred to as a 'hard' credit check.

Other lenders will be able to see that you applied for a loan with Jacaranda.

This might impact your credit score.

Review our Privacy Policy for more information.

Repayments on your loan are automatically set up to be deducted via direct debit from your bank account in line with your pay cycle.

You can view your repayments from either the Better Credit app or online portal and contact our friendly customer service team to request any changes that you need.

Download the app on the Google or Apple store today.

Read more: Personal Loan Repayments 101.