How much can I borrow in Sydney 2026?

A dual-income household earning $200,000 combined with no HECS debt, minimal expenses and a $100K deposit can typically borrow around $950K-$1.1M in April 2026 — enough to buy a $1.05M-$1.2M property. Single-income earners on $120K can usually borrow $520K-$620K. Use the calculator above for a personalised estimate.

What is the 30% rule for borrowing capacity?

Australian banks typically allow monthly repayments up to 30% of gross income. At 6.5% interest over 30 years, every $1,000 of monthly repayment capacity equals roughly $158,000 of borrowing. So a $6,000/month repayment limit = ~$950K borrowing capacity.

What reduces my borrowing capacity?

The biggest killers are: (1) HECS/HELP debt — reduces capacity by 5-10% per $10K; (2) credit card limits — banks assume full limit is drawn even if $0 owed; (3) dependants — ~$400/month deduction each; (4) buy-now-pay-later accounts — treated as debt. Cancel unused credit cards before applying.

How much deposit do I need in Sydney?

Standard is 20% of the purchase price to avoid Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI). On a $900K Brighton-Le-Sands unit, that’s $180K + ~$40K buying costs (stamp duty, conveyancing, inspections). First home buyers can get in with 5% deposit via the FHB Guarantee Scheme — no LMI but tighter property-price caps ($900K Sydney limit in 2026).

Do my partner’s income and debts affect my borrowing?

If applying jointly, both incomes are assessed — approximately doubling your capacity. However, both credit files, liabilities and dependants are also counted. If one partner has poor credit or heavy debt, a sole application may actually borrow more — worth modelling both scenarios with your broker.

Is borrowing capacity the same across all banks?

No. Big 4 banks use a 3% serviceability buffer over the actual rate; some tier-2 lenders use 2% or offer different expense assumptions (HEM benchmark vs declared). A good broker can shop the same application across 20+ lenders — borrowing capacity can vary by $100K-$200K between them on identical income.

Does the calculator include stamp duty?

No — this calculator focuses on loan-side borrowing capacity. Your deposit should exclude stamp duty + buying costs. Use our Stamp Duty Calculator and Buying Costs Calculator alongside this for full upfront-cost planning.

How accurate is this borrowing capacity estimate?

This calculator uses simplified serviceability rules (30% gross income cap + 3% debt servicing factor + $400/dependant) which match big-bank outcomes to within ~10%. Actual pre-approval depends on credit file, employment stability, property type and lender policy. Always get a broker pre-approval before house-hunting.

Borrowing Capacity Calculator

Estimate how much you could borrow based on your financial situation

Income Details

Your Annual Income (before tax)

Partner's Annual Income (optional)

Expenses & Commitments

Monthly Living Expenses

Existing Debts (credit cards, loans)

Number of Dependents

Deposit Saved

Loan Details

Interest Rate (%)

Loan Term

You Could Borrow Up To

$474,632

Based on 30 year loan at 6.5% interest

Maximum Property Price

$574,632

With your $100,000 deposit (83% LVR)

Funding Breakdown

$100,000

$474,632

Estimated Repayments

$692

Weekly

$1,385

Fortnightly

$3,000

Monthly

Income Summary

Combined Gross Income$120,000/yr

Est. Monthly Net Income$7,000

Est. Monthly Expenses$3,000

Monthly Surplus$4,000

This is an estimate only. Actual borrowing capacity depends on lender assessment. Speak to a mortgage broker for accurate figures.

Next step· Est. borrow up to $474,632 · Max property $574,632

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