How much can you borrow?

Find out how much you can borrow to buy your next property with our Borrowing Capacity Calculator

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Find Out How Much You Can Borrow Before You Start Looking

Knowing your borrowing capacity before you begin your property search is one of the most practical things you can do. It gives you a realistic price range to work within, saves you time inspecting properties outside your reach, and puts you in a stronger position when you find the right one. The calculator above gives you a useful starting point - but it is important to understand what is behind the number and what can be done to improve it.

What Determines Your Borrowing Capacity?

Lenders assess a combination of factors when calculating how much they are willing to lend. Your income is the primary driver - not just your salary, but all regular income including second jobs, rental income, and in some cases bonuses and allowances. Against that, lenders look at your existing financial commitments: credit card limits, personal loans, car finance, HECS debt and any other liabilities you carry. Even unused credit card limits are factored in, because lenders assume you could draw on them at any time.

Your living expenses also play a role. Lenders apply a serviceability buffer - typically a couple of percentage points above the actual loan rate - to stress-test your ability to manage repayments if rates rise. This buffer is why the figure a lender will approve can sometimes feel conservative relative to what you might expect based on your income alone.

How to Improve Your Borrowing Capacity

There are practical steps that can meaningfully increase what lenders will offer you. Reducing or closing unused credit cards is one of the most effective, since the limit rather than the balance is what lenders count. Paying down personal loans and car finance reduces your ongoing commitments. Consolidating multiple debts into fewer facilities can also help. Making sure all income is documented fully and accurately - particularly for self-employed borrowers or those with multiple income streams - ensures lenders are working from your true financial position rather than an incomplete picture.

If you are buying with a partner, your combined income and liabilities both factor into the assessment. Timing matters too - if you are planning to start a family or change jobs, talking to us before making those changes can help you understand how they might affect your borrowing position.

The Calculator Is a Starting Point - We Do the Rest

The borrowing capacity calculator gives you a helpful early indication, but lenders each assess applications differently. Some are more generous with overtime income, some treat investment income differently, and some have more flexible policies for self-employed applicants. A number from one lender can be quite different from another, and knowing which lender is best suited to your specific circumstances is part of what we do.

Once you have run the calculator, book a free consultation with the TAP team and we will work through your actual position in detail. If you are ready to take the next step, we can move straight into a full assessment and start identifying the right home loan, investment loan or first home buyer pathway for your situation.

Reviews for TAP Mortgage Solutions

DL

Daniel Lingard

Troy was Awesome in assisting with my Home Loan, he done all the hard work and made the paperwork easy for me, I highly recommended the TAP Team

JC

Jim Coman

Troy is exceptional looking out for the best interests of the client. He works tirelessly to achieve the best outcome and keep you informed along the way.

TC

Taylor Christies | Toowoomba

I Absolutely recommend Troy, the service he provides during the process of buying a home is unbeatable. Thanks Troy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I go with a fixed rate loan or variable rate loan?

A mortgage broker will recommend a product based on what you say is most important to you – for example, “pay my loan off quickly” or “guaranteed repayments” or “low cost”. We do however, live by the following; “if you want flexibility take a variable rate loan, if you want budget certainty, take a fixed rate loan, if you want both, then do a split loan.”

Why should I use a Mortgage Broker if I can go directly to a bank?

Lenders will only sell you their own products. Each bank (or lender) has a variety of loan products on offer – low doc, package loans, loans with re-draw facilities, plant and equipment loans, fixed rate loans, interest only, interested in advance, variable, introductory variable… and so on. The issue you face as a consumer is ‘which loan is right for me?’ And that is where your mortgage broker becomes an invaluable resource!

If you go direct to the bank, you will only be offered the loan options available through that one lender. As your mortgage broker, we do all the leg work to find the right loan for your needs. We are across many lenders and all of their loan products, and our sole purpose is to find a suitable loan to match your personal financial circumstances and goals.

Which lenders do you deal with?

We are Connective Brokers and we have access to many lenders. This means we can source you a loan from different lenders to provide you with a variety of options that are suitable for you and your situation.

How much can I borrow?

There are specific factors that need to be considered when determining how much a customer can borrow, such as income, employment position, the deposit saved, current living expenses and any liabilities. Our borrowing calculator can give you a rough idea of how much you may be able to borrow. For a more accurate assessment, please give us a call and we can go into your options and discuss your circumstances in more detail.

Who sets interest rates?

Mortgage brokers do not set rates. The Reserve Bank of Australia meet on the first Tuesday of every month to determine the official cash rate for the country. The lenders then use this information to set their own rates. Lenders also adjust their rates according to their costs and other economic considerations.

Is using a broker more expensive than going direct the bank?

Some brokers charge a fee for their service which they must disclose to you up-front before you engage their services. However, the costs of the loan are the same. These costs depend on the loan and lender you choose. If you want to save on loan costs, just tell us. We can locate loan products from the lenders with the lowest fees and charges.

What does a Mortgage Broker do?

Mortgage brokers are qualified finance industry professionals. They work with you to determine your borrowing needs and objectives, and to help you determine how much you can borrow. Brokers help to ensure that you don’t take out a loan that is not right for you. Like your solicitor, accountant or financial planner, we are specialists in what we do and will provide you with a suitable finance solution to help you achieve your goals. With a mortgage broker, you can expect a more personalised level of service than you would usually receive directly from a lender.

Additionally, our brokers have access to finance products from a wide variety of lenders. This means your broker can compare lending products from different lenders to find a loan that’s just right for you.

Do you charge fees for home and investment loans?

Some mortgage brokers charge a fee for their services and some don’t. When you take out a loan via a mortgage broker, it does not cost you more in loan repayments. Brokers get paid a commission by the lender for bringing new business to them, but this does not impact your interest rate. Some brokers charge a fee for their service. They must disclose this fee upfront to you so that you know what it will cost if you engage their services.

Do you recommend the lender that pays the most commission?

Absolutely not. First of all, there is very little difference between the commissions paid by the various lenders. There is also legislation in our industry called the National Consumer Credit Protection Act (or NCCP), that is designed to protect consumers and ensure ethical and professional standards in the finance industry. We tell you upfront what commission we will be getting from the lender. Our job, our only job, is to find a competitive loan for your needs and objectives.

I am not in your area, can we still work together?

Sure thing! We are mobile brokers so we can come to you.

What loan should I get?

The primary advantage of using a broker for financing large purchases beyond property is the ability to secure finance tailored to your specific financial circumstances and needs. For depreciating assets, the right financing can potentially save you money on interest and fees or help maximise your tax benefits.

Not sure what type of loan suits your current financial situation? That’s where we come in. We provide customised finance solutions selected from a panel of leading lenders, ensuring your loan is working in your best interest. Contact us today to discover how we can assist you.

Ready to get Started?

Book a chat with a Mortgage Broker at TAP Mortgage Solutions today.