Public calculator snapshot
Borrowing Power Calculator Comparison
Borrowing estimates are not interchangeable. This page compares BorrowPower's own published model with CommBank's public calculator using consistent Australian household scenarios and the same customer interest rate.
Current edition: 2 September 2026. Next review planned for October 2026.
What this comparison is for
It is a transparent planning reference, not a lender ranking or a loan recommendation. Each lender sets its own assessment rate, expense model, credit policy and product assumptions, and those can change without notice. A public calculator result is an indication only; it is not conditional approval.
BorrowPower applies its published Australian tax and serviceability assumptions. The CommBank column links directly to its public calculator so the same profile can be checked at the source. This avoids presenting stale or invented lender figures as current facts.
2 September 2026 comparison
Both estimates use the same core household inputs below: owner-occupied, principal-and-interest repayments over 30 years, no HELP debt, no rental income and an 80% LVR context. BorrowPower uses the same income, expense, dependant, debt and card-limit inputs as CommBank. Results are rounded to the displayed amount.
| Scenario | BorrowPower estimate | CommBank estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Single starter | $403,512 | $397,500 |
| 2. Single established | $546,347 | $540,300 |
| 3. Couple entry | $926,053 | $871,200 |
| 4. Couple with one child | $922,085 | $889,200 |
| 5. Couple with two children and debt | $882,409 | $869,800 |
Shared customer rate: 6.49% p.a. CommBank was set to its Simple Home Loan Variable Rate for an LVR of 70.01% to 80% (when checked), and BorrowPower was rerun at the same 6.49% rate plus its published 3 percentage-point serviceability buffer. BorrowPower also uses 2026/27 resident tax settings, a simple 2% Medicare estimate and its published household expense floor. CommBank's assessment rate, expense model and credit policies are not public and can produce different estimates despite the shared customer rate. These figures are not a quote, recommendation or approval.
Monthly comparison method
- Use five repeatable core scenarios Every profile below uses owner-occupied, principal-and-interest repayments over 30 years and an 80% LVR context unless a source calculator applies a different built-in assumption.
- Keep the inputs aligned Use the listed income, dependants, living expenses, other monthly debt payments and card limits. Do not add savings targets, HELP repayment assumptions, rental income or current-home-loan details to this comparison.
- Record the public estimate and source context At each monthly review, record the displayed result, calculator date and any stated product/rate assumption. Note an unavailable field rather than forcing an unmatched input.
Five repeatable core scenarios
Annual income is gross income. Expenses and debt payments are monthly. “Joint” means two applicants. Each scenario assumes a 20% deposit/80% LVR context; it is used only to select an equivalent public product where the lender calculator provides that control.
| Scenario | Applicants and income | Household profile | Commitments | LVR context | Run through |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Single starter | Single: $90,000 | 0 dependants Expenses: $2,500 | No other debt Card limit: $0 | 20% deposit 80% LVR | BorrowPower Then check CommBank's official calculator below. |
| 2. Single established | Single: $120,000 | 0 dependants Expenses: $3,000 | No other debt Card limit: $0 | 20% deposit 80% LVR | BorrowPower |
| 3. Couple entry | Joint: $100,000 + $80,000 | 0 dependants Expenses: $4,000 | No other debt Card limit: $0 | 20% deposit 80% LVR | BorrowPower |
| 4. Couple with one child | Joint: $105,000 + $85,000 | 1 dependant Expenses: $4,600 | No other debt Card limit: $0 | 20% deposit 80% LVR | BorrowPower |
| 5. Couple with two children and debt | Joint: $120,000 + $95,000 | 2 dependants Expenses: $5,400 | Other debt: $650 Card limit: $10,000 | 20% deposit 80% LVR | BorrowPower |
Official public calculators
Some calculators request information differently. Where a calculator has no equivalent field, leave a note in the monthly review rather than treating two unlike results as exact equivalents.
Use a result in context
Borrowing capacity is only one part of a purchase decision. Keep your deposit separate from duty and buying costs, test repayments at a range of rates, and ask a lender or licensed professional to assess your personal circumstances before relying on any estimate.
General information only, not financial, credit or legal advice. BorrowPower is not affiliated with CommBank. Calculator settings, products, rates and credit policies can change. Check the official calculator and speak with a lender or licensed professional before making a financial decision.