Australian accountant reviewing home loan options
Accounting & Finance Professionals — Up to 95% LVR

Accountants Can Save $35,000–$61,000 on Their Home Loan

As a qualified accountant, you understand unnecessary costs. Lenders Mortgage Insurance is one of the biggest — and many Australian lenders will waive it entirely for CA, CPA, CFA, and FIAA professionals borrowing up to 95% LVR.

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How Much Could You Save?

Indicative LMI savings for accountants borrowing at 95% LVR. Based on typical Helia/QBE premiums.

Starter home

$750,000 property

$34,000

saved on LMI

Family home

$1,000,000 property

$46,000

saved on LMI

Premium home

$1,500,000 property

$61,000

saved on LMI

See Your Estimated Savings

We compare 50+ lenders to find you the lowest rate

Commonwealth Bank
ANZ
Westpac
NAB
Macquarie Bank
ING
Bankwest
St. George
Suncorp
Bank of Queensland
AMP
Citibank
Adelaide Bank
BankSA
RAMS
Liberty Financial
ME Bank
Firstmac
Commonwealth Bank
ANZ
Westpac
NAB
Macquarie Bank
ING
Bankwest
St. George
Suncorp
Bank of Queensland
AMP
Citibank
Adelaide Bank
BankSA
RAMS
Liberty Financial
ME Bank
Firstmac
Heritage Bank
Pepper Money
La Trobe Financial
Resimac
Virgin Money
Bank Australia
Newcastle Permanent
Teachers Mutual Bank
UniBank
BankFirst
Auswide Bank
Southern Cross Credit Union
Gateway Bank
Bluestone
Better Choice
RedZed
MKM Capital
Prime Capital
Heritage Bank
Pepper Money
La Trobe Financial
Resimac
Virgin Money
Bank Australia
Newcastle Permanent
Teachers Mutual Bank
UniBank
BankFirst
Auswide Bank
Southern Cross Credit Union
Gateway Bank
Bluestone
Better Choice
RedZed
MKM Capital
Prime Capital

What Does Lenders Mortgage Insurance Mean for Accountants?

Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is a one-off premium charged when you borrow more than 80% of a property's value. It can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000+ depending on your loan size and deposit.

Here's the important part: LMI protects the lender, not you. You pay the cost, but receive no personal benefit. It exists solely because lenders consider a lower deposit as higher risk for them.

The good news for accountants? Many Australian lenders will completely waive LMI for professionals in approved occupations. That means you can buy with a smaller deposit and keep thousands of dollars that would otherwise go to an insurance premium you'd never benefit from.

Learn more about LMI

Could You Save on LMI?

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Check Your Eligibility — Free

Which Accountants Qualify for an LMI Waiver?

Lenders classify qualified accountants and finance professionals as low-risk borrowers due to strong financial literacy, stable career paths, and above-average earning potential. If you hold a recognised designation from one of the professional bodies below, you likely qualify.

Qualifying Roles

  • Chartered Accountants (CA) — CA ANZ members
  • Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) — CPA Australia members
  • Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) — CFA Institute charterholders
  • Fellows of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia (FIAA)
  • Public Accountants — IPA Fellows
  • Financial Controllers (with CA, CPA, or CFA)
  • Chief Financial Officers (CFOs)
  • Audit Partners & Managers (with CA or CPA)
  • Management Accountants (with CA or CPA)
  • Tax Accountants (with CA or CPA qualification)
  • Overseas-qualified accountants with mutual recognition from CA ANZ or CPA Australia

Typical Requirements

  • Hold current, full membership with CA ANZ, CPA Australia, CFA Institute, or Institute of Actuaries — provisional and student memberships do not qualify
  • Currently practising or employed in an accounting, finance, or actuarial role
  • Meeting the lender's minimum income threshold (typically $150K+, though some lenders accept from $100K)
  • Borrowing within the lender's tiered loan caps — typically $1M at 95% LVR, up to $1.5M–$2M at 90% LVR
  • Owner-occupied property for 95% LVR — investment properties are typically capped at 90% LVR

Provisional CA or CPA members, student members, bookkeepers, and accounting graduates without a qualifying designation do not qualify for an LMI waiver. For joint applications with a non-accountant partner, most lenders require the qualified accountant to hold at least a 50% property interest. Eligibility criteria vary by lender.

Check If You Qualify

LVR & Deposit Options for Accountants

How much deposit do you need? With an LMI waiver, far less than you might think.

Maximum Savings

95% LVR — No LMI

5% deposit required

  • Borrow up to 95% of the property value — no LMI
  • Only 5% deposit required, saving you up to $61,000
  • Available from select lenders including ANZ, CBA, and NAB
  • Typically capped at $1M loan amount at this tier
Learn about 95% LVR options Most Popular

90% LVR — No LMI

10% deposit required

  • Borrow up to 90% of the property value — no LMI
  • The most widely available LMI waiver tier for accountants
  • Higher loan caps available (up to $1.5M–$2M with major banks)
  • Competitive rates from Westpac, St. George, BankSA, and others
Learn about 90% LVR options

Income Assessment for Accountants

How lenders assess your income depends on your employment structure. Your accounting qualification demonstrates financial literacy, but lenders still follow standard income verification processes. Understanding these requirements upfront helps you maximise borrowing power.

PAYG / Salaried Accountants

  • Base salary plus regular bonuses and allowances
  • 2 most recent payslips and employment contract required
  • Letter confirming role, designation, and tenure
  • Fastest path to approval — typically 3–5 business days

Self-Employed / Practice Owners

  • Minimum 2 years of tax returns and full financials required
  • ABN must be registered for at least 2 years
  • Add-backs for depreciation and personal superannuation considered
  • Self-prepared financials may attract additional lender scrutiny
Self-employed accountants should be aware that some lenders apply extra scrutiny to self-prepared financial statements. Where possible, have an independent accountant or auditor review your financials before applying. We'll match you with lenders experienced in assessing accounting practice income.

How to Get Your LMI Waived

Three simple steps between you and saving thousands.

1

Check Your Eligibility

Tell us your profession and borrowing needs. Our free tool takes 60 seconds and checks your eligibility across 50+ lenders.

2

We Match You With a Lender

We compare lender policies to find the best LMI waiver for your situation — maximising your borrowing power and minimising your costs.

3

Settlement, No LMI

Your home loan settles without paying a cent in Lenders Mortgage Insurance. That's thousands of dollars saved, straight away.

Accountants LMI Waiver FAQs

Common questions about LMI waivers for accountants.

Do all accountants qualify for an LMI waiver?
No. You must hold current, full membership with a recognised professional body — CA ANZ, CPA Australia, CFA Institute, or the Institute of Actuaries of Australia. Bookkeepers, accounting graduates without these designations, provisional members, and student members do not qualify. Your membership must be verified as current at the time of application.
What's the difference between CA and CPA for LMI waiver purposes?
For LMI waiver eligibility, there is no practical difference. Both CA (via Chartered Accountants ANZ) and CPA (via CPA Australia) qualify equally with all major lenders. Both can access up to 95% LVR with select lenders and 90% LVR across 20+ lenders. The key requirement is full professional membership — not which body issued it.
Can CFA charterholders get an LMI waiver?
Yes. Chartered Financial Analysts with current CFA Institute membership qualify for LMI waivers with multiple Australian lenders, including ANZ, CBA, and NAB. The same LVR tiers and loan caps apply as for CA and CPA members. You'll need to provide evidence of current charterholder status or membership.
Do FIAA members qualify for LMI waivers?
Yes. Fellows of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia (FIAA) qualify under the accounting and finance professional category with most major lenders. You'll need evidence of current fellowship status. Associate members of the Institute of Actuaries (AIAA) typically do not qualify — full fellowship is required.
How much can accountants save by waiving LMI?
At 95% LVR (5% deposit), a qualified accountant purchasing a $750,000 property could save approximately $34,000. For a $1 million property, savings reach around $46,000, and for a $1.5 million property, over $61,000. At 90% LVR (10% deposit), savings are lower but still substantial — typically $14,000 to $30,000 depending on property price and lender. Use our LMI savings calculator to estimate your exact figure.
What's the maximum LVR for accountants?
Select lenders offer up to 95% LVR with no Lenders Mortgage Insurance for qualified accountants — requiring only a 5% deposit. This tier typically has a $1M loan cap. The most widely available tier is 90% LVR, offered by 20+ lenders with higher loan caps of $1.5M–$2M. Some lenders also offer 85% LVR with the broadest terms and highest loan limits.
Can I get an LMI waiver with provisional CA or CPA membership?
No. Provisional and student memberships with CA ANZ or CPA Australia do not qualify for LMI waivers. You must hold full membership. If you've recently completed your qualification program, ensure your membership has been upgraded from provisional to full before lodging a home loan application.
What if I'm buying with a non-accountant partner?
Joint applications with a non-accountant spouse or partner are accepted by most lenders. The qualified accountant typically needs to hold at least a 50% interest in the property (an equal or majority share). Both incomes can contribute to loan serviceability. Some lenders are more flexible on ownership splits — a broker can identify the best fit for your situation.
Is the LMI waiver available for investment properties?
Some lenders extend LMI waivers to investment properties for qualified accountants, but the maximum LVR is typically capped at 90% rather than 95%. Owner-occupied purchases receive the most favourable terms and widest lender selection. If you're considering an investment property, speak with a broker to confirm which lenders currently offer this.
Can self-employed accountants get an LMI waiver?
Yes. Self-employed accountants in private practice qualify for LMI waivers provided they hold current CA, CPA, CFA, or FIAA membership. Income assessment differs from PAYG — lenders typically require a minimum of 2 years of tax returns, full financials, and an ABN registered for at least 2 years. Some lenders require 3 years of financials for self-employed applicants.
Do I need a minimum income to qualify?
Most lenders set a minimum income threshold between $100,000 and $150,000 gross annual income. However, a small number of lenders offer LMI waivers with no minimum income requirement for qualifying accounting professionals, subject to other lending criteria. Your broker can identify lenders that match your income level.
Will the LMI waiver affect my interest rate?
No. The LMI waiver does not change your interest rate — you receive the same rate as any other borrower at your LVR. Many lenders also offer professional home loan packages for accountants that include competitive rate discounts alongside the LMI waiver, potentially saving you even more over the life of the loan.
I qualified overseas — do I still qualify for an LMI waiver?
You may qualify if your overseas qualification is recognised through a mutual recognition agreement. CA ANZ and CPA Australia both have reciprocal arrangements with international accounting bodies including ICAEW, ICAS, AICPA, and others. You'll need to hold a current Australian membership or provide evidence of recognised mutual membership status.
Do I need genuine savings for the deposit?
Requirements vary by lender. Some require genuine savings (funds held in your account for at least 3 months), while others accept gifted deposits, share equity, or other non-genuine savings sources for qualifying professionals. At 95% LVR, genuine savings requirements are more common. A broker can match you with lenders that accept your deposit source.
How quickly can I get approved?
Check your eligibility in 60 seconds with our free tool. The LMI waiver is applied automatically as part of your home loan application — there is no separate approval process. Full loan approval typically takes 3–5 business days for PAYG applicants and 5–10 business days for self-employed accountants, depending on the lender and complexity of your financials.

LMI Waivers for Other Professions

Not a match? See which other professionals qualify for LMI waivers.

Lawyers LMI waiver
Up to 95% LVR

Lawyers

Admitted legal practitioners — solicitors, barristers, partners, and in-house counsel — can borrow up to 95% LVR without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance through select lenders.

Learn more
Engineers LMI waiver
Up to 95% LVR

Engineers

Qualified engineers across civil, mechanical, mining, electrical, and other disciplines can access LMI waivers up to 95% LVR with select lenders.

Learn more
Doctors LMI waiver
Up to 95% LVR

Doctors

AHPRA-registered medical practitioners — including GPs, specialists, surgeons, and registrars — can borrow up to 95% LVR with no Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

Learn more
Dentists LMI waiver
Up to 95% LVR

Dentists

AHPRA-registered dental practitioners — including general dentists and all 13 recognised specialties — can borrow up to 95% LVR with no Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

Learn more
View all qualifying professions

Ready to Save Thousands on Your Accountant's Home Loan?

Find out if you qualify for an LMI waiver as a accountant. It's free, takes 60 seconds, and there's no obligation.

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The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute financial advice. LMI waiver eligibility, savings estimates, and loan terms vary between lenders and are subject to individual assessment. Figures shown are indicative only and based on typical lender policies as of 2026. Always obtain personalised advice before making financial decisions.