Free Borrowing Power Calculator
Find out how much you could borrow before you start looking
Enter your income, expenses and existing debts to get an estimate of your borrowing capacity, a useful first step before you start inspecting properties.
With 23+ years in financial services, I look for borrowing capacity that a generic estimate would miss.
Prefer to talk first? Call Durand direct on 0450 275 656
Run your numbers
Adjust your income, living expenses, dependants and existing debts to see an estimated borrowing range update in real time. It takes less than a minute.
This estimate uses standard assumptions and doesn’t reflect any one lender’s actual policy. It’s a starting point, not a pre-approval.
What actually determines your borrowing power
Four moving parts sit behind every borrowing power figure. Understanding them helps you read the calculator’s result the right way.
Household income
Your gross income, including base salary, regular bonuses and any rental income, forms the starting point for what a lender will consider.
Living expenses & dependants
Lenders assess your declared expenses against a benchmark, and more dependants generally means a lower borrowing figure.
Existing debts & credit limits
Credit cards, car loans, personal loans and buy-now-pay-later accounts all reduce your borrowing power, even if you don’t use them.
Deposit size & LVR
A smaller deposit doesn’t just mean a bigger loan, it can also mean Lenders Mortgage Insurance gets added on top.
Household income
Your gross income, including base salary, regular bonuses and any rental income, forms the starting point for what a lender will consider.
Living expenses & dependants
Lenders assess your declared expenses against a benchmark, and more dependants generally means a lower borrowing figure.
Existing debts & credit limits
Credit cards, car loans, personal loans and buy-now-pay-later accounts all reduce your borrowing power, even if you don’t use them.
Deposit size & LVR
A smaller deposit doesn’t just mean a bigger loan, it can also mean Lenders Mortgage Insurance gets added on top.
Why your real borrowing power can differ from the estimate
A calculator works from the figures you type in and a set of general assumptions. A lender works from a lot more than that.
Every lender assesses you differently
Each lender applies its own serviceability buffer and treats income, bonuses and existing debts differently. Two lenders can arrive at two very different figures for the same person.
Complex income isn’t a single number
If you’re self-employed, earn commission or bonuses, or run income through a business or trust, a calculator can’t account for that nuance.
Unused credit limits still count
A credit card limit you’ve never come close to using can still reduce your borrowing power, because lenders assess the limit, not your balance.
Structure can unlock more than the number suggests
How a loan is split, which lender you approach first, and how existing debts are structured can all shift your genuine borrowing capacity.
Every lender assesses you differently
Each lender applies its own serviceability buffer and treats income, bonuses and existing debts differently. Two lenders can arrive at two very different figures for the same person.
Complex income isn’t a single number
If you’re self-employed, earn commission or bonuses, or run income through a business or trust, a calculator can’t account for that nuance.
Unused credit limits still count
A credit card limit you’ve never come close to using can still reduce your borrowing power, because lenders assess the limit, not your balance.
Structure can unlock more than the number suggests
How a loan is split, which lender you approach first, and how existing debts are structured can all shift your genuine borrowing capacity.
Every lender assesses you differently
Each lender applies its own serviceability buffer and treats income, bonuses and existing debts differently. Two lenders can arrive at two very different figures for the same person.
Complex income isn’t a single number
If you’re self-employed, earn commission or bonuses, or run income through a business or trust, a calculator can’t account for that nuance.
Unused credit limits still count
A credit card limit you’ve never come close to using can still reduce your borrowing power, because lenders assess the limit, not your balance.
Structure can unlock more than the number suggests
How a loan is split, which lender you approach first, and how existing debts are structured can all shift your genuine borrowing capacity.
From estimate to strategy in five steps
Once you’ve run the numbers, here’s what working with Durand actually looks like.
Why clients work with me
The calculators are free for anyone to use. What sets the outcome apart is the strategy built around your actual numbers, delivered by the same person from start to finish.
“Durand was amazing, he walked us through the process every step of the way, always available to explain things, prepared very thorough loan applications, professional, friendly with great communication skills.”
Shane, verified Google review
23+
Years in financial services
70+
Lenders on panel
5★
Client feedback
1:1
End-to-end service, no handoffs
Borrowing power calculator FAQs
How is my borrowing power calculated?
It’s based on your income, living expenses, dependants and existing debts, assessed against a standard buffer that estimates how you’d cope if interest rates rose.
What information do I need before I start?
Your gross household income, a realistic monthly living expense figure, the number of dependants you support, and details of any existing loans or credit cards.
Why did two lenders give me different numbers?
Each lender applies its own serviceability policy, its own view of your income type, and its own buffer above current interest rates, so the same numbers can produce genuinely different results.
Does a credit card I don't use affect my borrowing power?
Yes. Lenders generally assess the full limit on any credit card or line of credit you hold, whether or not you carry a balance.
I've got my estimate, what's next?
A short conversation to review your actual numbers against real lender policy, so you know which lenders would genuinely support the figure you’re working toward.
Can rental income from an investment property increase my borrowing power?
Often, yes, though most lenders only count a percentage of rental income to allow for vacancies and costs, so it’s worth checking how much difference it actually makes to your figure.
Related reading
Once you’ve run your numbers, these might be useful next.
Buying your first investment property
What to weigh up before your borrowing power estimate turns into an actual purchase.
5 smart lending moves for property investors earning $300k+
Practical strategies for higher-income earners looking to put their borrowing capacity to better use.
Buying your first investment property
What to weigh up before your borrowing power estimate turns into an actual purchase.
5 smart lending moves for property investors earning $300k+
Practical strategies for higher-income earners looking to put their borrowing capacity to better use.
Explore our other calculators
This is one of six free tools. Here are the other five.
Loan repayment
Stamp duty calculator
Refinance calculator
Extra repayments calculator
Home loan offset calculator
Ready to turn your estimate into a strategy?
Tell us what you’re working toward and we’ll review your actual numbers, not just a calculator estimate.
Prefer to talk now? Call 0450 275 656 or email durand@willowandreedprivate.com.au