Q&A · Last reviewed 2026-05-01
How much can a couple borrow on $150K combined income?
Approximately $720K-$880K depending on debt, dependants, and deposit. The APRA buffer + 30% DTI guardrail are the binding constraints. With a 20% deposit, couples on $150K can typically buy in the $900K-$1.1M price range.
Bank serviceability calcs combine income, less existing debts (credit cards, car loans, HECS), less living expenses (HEM-based or higher), tested against the loan rate + 3% APRA buffer. For a couple on $150K combined with no kids, no other debt, and stable employment: typical max loan $720K-$880K depending on lender.
Add deposit: with 20% deposit, that's $900K-$1.1M maximum purchase. With 5% deposit (HGS-eligible), capacity drops because you're servicing a larger LMI-free loan with the same income, typically $850K-$950K maximum purchase.
Constraints get tighter with kids (HEM increases by ~$800/month per child), other debt ($1 of monthly debt-service reduces capacity by ~$100), shorter loan terms (a 25-year loan vs 30 reduces capacity 5-8%), and self-employed status (banks look at 2-year averaged income + tighter buffer).
Validate with our buying-power calculator at /tools/buying-power. Plug in your specific numbers, actual capacity varies meaningfully across lenders (CBA + Westpac vs Macquarie + Bankwest can differ 10-15%). For exact figures, get a broker assessment with full document review.
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Informational. Not financial advice. Verify with a licensed adviser appropriate to your circumstances.
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