How Banks Assess a Teacher’s Second Job or Side Income
TL;DR A teacher’s second-job income may support a home loan, but lenders assess it differently depending on whether it is PAYG, casual, contractor or self-employed income. Banks look for a consistent income history, evidence the work is likely to continue, and documents that verify the income before including it in serviceability. The amount used for […]
Can Tutoring Income Be Used for a Teacher Home Loan?
TL;DR Tutoring income can support a teacher home loan, but how it is assessed depends on whether it is earned as PAYG, contract or self-employed income. Lenders focus on consistency, trading history, ongoing income and clear documentation before deciding how much tutoring income they will include. Self-employed tutors are generally assessed on net profit rather […]
Do Teacher Allowances Count Towards Home Loan Borrowing Power?
TL;DR Teacher allowances may improve borrowing power, but lenders assess each payment based on its regularity, expected duration, supporting evidence and individual lending policy. Permanent allowances linked to an ongoing role are generally viewed more favourably than temporary, irregular or one-off payments, which may be averaged, discounted or excluded. Providing clear documentation, such as payslips, […]
Risks of No Deposit Home Loans Teachers Should Understand
TL;DR “No deposit” in Australia usually means a family pledge, a gifted deposit, or a government-backed low-deposit pathway — each carries very different risks and is not interchangeable. The most damaging risks tend to be negative equity and reduced refinance flexibility at high LVRs, which can lock a borrower into their original lender when rates […]
How Teachers Can Buy with Less Than 5% Deposit in 2026
TL;DR Sub-5 per cent deposit entry is possible in 2026, but only through specific structures — the Family Home Guarantee (2 per cent for eligible single parents), the First Home Guarantee (5 per cent), gifted deposits, or family pledge loans. The Home Guarantee Scheme moved to unlimited places from 1 October 2025 with no income […]
Gifted Deposits for Teacher Home Buyers: What Lenders Require
TL;DR Most Australian lenders accept gifted deposits from immediate family, but require a signed gift letter confirming the funds are non-repayable and a clean paper trail of the transfer. A gift does not automatically satisfy genuine savings requirements — loans above 80 to 85 per cent LVR often still require the borrower to show independent […]
Family Pledge Loans for Teachers: A No-Deposit Pathway
TL;DR A family pledge loan uses equity in a family member’s property as additional security — usually a capped limited guarantee — so teachers can buy with little or no deposit and avoid LMI entirely. The structure solves the deposit problem but not the serviceability test, which is still assessed on the borrower’s own income […]
5% Deposit Home Loans for Teachers Without LMI: How They Work
TL;DR Teachers have two distinct no-LMI pathways at low deposits: the Home Guarantee Scheme (5 per cent deposit, backed by a government guarantee) and profession-based LMI waivers offered by individual lenders. The Home Guarantee Scheme suits eligible first home buyers purchasing owner-occupier properties within price caps, while teacher LMI waivers extend to upgraders, investors, and […]
First Home Guarantee Scheme for Teachers: Eligibility and How to Apply
TL;DR The scheme isn’t teacher-specific, but under the updated October 2025 rules (no income caps, no place limits) it’s one of the most accessible ways for eligible first home buyer teachers to purchase with 5% deposit and skip LMI. Eligibility doesn’t equal approval. You still need to pass full serviceability, and lender policy on contract, […]
Mortgage Broker vs Bank for Teachers: Which Gets You a Better Deal?
TL;DR “Better deal” isn’t just rate. Total cost includes fees, LMI waivers, borrowing capacity, loan features, and policy fit for teacher income, all of which shift depending on the channel. Direct bank applications can work for permanent teachers with strong existing relationships, 20% deposits, and straightforward profiles who want a benchmark offer quickly. Brokers typically […]