Updated 2 September 2026
BorrowPower FAQ
What does BorrowPower help me plan?
BorrowPower helps Australians compare borrowing capacity, purchase costs, repayments, first-home scheme settings, refinancing break-even and property-investment scenarios. It is for planning before you seek personalised advice or loan approval.
Will BorrowPower tell me whether a lender will approve me?
No. BorrowPower uses standardised assumptions, not a lender's full credit policy or your complete financial circumstances. A result is an estimate, not a loan approval, product recommendation or quote.
How does the borrowing power estimate work?
It uses 2026/27 Australian resident tax settings, entered income and commitments, dependant expense floors and a 3% serviceability buffer. You can enter higher expenses and adjust the interest rate, but lenders can assess income and expenses differently.
Where do the calculator assumptions and source links come from?
BorrowPower publishes its core tax, serviceability, transfer-duty, LMI and scheme assumptions with links to the relevant authorities. See the data and methodology page for the review dates and limits of each model.
What does the Deposit & Upfront Cost Calculator include?
It estimates the deposit, loan, LVR, indicative transfer duty, approximate LMI and entered registration or other costs. It also shows the difference between 5%, 10% and 20% deposits and your estimated savings surplus or shortfall.
How do first-home duty concessions work in the planner?
The planner only applies a modelled concession after you confirm that you meet the relevant first-home and occupancy rules. It models selected settings for NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, while showing general duty where it lacks the information needed to estimate other state or territory concessions safely.
How do you estimate LMI?
If LVR is above 80%, BorrowPower applies a tiered approximation based on LVR band and loan size. Actual LMI varies by lender, insurer, product and application details. The purchase planner can show LMI as capitalised into the loan or paid upfront, and it does not estimate LMI at or above 95% LVR.
What does the First Home Buyer Scheme Checker do?
It compares the main numeric settings for the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme and Help to Buy using the figures you enter. It cannot confirm personal eligibility, a participating lender decision, availability or final scheme approval.
Do calculator inputs get sent to BorrowPower?
BorrowPower's calculator event tracking is designed not to send the financial figures you enter. No account is needed. The optional Remember my inputs setting stores applicable borrowing-calculator inputs on your device; see the Privacy Policy for website analytics and advertising details.
Is this financial advice?
No. BorrowPower provides general information only, not financial, credit, tax or legal advice. Check current costs and eligibility with the relevant authority and seek licensed advice for your circumstances.