Teacher pay, read properly
Salary, allowances, casual loading and packaging, matched to lenders that count them.
FOR TEACHERS AND EDUCATION STAFF
Home loans for teachers.
Permanent, contract or casual.
Matched to the right lender.
Some lenders treat teaching favourably, with LMI waivers or discounts, professional pricing and fee reductions for eligible teachers. But the perks, and how your income is read, vary a lot between lenders. We compare 40+ lenders to find the policy that fits your role, allowances and salary packaging. Personal guidance from Ausfirst Lending Group in Caloundra.
Excellent · 35 Google reviews
Teacher pay, read properly.Salary, allowances and packaging.
LMIwaivers may
apply.
apply.
40+Lenders on our panel
50+ yearsCombined lending experience
$0Broker fee for home loans
Local careQueensland-wide
THE PERKS ARE REAL, BUT LENDER-SPECIFIC
Teacher benefits depend
on the lender.
LMI waivers, professional pricing and fee reductions aren’t automatic, and eligibility rules differ. Permanent, contract and casual teachers are also assessed differently. We match your role and income to a lender whose policy works in your favour.
40+ lenders
Which offer teacher benefits, and which suit how you’re employed.
One broker throughout
The same person from first chat to settlement, not a call centre.
A “teacher rate” isn’t always best. Once fees and features are counted, another loan may cost less. We compare the real cost.
Start with a free chatHOW LENDERS ASSESS TEACHER INCOME
How you’re employed
changes what you borrow.
And where lenders differ most.
Permanent salary
Base salary is straightforward, and many lenders count consistent allowances too.
Casual and relief
Higher hourly rates, but gaps between terms. Lenders want six to twelve months of pattern.
Contract and probation
Some lenders are cautious; others lend as normal with a signed contract or the right history.
Salary packaging
Common in non-government schools. The right lender grosses it up and adds it to your income.
HOW YOU’RE EMPLOYED
Permanent, contract or casual?
| What changes | Permanent | Contract | Casual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income proof | Payslips | Contract, payslips | Pattern of shifts |
| History needed | Often short | Lender-dependent | Usually 6–12 months |
| Lender choice | Widest | Varies | Varies most |
Lender policies on contract, casual and packaged income vary and can change.
Check my optionsKNOW YOUR NUMBERS
What might a lender
count?
Allowances and salary packaging can lift the income a lender assesses, if they’re counted properly.
Bring a recent payslip and we’ll show you what each lender would count.
- Base salary
- Allowances and casual loading
- Salary packaging, grossed up
- Your employment history
YOUR PAY, AT A GLANCE
How much could count?
$30k$200k
Illustrative assessable income$103,286
Allowances counted$4,000
Packaging grossed up$4,286
Illustration only, not a borrowing assessment. Packaging grossed up assuming a 30% tax rate; lenders use their own method. Annual amounts.
Check my actual optionsLMI, DEPOSIT AND FIRST-HOME OPTIONS
Ways to get in
sooner.
Matched to your deposit and situation, and checked against what you actually qualify for.
LMI WAIVERS AND DISCOUNTS
Available with some lenders.
Some lenders offer LMI waivers or discounts to eligible teachers, subject to role, income and policy.
We check whether you qualify rather than assume it, and look at other paths if you don’t.
Government schemes
The 5% Deposit Scheme may let first home buyers in with a smaller deposit and no LMI. We check what you qualify for.
A family guarantee
Equity in a parent’s home as extra security can remove LMI and get you in without a full deposit.
See family guaranteesNo waiver? You can still buy above 80% with LMI.
Let’s find your smallest sensible deposit. We’ll compare waivers, schemes and guarantees for your situation.
Check my next stepsWHAT YOU’LL NEED TO QUALIFY
Four things most
applications come down to.
Every lender is different, but these matter most.
Proof of your role
Payslips, plus an employment letter or shift history if contract or casual.
A consistent picture
Base salary, allowances, casual loading and packaging.
A tidy credit file
Past issues change which lenders will consider you.
Deposit or guarantor
Savings, equity, a family guarantee or a first home scheme.
THINGS TO WEIGH UP
A few trade-offs
worth knowing.
Before you commit.
Mind the gaps
Budget for school holidays so repayments stay comfortable all year.
Borrow for your life
The maximum approval isn’t always what suits your budget.
Look past the label
A badged teacher offer isn’t always the cheapest once fees count.
No direct cost
Lenders pay us on settlement. We disclose any fees before you proceed.
Buying with less than 20%? See how low deposit loans work.
Explore low deposit loansHOW WE WORK
Advice before
commitment.
We work around the school day, by phone, Zoom or in person.
CONVERSATION
An obligation-free chat
What you can borrow once your role and allowances are counted.
PAYSLIPS
Read your income
Salary, allowances, casual loading and packaging.
STRATEGY
Recommend the lender
The teacher policy and pricing that best fit.
APPLICATION
We handle it
Liaising with the lender, agent and solicitor.
SETTLEMENT
See it through
We coordinate settlement and keep you informed.
AND BEYOND
Six-month review
We review your loan to check it remains competitive.
Richard LukeFounder · Ausfirst Lending Group
WHY TEACHERS WORK WITH AUSFIRST
You teach others.
We’ll look after your loan.
You’re looked after by someone who treats your financial success as his own.
You work directly with Richard Luke, our director, with more than 30 years in Queensland lending. Not a call centre, and not a different voice each time.
We know which lenders offer teacher benefits, and who counts casual, contract and packaged income, so your file isn’t undersold.
Direct access to RichardTeacher policies compared2024 Sunshine Coast Business Awards finalist
Talk to a brokerMore about RichardWHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Good people.
Great support.
ExcellentBased on 35 Google reviews
Google review
“I would describe Richard and Ausfirst Lending as friendly, insightful, prompt and diligent. A pleasure to deal with.”
Google review
“Debbie made the process of buying a new house frictionless, by providing excellent support throughout”
Google review
“I received very prompt responses to all of my questions and the team ensured that my application was processed in a timely manner. The service was brilliant!”
Excerpts from client reviews displayed on Ausfirst’s website. These reflect individual experiences.
LET’S CLEAR THINGS UP
Loans for teachers.
Real questions.
The questions teachers ask us most. Bring a payslip and we’ll talk through the detail.
Ask a questionCan teachers get LMI waived?
Sometimes. Some lenders offer waivers or discounts to eligible teachers, depending on role, income and policy. If not, low deposit, family guarantee or first home options may help.
What income is counted?
Base salary, consistent allowances and salary packaging where your school offers it. Casual teachers are assessed on their pattern of work.
Can casual or relief teachers get a home loan?
Yes, usually with six to twelve months of consistent work. Some lenders are far more comfortable with casual teaching income than others.
Can I buy on a fixed-term contract or probation?
Often, yes. Some lenders lend as normal with the right history or a signed contract.
How much deposit do I need?
It depends. A waiver, the 5% Deposit Scheme or a family guarantee may reduce it; otherwise you can buy above 80% with LMI.
START WITH A CONVERSATION
Talk to a broker who
knows teacher lending.
Bring a recent payslip and we’ll show you what you can borrow, and which teacher benefits you qualify for.
Allowances and packaging counted
LMI and deposit options compared
Direct access to Richard
Visit our Caloundra office
Suite 3/74 Bulcock St, Caloundra QLD 4551
Monday–Friday, and by appointment
YOUR FREE CONSULTATION
Tell us how you’re employed.
Permanent, contract or casual, and what you’re buying.
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