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Most Australian banks will lend you roughly 5–6 times your gross annual income, but the exact amount depends on your expenses, existing debts, dependants, and the lender's assessment criteria. A person earning $100,000 might borrow $500,000–$600,000; on $150,000, approximately $7
No. While all follow APRA guidelines (including the 3% buffer), banks differ in how they assess income (especially bonuses, overtime, and rental income), which expense benchmarks they use, and their internal risk appetite. This is why a broker can help — they know which lenders are more generous for your situation.
APRA requires banks to test your ability to repay at the loan's product rate plus a 3% buffer. If the rate is 6.22%, the bank assesses you at 9.52%. This ensures you can still afford repayments if rates rise.
Yes. Two incomes significantly increase borrowing power because expenses don't double (HEM for a couple is roughly 1.4x a single person). Two people earning $80,000 each can typically borrow 30–50% more than one person earning $160,000.
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