As an allied health professional, an optometrist can often access lending benefits that standard applicants don’t. Some lenders extend medico-style policies to optometrists — including waived or reduced Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), higher borrowing and professional-package pricing — though these are more conditional than for doctors, so eligibility is worth checking rather than assuming.
Ausfirst Lending Group is a Sunshine Coast finance advisory business. We assess options from a panel of more than 40 lenders, work out which allied-health policies you actually qualify for, and present your income — whether you’re employed or run your own practice — the way lenders read it.
Whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading, refinancing or building an investment portfolio, the starting point is matching your profession and income to the lender whose policy suits you.
Some lenders extend medico-style LMI waivers to eligible optometrists.
Salaried, contractor or practice owner — presented the way lenders assess it.
The same person from first chat through to settlement.
Lenders view established allied health professionals as stable, low-risk borrowers, so some extend medico-style benefits — waived LMI, higher LVRs and professional pricing — to optometrists. The catch is that the eligible occupations and the size of the benefit vary more between lenders than they do for doctors, so the value is in checking which policy genuinely applies to you.
Where being an allied health professional can change the deal — subject to lender policy and eligibility:
Some lenders offer eligible optometrists an LMI waiver or discount, in some cases up to 90% of the property value — which can save thousands upfront. It is more conditional than for doctors, so we confirm it against current lender policy before you rely on it.
A stable professional income can support a higher borrowing capacity with the right lender — useful for a higher-value home or an investment purchase.
Some lenders offer discounted or professional-package rates to eligible allied health professionals. Over the life of a loan, that can be a meaningful saving.
Loans that waive LMI usually still include the standard features — offset accounts, redraw, split and fixed or variable options — matched to how you manage your money.
Optometrists earn in different ways, and how you earn changes what a lender will count:
If you’re salaried in a practice or retail group, your income is straightforward — usually 100% of base pay, with consistent bonuses and commissions counted in part.
Self-employed income is read from your returns and business accounts, with add-backs for depreciation and one-off costs. Income spread across a company or trust needs a lender that reads that structure correctly.
Assessed more like self-employment; for newer ABNs a low-doc approach using BAS and bank statements can work — see also self-employed home loans.
Lenders offering allied-health policies generally want current AHPRA registration as an optometrist — it’s the evidence that unlocks the profession-based benefits.
A few common situations, as general illustrations only — your outcome depends on the lender and your circumstances:
An optometrist buying at 90% LVR may, where eligible, avoid LMI through a medico-style policy — potentially saving several thousand dollars upfront. A family guarantee or first-home scheme can be an alternative if a waiver doesn’t apply.
Coming off a fixed rate often means a jump in repayments. Reviewing the market before you roll onto the revert rate can surface a more competitive option — some lenders also run cashback offers, subject to their terms.
For a practice owner with income across a company or trust, the right lender — plus tidying up unused credit-card limits — can materially change what you can borrow. It’s about matching the structure to a lender that reads it well.
The value is matching the allied-health benefit to the way you actually earn:
Allied-health eligibility varies more than it does for doctors. We keep track of which lenders extend medico-style benefits to optometrists, and at what LVR — so you’re not assuming a policy that doesn’t apply.
Add-backs, trust and company income, ABN and low-doc options — we handle this every week, so a practice owner isn’t undersold at application.
You work directly with Richard Luke, our director, with more than 30 years in Queensland lending — not a call centre.
For most home loans our service is provided at no direct cost to you, because the lender pays us a commission on settlement. We explain and disclose any fees before you proceed.
A simple, four-step process built around advice before commitment:
We work out what you can borrow and which allied-health policies you qualify for — no cost, no pressure.
We assess the panel and recommend the lender whose policy and income rules best fit how you earn.
We prepare and submit everything — including your AHPRA and income evidence — and liaise with the lender and solicitor for you.
We see it through to settlement and review your loan at six months to check it remains competitive.
You take care of your patients — we’ll take care of the home loan. Tell us how you earn and what you’re buying, and we’ll show you which benefits you qualify for. A quick, obligation-free chat is the best place to start.
Prefer to talk in person? We’re based in the heart of Caloundra and happy to sit down with you for an obligation-free chat.
Suite 3/74 Bulcock Street
Caloundra QLD 4551
Phone: (07) 3916 7070
Open Monday to Friday, and by appointment.
Sometimes. Some lenders extend medico-style LMI waivers to eligible optometrists, in some cases up to 90% of the property value. It is more conditional than for doctors and depends on the lender and your circumstances, so we confirm eligibility rather than assume it applies.
It changes over time and depends on your income and role, so we don't publish a fixed list. Across a panel of more than 40 lenders we keep track of who currently extends medico-style benefits to optometrists and other allied health professionals, and we check your eligibility before you apply.
No. Employed optometrists, contractors and practice owners can all be considered. What changes is how your income is assessed, not whether you can access profession-based benefits where a lender offers them.
Usually from your tax returns and business accounts, with add-backs for depreciation and one-off costs. Income spread across a company or trust needs a lender that reads that structure correctly; for newer ABNs, a low-doc approach using BAS and bank statements can help.
For most home loans, no. Our service is generally provided at no direct cost to you because the lender pays a commission on settlement. We disclose any fees that do apply before you proceed.
At Ausfirst Lending Group, we understand that medical and healthcare professionals need more than just a loan—they need a lending partner who appreciates their unique journey. Whether you're a doctor, nurse, dentist, or allied health specialist, we provide tailored home loan solutions with personal guidance, LMI waivers, and flexible options that fit your career and lifestyle. With Richard’s 30+ years of hands-on broking experience, we ensure your loan process is managed with care, transparency, and expertise from start to finish
Educators play a vital role in shaping future generations, and we’re here to ensure their home loan journey is just as rewarding. Whether you're a school teacher, early childhood educator, university lecturer, or support staff member, we offer home loan solutions designed to recognise your dedication to the community. From exclusive lending benefits to flexible loan structures, we simplify the process so you can focus on what you do best—teaching and supporting others.
For those who serve and protect—whether in law enforcement, emergency services, legal professions, or defence—navigating the home loan process should be as straightforward as possible. We offer tailored mortgage solutions that acknowledge the unique demands of your profession, providing structured lending benefits, flexible options, and personalised support.
From police officers and firefighters to lawyers and defence personnel, we’re here to simplify your path to homeownership with solutions designed around your service.
