On a $90,000 gross annual salary in Australia, most lenders will approve a home loan in the range of $440,000 to $520,000, depending on your living expenses, debts, and the lender. Applicants with minimal debts and controlled expenses may qualify for up to $550,000.
Estimated Borrowing Power on $90,000
| Scenario | Estimated borrowing power | Monthly repayment at 6% |
|---|---|---|
| Low expenses, no debts | ~$510,000–$550,000 | ~$3,060–$3,300 |
| Moderate expenses, no debts | ~$445,000–$500,000 | ~$2,670–$3,000 |
| With $10k credit card limit | ~$410,000–$460,000 | ~$2,460–$2,760 |
| With $450/month car loan | ~$370,000–$420,000 | ~$2,220–$2,520 |
| With HECS-HELP debt | ~$400,000–$455,000 | ~$2,400–$2,730 |
Based on 30-year P&I loan at 6.00% p.a., assessed at 9.00% (APRA buffer). Use our borrowing power calculator for a personalised estimate.
How Lenders Assess $90,000
Gross monthly income: $7,500. Net income after PAYG and Medicare levy: approximately $67,500–$69,000/year ($5,625–$5,750/month).
At the APRA serviceability assessment rate of 9.00% (based on 6.00% actual + 3% buffer), a $480,000 loan over 30 years requires a monthly repayment of approximately $3,862. Lenders compare this against your net income after living expenses and existing commitments.
At $90,000, many applicants are close to the threshold where HECS repayments step up meaningfully — from 4.5% at $80,000 to 6.0% of taxable income at $90,000 ($5,400/year = $450/month). Lenders count this as a monthly commitment.
HECS Impact at $90,000
| Gross income | HECS repayment rate | Annual HECS | Monthly deduction | Borrowing power impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $80,000 | 4.5% | $3,600 | $300 | −$35,000–$50,000 |
| $90,000 | 6.0% | $5,400 | $450 | −$50,000–$65,000 |
| $100,000 | 7.5% | $7,500 | $625 | −$65,000–$80,000 |
At $90,000, HECS is a meaningful drag on borrowing power. If your remaining HECS balance is under $30,000, it may be worth running the numbers on paying it out. See our HECS and home loans guide.
Repayment Estimates
| Loan amount | Monthly repayment (6%, 30yr) | Fortnightly | % of $90,000 gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| $350,000 | $2,098 | $968 | 28% |
| $400,000 | $2,398 | $1,107 | 32% |
| $450,000 | $2,698 | $1,245 | 36% |
| $500,000 | $2,998 | $1,384 | 40% |
| $550,000 | $3,298 | $1,522 | 44% |
A 30% gross income benchmark for housing costs is $2,250/month. At 6% over 30 years, this supports approximately $374,000. Most lenders will approve more — 35–40% of gross income is common for borrowers without other major commitments.
Deposit Requirements
| Purchase price | 10% deposit | Stamp duty (NSW est.) | Total funds needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| $450,000 | $45,000 | ~$15,805 | ~$65,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 | ~$17,990 | ~$72,000 |
| $550,000 | $55,000 | ~$19,800 | ~$79,000 |
With a 10% deposit, LMI applies. On a $500,000 property at 90% LVR, LMI is approximately $8,000–$10,000 (see LMI calculator). Saving 20% ($100,000 on a $500,000 property) eliminates this cost but takes longer.
The First Home Guarantee (5% deposit, no LMI) is available for eligible first home buyers purchasing below the price cap in each state. See our First Home Guarantee guide.
What Can $90,000 Buy?
With an estimated purchase price of $490,000–$590,000 (borrowing + deposit):
| City | What’s achievable |
|---|---|
| Sydney | 1–2 bedroom apartment outer suburbs, unit in satellite cities |
| Melbourne | Unit or apartment in many suburbs; house in outer fringe |
| Brisbane | House in outer suburbs, unit inner suburbs |
| Perth | Established house in many suburban areas |
| Adelaide | House in most suburban areas |
| Regional cities | Good purchasing power; house options widely available |
At $90,000, you’re above the Australian average income and have genuine purchasing options in most markets outside inner-Sydney and inner-Melbourne.
How to Maximise Your Borrowing Power
- Close unused credit cards — the fastest improvement available
- Pay off small debts — clearing a car loan before applying meaningfully increases capacity
- Reduce your declared living expenses where honest to do so — ensure you’re not over-reporting non-essential spending
- Choose the right lender — at $90,000 income, different lenders’ HEM benchmarks and income assessment policies vary. A broker can identify which lender gives you the best outcome
- Consider joint purchasing — with a combined income of $150,000–$180,000, you can borrow substantially more
FAQ
What can I afford on $90,000 in Australia?
With estimated borrowing power of $440,000–$520,000, plus a 10–20% deposit, you can target properties in the $490,000–$620,000 range. This opens up established houses in Perth, Adelaide, regional QLD and NSW, apartments in Brisbane and outer Melbourne, and a range of options outside the major metropolitan cores.
Is $90,000 a good salary for a home loan?
$90,000 is modestly above the Australian median full-time wage (approximately $95,000 average as at ABS FY2025). It’s a workable income for home ownership in most markets. Sydney is the main challenge — median dwelling prices there are approximately $1.45M, requiring a much higher income or combined purchasing.
Borrowing power estimates are indicative only. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a licensed mortgage broker. Find one through MoneySmart.