Aged care nurses often work long hours across rotating rosters, weekends, and overnight shifts. The job is demanding, but the income can be steady, especially with overtime and penalty rates. Yet when it comes to applying for a home loan, that income may not always be seen in the right light.
Many banks prefer simple, full-time employment with predictable pay. So if you’re working casually, across multiple facilities, or through an agency, your application might face more scrutiny, even if your earnings are reliable. That doesn’t mean home ownership is out of reach. It just means finding a lender who understands how aged care income works and a broker who can present it clearly.
In this guide, AxJ Finance Brokers explains how home loans for aged care nurses work, what lenders look for, and how to boost your approval chances.
Why Not All Nurse Home Loan Applications Are Treated the Same
Not all nursing roles are viewed the same way by lenders. While nursing is generally seen as a trusted and essential profession, the structure of your income can significantly influence how your home loan application is assessed.
Some nurses work full-time with consistent hours and predictable pay, while others rely on rotating shifts, overtime, casual contracts, or agency work. These variations can make your income appear less stable on paper, even if you’ve been working regularly for years. Lenders often prefer applicants with straightforward, salaried income because it’s easier to verify and assess against lending criteria.
This difference in how income is earned means that nurses in different roles may face very different outcomes when applying for a home loan. It’s not about the value of the work you do, but how that work is documented and perceived from a lending perspective.
What Lenders Look for When You Work in Aged Care
Lenders want to see that your income is stable and enough to support a home loan. While policies vary, most lenders focus on a few key areas to determine your borrowing capacity. Some may average casual income over time, while others only accept guaranteed hours. That’s why presenting your income clearly and choosing a lender who understands your employment type is so important.
Here’s what lenders typically assess:
- Employment type – Full-time, part-time, casual, or contract
- Income history – At least three to six months of consistent payslips or bank deposits
- Job stability – Time spent in your current role or within the aged care sector
- Additional income – Regular overtime, shift loadings, or agency work with proof
- Credit profile – Clean credit history and manageable debt levels
- Savings behaviour – Consistent contributions and sensible spending habits
Home Loan Benefits Aged Care Nurses May Qualify For
Home loan benefits for aged care nurses may help lower costs or improve your chances of approval. Here are some you could be eligible for:
LMI waivers or discounts
Some lenders offer Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) waivers for eligible healthcare workers, especially Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nurses. This may allow you to buy with a smaller deposit, sometimes as low as 10%, and avoid the added cost of LMI, which could save you thousands.
First Home Buyer Grants and Incentives
As a first home buyer, you may be eligible for government incentives such as the First Home Guarantee and First Home Owner Grant (FHOG). These programs may lower upfront costs and support aged care nurses on modest incomes in getting into the property market more easily.
Access to essential worker loan products
Some lenders offer specialised home loan products for essential workers like nurses, which may include more lenient income assessment policies, interest rate discounts, or fee waivers. These products often take shift loadings and casual income into account more favourably.
Stamp duty concessions
Depending on the state or territory you live in, you may qualify for stamp duty exemptions or concessions as a first-home buyer. These may greatly lower your upfront costs, particularly if the property falls within your local price threshold.
More flexible income assessment
Lenders experienced in working with nurses may be more willing to include penalty rates, overtime, agency income, or second jobs in their assessment, provided you can show consistency over time.
Regional buyer incentives
If you work in aged care in a regional area, you may also be eligible for additional government support under the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee or local grants aimed at increasing home ownership in rural communities.
Before relying on these benefits, check your eligibility and the conditions. Knowing what’s available could help you buy sooner with less financial stress.
How Different Nursing Roles Are Treated by Lenders
Lenders assess nursing roles differently based on your specialty, employment type, and how your income is structured. Here’s how various sectors within nursing are generally viewed:
1. Aged Care Nurses
Aged care nurses are generally recognised for working in a high-demand, essential field. However, many are employed on a casual or part-time basis, and hourly rates in this sector tend to be lower than in hospital settings. Lenders may see these factors as risks, especially if your income varies from week to week or lacks guaranteed hours. Even with long-term employment, the perception of casual work can affect how your borrowing capacity is assessed.
2. Mental Health and Community Nurses
Nurses in mental health or community settings often work across different employers, including public hospitals, private clinics, and outreach programs. This can result in multiple income streams, which may appear inconsistent or fragmented to lenders. Unless your earnings are steady and well-documented across each role, some lenders may hesitate to treat the income as stable. Employment arrangements in this field can also involve contract or grant-based roles, adding further complexity.
3. ICU and Emergency Nurses
ICU and emergency nurses usually earn strong base salaries with significant income from overtime, shift penalties, or irregular hours. However, lenders may discount this additional income if it isn’t consistent over time. If your roster changes frequently or if overtime varies month to month, some lenders will only include a portion of your total earnings in their assessment. Despite the high-pressure nature of the role, income reliability, rather than job difficulty, is the key factor in how your application is treated.
4. Theatre and Surgical Nurses
Surgical and theatre nurses often work under contract or through agencies, which can mean income tied to variable hospital demand. Lenders are typically more cautious with these arrangements, especially if shifts are unpredictable or if there’s limited evidence of ongoing work. Even if the total income is solid, fluctuating hours and a lack of formal long-term contracts can lead lenders to question sustainability.
5. Remote and Regional Nurses
Remote and regional nurses are crucial to Australia’s healthcare system, but some lenders view these roles as less stable, particularly when tied to temporary placements or short-term contracts. Location can also play a role in lender confidence, especially if the employment is isolated or not backed by a large institution. However, nurses working under state health contracts or in government-funded roles may be treated more favourably, depending on the lender’s risk appetite and familiarity with regional employment.
6. Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists
Senior nurses in advanced practice roles may earn higher incomes, but their pay structures can be more complex. It’s common to have multiple roles, consulting income, or added allowances. Lenders often apply stricter scrutiny in these cases to verify consistency and sustainability. If income varies across roles or is project-based, lenders may take a conservative approach unless supported by detailed, long-term documentation.
Understanding how your role is likely to be assessed can help you anticipate potential roadblocks and choose a lender who aligns with your work situation.
How to Strengthen Your Application as an Aged Care Nurse
If you work casually, across multiple facilities, or pick up agency shifts, preparing a strong application can make all the difference. Lenders want to see that your income is reliable, even if it varies week to week. These steps can help give them that confidence:
- Get a letter from each employer – Confirm your role, start date, and average hours.
- Include 3 to 6 months of payslips – Show a steady income pattern across all roles.
- Use bank statements – Back up deposits and show positive saving habits.
- Declare all income sources – Include agency shifts and secondary jobs.
- Reduce unnecessary debt – Pay down personal loans and lower credit limits.
- Add a co-borrower or guarantor – Boost borrowing power if your income is borderline.
- Consult a mortgage broker for nurses – They can match you with the right lender.
For those considering applying with someone else, reviewing joint loan tips for nurses buying with a partner or friend may help clarify how shared applications could be approached more effectively.
What Documents You’ll Need to Apply
Having the right documents ready can speed up the process and strengthen your case. This is especially important if your income varies or you work across multiple roles. Lenders want to see a clear, consistent picture of how you earn and manage your money.
Here’s what you’ll typically need:
- Recent payslips (last 3–6 months) from each employer
- A letter or contract confirming your role, pay, and hours
- Your latest income statement or group certificate
- Bank statements showing income and spending
- ATO Notice of Assessment if you’ve worked under an ABN
- AHPRA registration (for Registered or Enrolled Nurses)
Why a Mortgage Broker Makes the Process Easier for Aged Care Nurses
Getting a home loan isn’t always straightforward when your income varies from week to week. For aged care nurses, a mortgage broker can make the process much easier.
Unlike banks, brokers can compare a wide range of lenders, including those familiar with casual, agency, or shift-based income. They know how to present your income clearly so it’s assessed fairly and can help with the paperwork to keep things on track.
Beyond the loan approval, a broker can also support you long term, whether you’re looking to refinance or plan your next move. Having someone who understands both your work and the lending process can make a big difference.
Coordinating your home loan with the right professionals may help ensure nothing important is overlooked, especially when building the right team to manage the complexities of home loans could offer steadier footing through each stage of the process.
Ready to apply for a home loan for nurses? Get in touch today to find options that fit your income and work hours.
Secure a Home Loan That Matches Your Role and Income
No matter which area of nursing you work in, there are home loan options that could suit your income and employment setup. The key is working with a mortgage broker who understands how different nursing roles are assessed and which lenders are more flexible with casual, shift-based, or multiple income streams.
Whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading to something new, or just exploring what’s possible, having the right broker by your side can make the entire process feel more manageable and far less overwhelming.
No matter your nursing role, you deserve the right support. AxJ Finance Brokers is here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It’s possible, but it depends on the lender. Some may prefer you to finish your probation period first, especially if you’re working casually or part-time. Others may approve your loan if you have previous experience in aged care, a solid employment history, and a good deposit.
Having more than one income stream can improve your borrowing power, but only if each income is consistent and well-documented. Lenders will usually need payslips and bank statements from all sources to include them in your total income.
Not always, but some lenders may ask for a higher deposit if they see your income as less stable. A larger deposit can reduce your risk profile and may also lower or remove the need for Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
Some lenders offer discounts or LMI waivers for nurses, but eligibility depends on your income, loan amount, and role. These offers are usually available to Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nurses, particularly if you meet other lending criteria.
Yes. Lenders need a full picture of your income to assess your application properly. Leaving out an employer or shift could cause delays or reduce your assessed borrowing capacity, even if the income is consistent.