What Impacts Your Borrowing Power the Most? A Guide for Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare Home Loans
Nov 3
3 min read

Updated: Nov 6

Maximise Your Borrowing Power
as Healthcare Professionals

Whether you're a doctor buying your first home or a nurse investing in property, your borrowing power, the amount a lender is willing to let you borrow, is key to your property journey. At Healthcare Home Loans, we specialise in helping Healthcare Professionals like you maximise this power and access exclusive benefits. Here’s what impacts your borrowing capacity the most, and how to put yourself in the best position to borrow more.

1. Your Income as a Healthcare Professional and How Lenders View It

As a healthcare professional, your income is a major advantage. Doctors, dentists, specialists, and consultants are often eligible for higher lending limits.

Nurses, allied health professionals, and aged care workers can access tailored assessments that factor in shift loadings, overtime, and government benefits.

Pro tip: Some lenders will assess 100% of your overtime and penalty rates, others won’t. That’s where working with a healthcare-specific broker like us makes all the difference.

2. Your Profession and Employment Type

Banks categorise employment risk differently. Being in a stable, high-demand profession such as nursing, physiotherapy, medicine, or aged care can significantly boost your borrowing power. Permanent full-time roles offer the highest borrowing capacity.

Contract or casual workers can still access great options, especially when they’re in trusted healthcare roles.

We help package your application in a way that speaks the lender’s language.

3. Existing Debt & Expenses

Lenders consider your current liabilities, such as:

Credit cards
Car loans
HELP/HECS debt
Personal loans
Buy Now Pay Later services

Reducing your credit card limit (not just the balance) can instantly increase your borrowing power.

4. Your Credit Score

Your credit report shows lenders how well you manage debt. A strong credit score:

Helps you access better rates
Improves loan approval chances
Can increase how much you can borrow

Tip: Even a missed Afterpay or phone bill can lower your score. Regularly check your credit and keep bills in check.

5. Living Expenses and Lifestyle

Lenders want to know you can manage repayments comfortably. They assess:

Your living costs (rent, groceries, childcare, etc.)
Spending patterns (subscriptions, Uber Eats, etc.)
Savings habits

We work with you to optimise your application by showing responsible financial behaviour, without compromising your lifestyle.

6. Deposit Size and LMI Waivers

The bigger your deposit, the more you can usually borrow. But here’s the game-changer:

Healthcare professionals can often borrow up to 90–95% of the property value without paying
Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
This can save you tens of thousands of dollars and boost your overall borrowing power.

7. Lender Policy Differences

Every lender has a different formula for calculating borrowing capacity. As a healthcare-specific mortgage broker, we:

Understand each lender’s appetite for different healthcare roles
Know which banks are most generous with income types
Match you with lenders who offer maximum borrowing power

FAQs

Can nurses and allied health professionals borrow as much as doctors?

Yes! While doctors often qualify for higher limits, nurses, physios, and other healthcare workers can maximise their borrowing through LMI waivers, accurate income assessments, and smart lender selection.

I’m a shift worker. Will banks accept my overtime and penalty rates?

Some do, some don’t. We work with lenders that assess 100% of your variable income, giving you a stronger borrowing position.

I’m on a visa, can I still borrow?

Yes, in many cases. We regularly help healthcare professionals on temporary and skilled visas access competitive home loans.

How can I increase my borrowing power quickly?

Start by reducing credit card limits, consolidating debts, and speaking with a broker who understands your profession’s benefits.

Maximise Your Borrowing Power with a Healthcare Lending Expert

Healthcare professionals have unique advantages when applying for a home loan, but not all brokers or banks understand them. At Healthcare Home Loans, we tailor every application to help you leverage your income, role, and benefits for the best possible result.

Brrowing Capacity Caculator