Decoding Lender Policies: Your Interactive Guide

This dashboard provides a live, interactive summary of the key lender policy shifts impacting Australian mortgage brokers. Navigate through the sections to explore detailed changes in servicing, applicant requirements, property restrictions, and the refinance market. The goal is to provide immediate, actionable intelligence to help you place deals effectively.

Servicing & DTI

APRA's 3% buffer is firm, but lenders are now setting their own DTI caps. This is the new primary hurdle.

Applicant Types

Major lenders are simplifying docs for the self-employed, creating new opportunities.

Property Scrutiny

Restrictions are tightening on high-density units and specific postcodes due to market risks.

Refinance Market

Cashback offers are the key weapon in a competitive market. Compare the latest deals.

The New Math of Serviceability

This section details the critical shifts in how lenders calculate borrowing capacity. With APRA holding the 3% serviceability buffer firm, lenders are now competing and differentiating themselves on Debt-to-Income (DTI) limits and income shading. Understanding these nuances is key to managing client expectations and identifying the right lender from the start.

Major Bank DTI Policy Comparison

In response to APRA's warnings, the major banks have implemented their own DTI caps or referral triggers. This chart visualizes the current landscape, showing the maximum DTI a lender may accept. A lower bar indicates a stricter policy. Hover over the bars to see specific policy notes.

A New Deal for the Self-Employed

Lenders are actively competing for the self-employed market, a segment of over two million Australians. This has led to significant policy updates designed to reduce paperwork and simplify income verification. This section compares the new policies from major lenders, highlighting how they are trying to attract business owners. Click on each lender to see the specifics of their updated policies.

Westpac's Aggressive Play

Westpac has halved the standard two-year paperwork requirement, citing a 30% year-on-year increase in lending to this segment.

✓Moves to a one-year income assessment option for eligible applicants.

ANZ's Nuanced Approach

ANZ also moved to a one-year doc requirement but added other changes that materially impact borrowing capacity for business owners with asset finance.

✓Reduced income docs to one year for director fees/dividends.
✓Removed 3% buffer on fixed-rate asset finance, using actual repayments.

Location, Location, Limitation

A strong applicant can be declined if the property itself falls outside a lender's risk appetite. This section outlines the increasing scrutiny on property types and locations, driven by challenges in the construction sector and portfolio risk management. Use the tabs below to explore restrictions on different property categories.

The High-Density Dilemma

Lenders are cautious due to a 45% collapse in new multi-unit construction since 2016. This creates uncertainty about future values. Expect tighter LVRs for:

High-density postcodes.
Buildings with a high number of units.
Off-the-plan purchases.

The Refinance Battleground

The current market is a hotbed of competition for refinances. Cashback offers are the primary tool lenders are using to attract new business. This section provides a sortable list of current major cashback offers. Click on the table headers to sort the data and find the best offers for your clients. Remember to advise clients to weigh the upfront cash against the long-term rate and fees.

Lender	Cashback Amount	Min. Loan	Max. LVR