AFG Home Loans Retro: the construction-heavy Q&A
AFG Retro is the second-largest AFG white-label shelf on our panel (336 products), with a distinct construction-loan emphasis. Higher upfront fee, zero ongoing. Eight questions about where Retro sits in the AFG family.
What is AFG Retro?
One of seven AFG Home Loans white-label brands — the prime tier with a strong construction and refinance emphasis. Broker-channel only, funded through AFG's wholesale warehouse, regulated under Australian Credit Licence requirements.
336 active products on our panel. Differentiation from sister-brand Options is primarily at the product-design level: Retro's construction loan structure carries slightly more favourable progressive-payment terms than Options, while Retro's fee structure is front-loaded ($2,450 application, $0 ongoing) versus Options' rolled ($995 application, $180 annual).
What is Retro's cheapest rate?
6.19% variable on the Retro Construction product for OO P&I at 60–70% LVR and below. The cheapest rates sit on the construction product family, not the standard purchase/refinance tier — a structural signal that Retro is designed to win construction files.
Why the $2,450 application fee?
Retro structures fees front-loaded: a one-time $2,450 application fee and zero annual ongoing fee. Over a 5-year hold this is break-even with Options' $995 + $180/yr = $1,895 total. Over 10 years Retro becomes cheaper ($2,450 vs $2,795 on Options). Over 15 years the gap widens further.
Is Retro good for construction loans?
Yes — this is the primary reason to use Retro. Construction progressive-payment structure accepts standard fixed-price building contracts, supports up to 95% LVR on land-plus-construction with LMI, and charges 6.19% OO on the construction product below 70% LVR. Most mainstream construction loans price at 6.50%+ at equivalent LVR.
Construction-specific benefits: progress payments released against standard building inspections, flexible redraw during construction phase, conversion to standard variable at completion with no re-documentation required.
Can Retro lend at 95% LVR?
Yes on owner-occupier (via HGS or with LMI) and yes on investment. Max LVR matches Options at 95% both OO and investment — unusual for a non-Big-4 brand on investment LVR. For high-LVR investor files Retro and Options both work.
Does Retro do low-doc?
No. Retro is a full-doc prime product. Two years of lodged tax returns required for self-employed. For low-doc or alt-doc route to AFG Home Loans Bright or Link within the AFG family, or to Pepper Money / RedZed / Liberty outside it.
What is Retro's assessment rate and DTI?
8.50% assessment rate, 6.5x DTI cap. Lower than Options (7.0x DTI) — Retro sits in the standard non-Big-4 tier. For capacity-tight files Options' higher DTI can be decisive; for comfortable DTI files the 6.5x of Retro is fine.
When is Retro the right AFG brand vs Options?
Retro wins when: construction loan file (6.19% vs Options' 6.39%), long-hold borrower (5+ years, the fee math flips positive), borrower prefers zero ongoing fees (maybe for cleaner monthly budgeting).
Options wins when: need 7.0x DTI (Retro 6.5x), shorter hold (the $2,450 upfront doesn't amortise), 10-year fixed rate option (Retro doesn't offer 10-year), need structural product depth (Options has 4× more products).
For most mainstream files outside construction, Options is the default AFG pick. Retro specifically shines on construction and long-hold refinance scenarios.
AFG Retro — April 2026
Is Retro's construction product the right match for your build?
We price AFG Retro against mainstream construction lenders on every build file. Fast, direct comparison — then run the numbers.
Run the comparisonWhat is AFG Home Loans Retro?
A prime white-label home loan brand from Australian Finance Group. Broker-channel only. Construction-heavy positioning within the AFG product family.
How is Retro different from AFG Options?
Retro is smaller shelf (336 vs 1,370), construction-focused, 6.5x DTI (vs Options 7.0x) and front-loaded fee ($2,450 upfront, $0 ongoing vs Options $995 + $180/yr). Options is broader mainstream; Retro specifically wins construction and long-hold scenarios.
What is the cheapest Retro rate?
6.19% variable on Retro Construction OO P&I at 60-70% LVR and below.
Does Retro offer 95% LVR investment?
Yes — matches Options, MyState and Newcastle Permanent as non-Big-4 investment high-LVR pathway.
Is Retro good for low-doc?
No — full-doc only. For low-doc route to AFG Bright, AFG Link, Pepper Money or RedZed.
Richard Esteb
AFG Retro is where I route construction files when the progressive-payment structure needs to be clean and the borrower will hold the loan post-completion for 5+ years. Otherwise Options usually wins within the AFG family. Refreshed 9 March 2026.