Does this work for Australian home loans?
Yes. You can model standard principal-and-interest repayments, view borrowing power against typical DTI-style caps used for quick planning, and inspect amortisation over your chosen term. Australian lenders also apply expense benchmarks (HEM) and floor rates that are proprietary, so final approvals may differ.
Can I use interest-only mode?
Yes. Interest-only lowers the monthly repayment during the IO period but does not build equity through principal reduction. APRA-regulated lenders cap higher-risk IO lending; treat IO outputs as exploratory unless your bank has confirmed IO availability for your LVR.
How is borrowing power estimated?
We combine your income, debts, interest rate, and term with front-end and back-end ratio assumptions similar to those used in quick desktop assessments. Banks also apply serviceability buffers (for example testing at a rate higher than the actual rate). Add a higher rate manually if you want a more conservative buffer.
Does the calculator include Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)?
LMI depends on LVR, loan type, and insurer. Enter the loan amount net of any capitalised LMI your broker quoted, or increase the rate slightly to approximate the blended cost. For precision, ask your lender for a repayment including LMI.
What about offset accounts and redraw?
Offset maths varies by product (full offset vs partial). This tool models standard amortising loans without daily offset simulation. If you maintain large offset balances, your effective interest paid will be lower than shown.
Is this credit advice under the National Credit Code?
No. Licensed credit assistance requires an Australian Credit Licence holder to assess your objectives. We provide general educational estimates only.
Can first home buyers model grants?
You can reduce the required deposit in your scenario to mimic a First Home Owner Grant or state scheme, but eligibility rules change by state. Verify with your state revenue office before relying on a grant in your budget.
Why do banks show a lower maximum loan?
They apply living-expense benchmarks, credit card limits (even if paid off), existing HECS debt, and child support. Enter those commitments in monthly debts for a closer planning number.
Does the RBA cash rate auto-update?
You type the rate you want to stress-test. Swap in the advertised comparison rate from your lender’s factsheet for a realistic payment. Cash rate moves do not automatically flow into this static educational tool.
Can I export results for my mortgage broker?
Yes—use the PDF export so your broker can see the assumptions behind your numbers, which speeds up the fact-find on the first appointment.
How accurate is this mortgage calculator?
It produces estimation-level outputs from the inputs and assumptions you choose. Lenders apply proprietary credit policies, living-cost benchmarks, and verified documents that no public calculator can replicate. Treat every figure as a planning range, then validate with a regulated mortgage professional in your jurisdiction.
Does this store my data or send it to a server?
Mortgage numbers you type are processed locally in your browser to render charts and tables. This application is not designed to persist your form as a user profile. Standard hosting logs or third-party analytics may still exist—see the privacy policy for detail.
Can I compare affordability and repayment views?
Yes. Affordability mode focuses on how much you may be able to borrow given income and debts, while repayment mode stresses the monthly instalment for a chosen loan amount. Switching modes lets you reconcile borrowing power with cashflow.
Is this financial, tax, or legal advice?
No. Mortgages intersect with tax (for example SDLT or mortgage interest deductions) and contract law. Nothing here replaces a qualified adviser, accountant, or solicitor. Regulatory references on the About page are for transparency only.
Who maintains the rate and rule assumptions?
The editorial team reviews public guidance from central banks, regulators, and tax authorities on a best-effort schedule and documents the review cadence on the About page. Markets move daily—always confirm live pricing with your lender.