Calculators

Borrowing power calculator.

A quick estimate of how much you could borrow for a home, based on your income, living expenses and existing debts.

Borrowing power

A rough guide to how much you may be able to borrow for a home.

Your annual income (before tax)

Partner's annual income (optional)

Monthly living expenses (estimate)

Other monthly debt repayments (cards, car, etc.)

Number of dependants

Estimated borrowing power

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This is a simplified illustration only, assessed over 30 years at a buffered serviceability rate. It is not an offer, a pre-approval, or a guarantee of what any lender will lend. Tax is estimated and not financial advice. Your actual borrowing power depends on each lender's criteria and a full assessment of your circumstances.

Get a real assessment

How this estimate works

The calculator estimates your after-tax income, subtracts your living expenses and debt repayments, and works out the loan that surplus could support over 30 years at a buffered assessment rate.

Lenders use a similar approach, but each one applies its own expense benchmarks, income rules and buffers. That's why two lenders can give the same borrower very different answers.

What affects your borrowing power?

Income: base salary counts in full; overtime, bonuses, commission, rental and self-employed income are treated differently by each lender. See overtime and bonus income.
Living expenses: lenders use the higher of your declared expenses or a benchmark for your household size.
Existing debts: car loans, personal loans and HECS reduce what you can borrow. Credit cards count against you based on the limit, not the balance. See credit cards and your borrowing power.
Dependants: each dependant increases the expense benchmark.
The assessment rate: lenders test your repayments at a rate above the actual rate, so you can cope if rates rise. See serviceability explained.

How to increase your borrowing power

Reducing or closing credit card limits, paying off small debts, trimming discretionary spending in the months before you apply and choosing a lender whose policy suits your income can all lift the figure. The full list is in how much can you actually borrow?

Good to know

Common questions.

No. It's an estimate. Every lender calculates borrowing power differently, and the difference between lenders can be large. We run your numbers across lenders to find your real range.

Lenders assess your repayments at a buffered rate above the actual interest rate, and use expense benchmarks that can be higher than what you actually spend. Both reduce the figure.

No. Nothing is submitted, and no credit check is done.

Lower card limits, clear small debts, add a co-borrower's income or choose a lender that counts more of your income. See the borrowing power guide.

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