Home Loans for Pilots & Air Traffic Controllers | No LMI Up to 90% LVR

Do pilots really qualify for no-LMI home loans up to 90% LVR in Australia?

Yes. Eligible pilots holding a current CASA pilot licence (CPL or ATPL) with at least 12 months of stable income in the role can access a 90% LVR no-LMI policy through specialist lenders on our panel. The shorter your tenure or the lower your income, the more likely the offer caps at 85% LVR — still no LMI, just a slightly larger deposit.

How are flight allowances, DTA and overtime treated when assessing my borrowing capacity?

Specialist lenders count flight pay, duty time allowance, simulator pay and rostered overtime as fully assessable income, provided they’re shown consistently on payslips and supported by your enterprise bargaining agreement. Most retail banks discount or exclude these components, which is why pilots frequently see 20–40% more borrowing power through a specialist channel.

What documents do pilots and air traffic controllers need to apply for a home loan?

You’ll need your CASA pilot licence (or CASR Part 65 ATC licence), 3–6 months of payslips clearly showing base pay and all allowances, your most recent Notice of Assessment, an employer letter confirming employment terms and EBA reference, three months of bank statements, identification documents, and a list of assets and liabilities. We provide an employer letter template that gives the credit assessor exactly what they need.

How long does pre-approval take for an aviation professional?

Pre-approval typically takes 48 hours from receipt of a complete document pack. Aviation professionals usually have well-organised PAYG records, which makes for a clean file. Where the file is more complex — contractor income, recent role changes, expat structures — allow 5–7 business days.

Can air traffic controllers access the same no-LMI waiver as pilots?

Yes. Air traffic controllers employed by Airservices Australia hold a CASA-issued ATC licence under CASR Part 65 and are treated as approved aviation professionals by specialist lenders. The same 90% LVR no-LMI policy applies, with the same income, tenure and credit requirements as for pilots.

Does shift work or a variable roster affect my home loan approval?

It can, but only if the lender doesn’t understand the industry. Specialist aviation lenders treat rostered shift work as stable employment and will not penalise you for irregular shift patterns. The key is providing 12 months of payslips so the assessor can smooth roster-period variability and demonstrate income consistency.

Can contract pilots, charter pilots or ferry pilots qualify?

Contract and self-employed pilots can qualify, though the assessment is different. Lenders typically require two years of tax returns plus your current contract or letter of engagement. The 90% LVR no-LMI policy is harder (but not impossible) to access on contractor income — 80–85% LVR with a partial waiver is more common. We assess these case-by-case.

Are overseas-based Australian pilots eligible?

Yes. Australian citizens or permanent residents flying for foreign airlines (Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, US carriers and others) can still buy in Australia. Most expat-friendly lenders accept foreign-currency PAYG income at 70–90% of face value, depending on the currency and the airline. See our dedicated Australian expat home loan page for detail.

How much can the no-LMI waiver actually save me?

LMI on a 90% LVR loan typically costs between 1.5% and 2.5% of the loan amount, depending on the lender and the LMI provider (Helia or QBE). On an $800,000 loan that’s roughly $13,500–$18,500. On a $1.25M loan it’s $24,000–$32,000. The waiver eliminates that cost entirely — it doesn’t reduce it, doesn’t capitalise it, doesn’t replace it with a “risk fee”.

What are current home loan interest rates for pilots in Australia?

Specialist lenders price aviation professional loans competitively, often within 0.05–0.20% of the lender’s best advertised owner-occupier rate. Rates change daily and depend on your loan size, LVR, fixed-vs-variable choice, and whether you take a package. Rather than quote a number that may be out of date by tomorrow, we’ll give you a specific written rate quote within 24 hours of your enquiry.

Can pilots and ATCs use the First Home Guarantee scheme alongside the no-LMI waiver?

You’d choose one or the other — both eliminate LMI, so there’s nothing to stack on the LMI side. The First Home Guarantee allows a 5% deposit (vs 10% for the professional waiver), so it’s typically the better choice if you’re a genuine first-home buyer with limited savings. The professional waiver is usually preferred when you can afford a 10% deposit and want the broader lender choice and product flexibility that a non-FHBG loan provides.

Do I need to be a member of AFAP, AIPA or another union to qualify?

No. Lenders don’t require union membership. The eligibility tests are licence, employer, tenure and income — not union affiliation. That said, AFAP and AIPA membership is common across the industry and we’re comfortable sourcing supporting documents (EBA copies, EBA reference letters) regardless of which body represents you.