Lenders assess income differently depending on how you're employed. Enter gross (before tax) annual amounts — we'll apply the right shading automatically.
How are you employed?
Employed
PAYG full or part-time
100% assessed
Casual
Variable hours
80% assessed
Self-employed
ABN / sole trader / company
80% assessed
Contractor
Fixed-term / consulting
80% assessed
Your income
$
Total gross income before tax and super
$
Annual average — lenders shade variable income
$
80% of gross rental — lenders allow for vacancies
$
CSA-assessed payments count as 100% income
$
FTB A and B, Centrelink — accepted by most lenders
$80,000 /yr
After employment shading applied
HECS / HELP student debt
HECS/HELP repayments are calculated automatically from your income — lenders treat them as a mandatory commitment that reduces your take-home pay, even without fixed monthly repayments.
$0 /mo
Based on your income and ATO repayment schedule
General information: Income shading percentages reflect common lender policy. Actual assessment varies by lender and may depend on payslips, tax returns, and employment history. This is a general estimate only.
Step 2 of 5
Debts & commitments
This is where most calculators get it wrong. Lenders assess credit cards at their full credit limit — not the current balance. A $10,000 card you never use still costs you approximately $35,000 in borrowing power.
Credit cards — enter credit LIMITS, not current balances
Lenders assess 3.8% of your total credit card limit as a monthly commitment — regardless of what you owe. A $15,000 limit = $570/month assessed.
$
$0 /mo
3.8% of limit per month
$
$0 /mo
3.8% of limit per month
$
$0 /mo
Existing loans
$
$
$
Treated as a fixed monthly commitment
$
$0 /mo
Existing home loan (joint)
If the joint mortgage remains in both names, lenders will include the full repayment as your liability — even if your partner is paying it. This changes once the loan is refinanced into one name.
$
Leave as $0 if not applicable or already settled
$0 /mo
Step 3 of 5
Living situation
Lenders compare your declared living expenses against a benchmark called HEM — the Household Expenditure Measure. They use whichever figure is higher. Trying to understate expenses will not help.
Dependants
0
1
2
3
4
5+
No dependants
Each dependant adds approximately $450–550/month to the lender's expense benchmark
Monthly living expenses
$
Rent, food, transport, utilities, subscriptions, clothing — everything you spend
$1,900 /mo
Adelaide — adjusted for your dependants
Your expenses vs HEM benchmarkYour figure used ✓
Lenders will use your declared expenses of $3,200/month as it's above the HEM benchmark.
Loan preferences
%
Current market estimate — ask us for a sharper figure
yrs
30 years is standard, 25 reduces borrowing slightly
APRA requires lenders to add a 3% buffer above your actual rate for assessment. So at 6.50%, you're assessed at 9.50%. This is what limits borrowing power — not your actual repayments.
Step 4 of 5
Your estimate
Based on the information you've entered, here is a rough indicative borrowing estimate using standard lender assessment logic. Adjust the rate below to see how it affects the result.
Rough indicative borrowing estimate
$0
Based on an assessment rate of 9.50% (your rate + 3% APRA buffer). Adjust below.
Adjust interest rate assumption
%
Assessment rate used9.50%
How it's calculated
Gross monthly income
$0
Living expenses
$0
Debt commitments
$0
HECS/HELP repayment
$0
Monthly surplus available
$0
How to increase your borrowing power
If you were to...
Borrowing impact
These figures are illustrative estimates only. Actual impact depends on lender policy and your full financial picture.
⚠ Important: This estimate uses a simplified surplus method and does not reflect individual lender HEM benchmarks, credit scoring, or serviceability calculators. Your actual borrowing capacity may be higher or lower. Speak with Jason or Steve for a proper assessment.
Step 5 of 5
Your next step
This estimate gives you a starting point. A 30-minute conversation with Jason or Steve will give you a real borrowing figure — assessed against actual lender policies and your complete picture.
Your summary
Talk to Jason or Steve — free, private, no pressure
A 30-minute call will tell you what you can actually borrow — with real lenders, real policies, and your complete situation considered. Everything you share is completely confidential.
⚠ General information only: This calculator is not financial advice, credit advice, or a lending commitment. Results are rough estimates. Actual borrowing capacity depends on lender policy, full credit assessment, and your complete financial circumstances. Seek independent financial and legal advice before making decisions. National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007.
