Home Loans for Nurses Australia : 90% LVR No LMI
Last Updated: 28 February 2026
As a registered nurse (RN), midwife, or enrolled nurse in Australia, you’re essential to our healthcare system – and in 2026, lenders are rewarding that with tailored home loans for nurses. Forget standard mortgages; specialist policies now offer LMI waivers, full use of shift allowances, and discounted rates, making homeownership easier even with irregular hours or agency work. At Professional Home Loans, we’ve helped thousands of nurses secure approvals with deposits as low as 10%, boosting borrowing power by including 100% of overtime and penalties.
2026 Updates: With programs like Westpac’s Healthcare LMI Waiver and CBA’s expanded essential worker schemes, nurses earning $90k+ can access 90% LVR without LMI. High-demand roles (e.g., nurse practitioners) may qualify for 95% LVR. Foreign surcharge exemptions for visa holders and federal guarantees further sweeten the deal.
Can Nurses Get LMI Waived in 2026?
Yes – and it’s a game-changer. Lenders view nurses as low-risk due to stable employment in healthcare, so many waive Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) that could otherwise add $20,000+ to your costs.
Key 2026 Benefits:
- 90% LVR No LMI (10% Deposit): Standard for AHPRA-registered nurses/midwives with $90k+ income (including allowances).
- 95% LVR Options (5% Deposit): Available for high-income specialists like nurse practitioners or clinical nurses under “essential worker” criteria from select banks (e.g., CBA, NAB).
- No Genuine Savings Required: Use gifts, First Home Owner Grants (FHOG), or equity from existing properties.
- Discounted Rates: Exclusive healthcare worker discounts – up to 0.5% off standard variable rates.
Tip: If you’re on a 482 or 491 visa, some lenders offer similar waivers with a 10-15% deposit, treating you like PRs.
Maximizing Your Nursing Income for Bigger Loans
Standard banks often discount shift work income, but specialist lenders for home loans for nurses don’t. We partner with banks that assess:
- 100% of Shift Penalties & Allowances: Night shifts, weekends, public holidays – all counted fully to increase your borrowing by $100k+.
- 100% Overtime: With 3-6 months’ payslips showing consistency, add it all to your capacity.
- Casual & Agency Nurses: Only 12-24 months in the industry needed; no long-term employer required.
- Self-Employed Nurses: Use BAS statements and accountant letters for full income recognition.
Example: A Melbourne RN earning $95k base + $20k shifts could borrow $650k+ vs. $550k at a standard bank.
Eligibility for Nurse Home Loans
Who Qualifies for Nurse Home Loans?
To qualify for our no-LMI home loans, you need:
- Profession: Registered Nurse, Clinical Nurse, Midwife, Nurse Practitioner or similar (full-time, casual or contract)
- Income: minimum of $90K per year (including overtime, allowances or second job. We can maximise your borrowing capacity by including overtime, meal allowances and fringe benefits)
-
Employment: Work as a nurse with at least 1 year in your current job or 2 years in the profession
- AHPRA registration as a nurse or midwife
- Casual, contract or those on Temporary Visa may also qualify
Unsure? Call us at 1300 55 44 97 for a free eligibility check.
How Much Can You Save on a Nurse Home Loan?
Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is a one-time fee for loans over 80% LVR, protecting the lender if you default. For a $500,000 home, LMI can cost $8,600. Our LMI waiver for nurses eliminates this up to 90% LVR, saving you thousands—equivalent to years of mortgage payments. Combine this with our low rates, and you could own your home sooner.
| Loan Amount | LMI Premium | Your Savings with Waiver |
|---|---|---|
$300,000 |
$4,100 |
$4,100 |
$400,000 |
$6,900 |
$6,900 |
$500,000 |
$8,600 |
$8,600 |
$600,000 |
$10,800 |
$10,800 |
$700,000 |
$13,500 |
$13,500 |
$800,000 |
$16,100 |
$16,100 |
For a $500K, you would save $8,600 – equivalent to over 4 years of principal payments. Add that with our low rates and you could shave years off your mortgage.
Case Studies: Nurses We've Helped
Maria’s Story: First Home Buyer Nurse in Melbourne
Maria Sheldon, a 30-year-old nurse from the Philippines on a 482 visa, dreamed of owning an apartment in Melbourne’s west (Maidstone). With a small deposit and significant overtime income, Maria faced challenges securing a loan. Our team at Professional Home Loans worked with Westpac to secure a $680,000 home loan at 90% LVR with no LMI, saving Maria $16,100. By including 100% of her overtime income, we boosted her borrowing power, and she moved into her new apartment within weeks.
Ben & Jessica’s Story: Refinancing for Home Improvements
Ben, a police officer, and Kat, a nurse, wanted to refinance their $830,000 home loan to access $80,000 in equity for a pool and landscaping. Our brokers refinanced their loan to Bank of Melbourne, securing a 0.6% lower interest rate than their previous CBA loan. The process was fast, and they completed their dream backyard, adding value to their home.
Government Schemes for First Home Buyer Nurses
As a first home buyer nurse Australia, you can combine our LMI waiver for nurses with government schemes to save more:
- Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS): Buy with a 5% deposit and no LMI for homes under state price caps (e.g., $450,000 in regional NSW). Visit housingaustralia.gov.au.
- Help to Buy Scheme (2025): Government contributes up to 40% of the purchase price, reducing your deposit and loan. Register at housingaustralia.gov.au.
- First Home Owner Grant (FHOG): Get $10,000 for new homes under $600,000 in NSW or $750,000 in VIC. Check revenue.nsw.gov.au or sro.vic.gov.au.
- Stamp Duty Exemptions: Save on stamp duty for properties under $430,000 in NSW or $500,000 in QLD for new homes.
Step-by-Step: Securing Your Nurse Home Loan
- Free Strategy Call: Discuss your payslips, visa, and goals with our nurse-specialist brokers.
- Income Maximization: We calculate using 100% allowances and shop 30+ lenders.
- Pre-Approval: Get conditional approval in 3-5 days, including LMI waiver confirmation.
- Application & Settlement: Handle paperwork, conveyancing tips, and post-settlement rate reviews.
- Ongoing Support: Refinance options as you advance in your career.
Why Nurses Choose Professional Home Loans
- Visa & Specialist Expertise: Unlike general brokers, we handle 482/491 visa nurses and medico perks.
- Proven Results: 98% approval rate for healthcare workers; saved clients $15k+ on average in fees.
- Nationwide Service: From Melbourne to regional QLD – virtual or in-person.
- No Upfront Fees: Only paid by lenders on success.
Free 30-Minute Finance Strategy Session For Professionals
Discover How To Get Approved With A Lower Interest Rate & Save Up To $40,000 In Fees
FAQs - Home Loans for Nurses
-
Can casual nurses qualify?
Yes, if you’ve worked 1 year at your current job or 2 years total in nursing.
- Which banks waive LMI for nurses?
- How much deposit do I need?
- What is Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), and does it protect the borrower?
LMI protects the bank in case the borrower defaults on the loan. It is paid by the borrower but benefits the lender. It does not protect the borrower; instead, borrowers should take personal life and income protection insurance.
- What if I’m on probation?
About the Author: Tom Luu
Tom Luu is a specialist mortgage broker and the founder of Professional Home Loans. With over 9 years of experience in the Australian mortgage industry, Tom specializes in complex lending scenarios, particularly for medical professionals, expats, and temporary visa holders. He is dedicated to helping clients navigate the nuances of Australian credit policies to secure the best possible financial outcomes.
Experience: 9+ Years in Mortgage Broking
Credentials: Credit Representative Number 486574
Expertise: Visa Home Loans, Professional LMI Waivers, and Expat Finance.
Testimonials
Tom has provided us with a very professional service, communicating all the available options to us and in the process he has literally saved us $75k that we would have otherwise paid. Being new the Australian property market it was imperative we found a broker that had the patience to answer the numerous questions we had be it by phone or email and sometimes outside normal working hours and that is exactly what we got from Tom. He certainly goes beyond the call of duty. Keep up the good work, Tom and we will no doubt be back in touch with you in the not too distant future.
Hamilton & Nyari
Finally, we were able to buy our own place in Sydney. THANKS to Michael. We were given the run around by various banks (we had a unique situation and despite good income and stable one, loan wasn't coming easy). When we almost finally gave up, we had nothing to lose and made one last call and it was to Michael. Our hopes were back in two days from there, and had our loan approved with in next few days. We appreciated all the prompt and helpful responses to all of our queries in relation to purchasing with a Temporary Visa. He even made a bank valuation possible in 24 hours or so. If we ever need help again with our finance, Michael will be the first person we would call. Kindest Regards, Anjuli & Kris
Anjuli & Kris Balachandran
Tom, rest assured, when we hear of any of our acquaintances in need of a mortgage you are the one I'll be referring them to. We are very happy to have been working with you, not only because the result is good, but even more since Lisa and I really appreciated your personal touch in our case, your always being available, even for emails late at night and always taking the time to answer our every question. Kind regards, Lisa & Bas
Lisa and Bas
Why Choose Professional Home Loans
Getting a home loan was really simple with Professional Home Loans.
“We went overseas during settlement and it was not a problem for them, everything went smoothly and I’m writing this from my new home! “
Jack Clancy
Well done you made it easy with no BS.
“Couldn’t ask for a better job – until next time (although no time soon, moving was awful). “
Accountant, Mick and Vanessa Renton
No LMI for building home in Sydney as well as 90% LVR no lmi for investment proerpty off the plan in Newcastle.
“Professional Home Loans has provided us with a very professional service, communicating all the available options to us and in the process he has literally saved us $75k that we would have otherwise paid. They certainly go beyond the call of duty. “
Hamilton (Accountant) & Nyari (Doctor) Sydney
Working for QLD Health achieved 90% LVR no LMI at normal rates - From UK. Sunshine Coast, QLD
“We were able to get a loan at a good rate and avoid paying LMI which saved us several thousand dollars that we can now put towards other things. Very helpful and informative about all aspects of the process, not just the loan, which we really appreciated as it made the whole thing a lot easier for us.”
Craig and Louise (Medical Registrars)
On a contracting basis – she got paid roughly 70% of what she billed.
“We assisted Arlyn with a 90% Mortgage with No Lenders Mortgage Insurance payable so she could buy a house and land package Thanks so much. All credits goes back to you as you helped me make all this happen. I couldn’t thank you enough for the job excellently done. “
“You not only got the loan approved on time, but at a better rate! You are professional, honest, dedicated & obviously love what you do-your passion shines through & I look forward to doing all my loans through you from now on!”
Linh