22/10/2026
📊 Ever looked at a borrowing calculator and thought… surely I can borrow more than THAT? Here’s one reason the number can feel lower than expected.
When a lender assesses a new home loan, it generally needs to test whether you could still afford the loan at a rate 3 percentage points higher than the actual loan rate.
So, as a simple example: Actual rate: 6.00% Assessment rate: 9.00% You’re not actually paying 9%.
It’s a stress test designed to make sure there’s some breathing room if rates or circumstances change. And while we can’t magically remove the buffer 🪄😂 , borrowing capacity can still vary between lenders because they assess:
💰 income differently
💳 credit card commitments differently
🏠 rental income differently
📈 bonuses, overtime and allowances differently 🏦 existing debts differently AND YES, there are some lenders who do offer a lower assessment rate!
Which is why one bank giving you a lower number isn’t always the end of the conversation. Sometimes the difference is simply policy. General information only. Serviceability and credit criteria vary between lenders.