Gateway Bank Green Home Loan

The Gateway Bank Green Home Loan rewards homeowners who have installed solar panels and reduced the running cost of their home. The Green Home Loan is easily accessible for most homes that have installed solar. Along with Gateway Bank's regular credit criteria, you'll also need to score at least 4 stars on the Residential Efficiency Scorecard. The Residential Efficiency Scorecard is issued by a government-accredited assessor and helps you identify ways to reduce your energy bills, improve the comfort of your home, and boost its value. 28Watt provides a complimentary scorecard assessment at a time of your choosing if you're refinancing with us.

This loan offers a solid discount of around 0.2%, at 5.70% p.a. on widely available market rates. When you look at the average Australian home loan of $680,000, that could mean a saving of almost $30,000 over a full 30-year term!

How We Rate This Home Loan

 

Gateway Bank’s Green Home Loan is designed for homeowners looking to improve their property’s energy efficiency while securing a more competitive mortgage rate. By installing solar panels and achieving a Residential Efficiency Scorecard rating between 4 and 7 stars, eligible borrowers can access a discounted interest rate of 5.70% p.a.—a small but meaningful reduction from Gateway Bank's standard Premium Package rate.

Qualifying is more accessible than many expect. Most homes that install a suitable solar system can reach the 4 to 7-star range, opening the door to this environmentally conscious home loan. While the rate may not be the absolute lowest on the market, it's very competitive and offers a practical path for those prioritising energy upgrades alongside financial sustainability.

Unsure about your eligibility? 28Watt’s Free Home Assessment makes it easy. We’ll guide you through choosing a solar system that supports both your Scorecard rating and long-term energy savings. Plus, we’ll cover the full cost of the Scorecard assessment if you're refinancing with us —normally $500.

  Example 1 Example 2
Mortgage amount $680,000 $920,000
Current rate 5.81% 5.99%
Annual interest saving $700 $2,700
Annual bill saving $1,000 $6,500
Annual total saving $1,700 $9,200
 
 

 

Not Ready to Switch Loans Yet? Start with a Free Green Home Assessment

If you're curious about how a Green Home Loan could lower your mortgage repayments and power bills, but not quite ready to commit, start with our free online home energy assessment.

With Gateway Bank’s Green Home Loan now offering a discounted 5.70% p.a. variable rate, combining mortgage savings with solar and energy efficiency upgrades has never been more achievable.

Here’s what the 28Watt Free Home Assessment includes:

  • A personalised upgrade plan – Discover which energy improvements (solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps, etc.) will save you the most money and help you qualify for this green loan.

  • A clear, upfront quote – Get a breakdown of your expected energy bill savings and the cost of upgrades.

  • Access to a vetted installer network – We’ll connect you with reliable professionals who use trusted, high-quality equipment.

Even if your home is a few decades old, we’ll show you how a Scorecard rating of between 4 and 7 stars is easier than you may think, making you eligible for Gateway Bank’s Green Home Loan—plus the long term bill savings.

Take the first step toward a lower-interest mortgage and lower power bills. No pressure. No obligation. Just clear advice, and a practical path to savings.

Start your Free Green Home Assessment today and see how much you could save.

 

Start your free home assessment

Residential Efficiency Scorecard (RES) - A Helpful Home Assessment

 

Qualifying for a Green Home Loan with Gateway Bank is now easier than ever, thanks to the Residential Efficiency Scorecard (RES). Other assessment tools that focus solely on construction materials and how the home was built, the RES measures the actual cost of running your home, including heating, cooling, hot water, and appliances. That means if you’ve installed solar panels or plan to, you may already meet the criteria to access a lower-rate green home loan.

Unlike the Green Plus Home Loan where you need to already meet the minimum Scorecard requirements, the Green Home Loan gives you up to 12 months after settlement to complete your upgrades. So even if you’re just planning to install solar or other improvements, you may still be eligible. With eligibility starting from just 4 stars, and a free Scorecard assessment included with 28Watt’s Home Assessment, it’s one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to qualify for a green loan—and start saving on your energy bills and mortgage repayments.

 

 

Option B – Have Three of the Following Features

Your home must have at least three of the following energy-efficient installed

  • Solar panels
  • Solar battery
  • Heat pump hot water system
  • Solar hot water system
  • 6 Star reverse-cycle heating and cooling
  • Air conditioning units rated 6 stars or above

 

  • Rainwater or stormwater tank
  • Double-glazed windows
  • 5 Star+ electric heating (not reverse-cycle)
  • External awnings
  • Solar pool heating
  • Home insulation that meets government standards
  • Energy-efficient LED lighting in at least 75% of the home

Hot tip!

Unlike many other lenders, Gateway Bank offers more flexibility when it comes to who installs your energy upgrades. While some banks require lots of additional checks on solar panels or battery installs Gateway takes a more practical approach.

If you're unsure whether your existing installation meets the criteria for a Green Home Loan, don’t stress. Get in touch with us and we’ll guide you through your options and help you understand what’s needed to qualify.

Am I eligible for the Gateway Green Home Loan?

To qualify for the discounted Green Home Loan, your home must meet one of the following along with Gateway Bank's standard credit criteria:

  • Hold a Residential Efficiency Scorecard rating between 4 and 6.9 stars

  • Achieve a qualifying Scorecard rating within 12 months of loan settlement

  • Include at least three recognised environmental features (e.g. solar, insulation, efficient heating/cooling)

This applies to purchases, refinances, and new builds.

28Watt’s Takeaway

 

The Gateway Bank Green Home Loan is one of the most accessible green finance options currently available in Australia. With a competitive 5.70% p.a. variable rate, it offers a genuine discount for energy-conscious homeowners, without needing to have all upgrades completed upfront. That flexibility makes it especially appealing for buyers or refinancers planning to improve their home’s efficiency over time.

Unlike the stricter Green Plus Home Loan, this product allows you to qualify with a 4-star or higher Residential Efficiency Scorecard (out of 10) and gives you 12 months after settlement to complete your upgrades. That means you can lock in the discounted rate today while planning your solar, insulation, or heating improvements at your own pace.

While the interest rate is slightly higher than Gateway’s Green Plus option, it still undercuts many mainstream variable loans and includes all the premium features of Gateway’s package—including 100% offset, redraw, and fee-free extra repayments.

Book a free 28Watt Home Assessment and we’ll help you qualify—mapping out upgrade options, covering your Scorecard assessment (normally $500), and connecting you with trusted local installers.

Secure a discounted green rate, lower your power bills, and take a practical first step toward a more efficient, sustainable home.

Looking for an even lower rate? See if you qualify for the Green Plus Home Loan →