Key Takeaways
- A rental bond loan covers the one-off deposit when you move into a new place. It's not for ongoing rent, mortgage, or everyday living costs.
- In Western Australia, a standard bond is 4 weeks' rent. The WA Bond Assistance Loan Scheme covers up to 6 weeks', interest-free, if you qualify.
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CashLab's SACC ($300-$2,000) and MACC ($2,001-$5,000) loans both apply here, depending on how much you need.
- If rent is the actual problem, talking to your landlord or agent first is usually faster and cheaper than any loan.
- Centrelink Rent Assistance and community emergency relief are worth checking before you borrow for a rent shortfall specifically.
Bond or rent: not the same thing
Most of what comes up when you search "rental bond loan" assumes you're moving somewhere new. But plenty of people land here because they're already living somewhere and simply can't cover this cycle's rent. Only one of those is something a bond loan actually helps with.
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You're moving into a new rental and need the bond up front, on top of everything else moving costs
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You're already in a lease and rent is due, but the money isn't quite there this time
CashLab doesn't lend for rent, mortgage, groceries, or other everyday living costs. Those are ongoing expenses you budget around, not a one-off like a bond. The rest of this guide focuses on the bond scenario. If rent is what's actually causing the trouble, jump to that section further down.
What a rental bond loan actually is?
There's no separate "rental bond loan" product with its own set of rules. It's the same regulated small loan covered in our SACC and MACC guides, just used for this particular purpose, & nothing about how your application gets assessed changes depending on what the money's actually for.
SACC or MACC, depending on the amount
Most WA bonds fit comfortably inside SACC's $300-$2,000 range on their own. If you're covering bond plus a few other move-in costs at once, the total can push into MACC territory, $2,001-$5,000.
A bond loan isn't the same as the government's Bond Assistance Scheme
These get confused often enough that it's worth stating plainly: a private bond loan and the government's Bond Assistance Loan Scheme are two separate things, run by two separate organizations, with different eligibility and different costs. More on the government option shortly.
The maximum you could ever repay
SACC repayments are legally capped so you'll never owe more than twice your original loan amount, no matter what happens. Borrow $1,000, and the absolute most you could ever be asked to repay, fees included, is $2,000. This is a legal cap under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009, not something that varies by lender.
How much bond actually costs in WA?
WA landlords can ask for up to 4 weeks' rent as a bond. On a $500-a-week rental, that's $2,000 before you've paid a single week of actual rent.
Bond is rarely the only upfront cost either. There's usually a removalist to pay, electricity and internet to connect, an end-of-lease clean at your old place, and sometimes furniture on top of all that. Here's roughly what a typical move adds up to.
| Cost | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| Rental bond (4 weeks' rent, $500/week example | $2,000 |
| Removalist |
$300-$500 |
| Connecting electricity, gas, internet |
$100-$200 |
| End-of-lease clean at your old place |
$200-$300 |
| Total (approx.) | $2,600-$3,000 |
Your own numbers will vary depending on rent, how far you're moving, and how much of it you handle yourself versus hiring out. Treat this as a rough guide rather than an exact quote.
Government bond schemes vs private lenders
WA runs a Bond Assistance Loan Scheme through the Department of Communities, covering up to 6 weeks' rent, interest-free. If you're eligible and have a bit of time up your sleeve, it's genuinely the better option, since it costs you nothing extra to use.
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Covers up to 6 weeks' rent, interest-free
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Income-tested, so not everyone qualifies
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Processing takes time, usually more than a few days
It won't work for everyone though. If you don't meet the income test, or you need the bond paid within days rather than weeks, that's when a private lender becomes the realistic option, not because it's better, but because it's faster and doesn't come with the same eligibility restrictions.
If it’s rent, not bond, that’s the problem
If you're falling short mid-lease, a loan probably isn't the first thing worth reaching for.
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Talk to your agent or landlord first. Most would rather agree to a short delay than start the eviction process, which costs them time and money too
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Check Centrelink Rent Assistance if you're eligible
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Community organizations like Vinnies or Anglicare sometimes cover a one-off rent gap directly
It's worth trying these first, especially for a one-off gap. If none of them work out, give CashLab a call and we'll talk through your situation directly.
How CashLab's rental bond loans work?
CashLab (Villashore Pty Ltd, ABN 67 595 859 152) operates under credit authorisation number 390571.
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CashLab operates physical stores as well as an online application, so you're never limited to a form with no one to talk to. Every fee sits at or below the legal cap
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CashLab looks at your total income rather than where it comes from - payslips, casual shifts, self-employment, and Centrelink payments are all assessed the same way
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Every application involves a look at your last 90 days of banking activity, a legal requirement for responsible lending, not something CashLab added on top
How to apply?
You can apply directly through our online form, which takes just a few minutes to complete. We'll ask for your recent bank statements, some ID, and evidence of your income before reviewing everything and getting back to you with a decision. If you'd rather sit down with someone face to face, both our Midland and Geraldton stores are set up for walk-in applications too.
Important information
This statement is an Australian Government requirement under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009.
It can be expensive to borrow small amounts of money, and borrowing may not solve your money problems. Check your options before borrowing:
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For information about other options for managing bills and debts, call 1800 007 007 from anywhere in Australia to talk to a free and independent financial counsellor.
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Talk to your electricity, gas, phone, or water provider to see if you can work out a payment plan.
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If you're on government benefits, ask if you can receive an advance from Centrelink at servicesaustralia.gov.au/advancepayments.
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The government's MoneySmart website (moneysmart.gov.au) shows you how small amount loans work and suggests other options that may help.
CashLab (Villashore Pty Ltd, ABN 67 595 859 152) operates under credit authorisation number 390571. Comparison rate warning: comparison rates shown elsewhere on our site apply only to the example loan amount and term selected and may not include all fees and charges - different amounts or terms will result in a different comparison rate. Full terms are available in our Target Market Determination and Credit Guide.