The Doctor’s Overtime
Income Recognition Simulator
See how much of your overtime and variable income a standard lender counts (commonly ~80%) versus what an eligible specialist medical policy may recognise — before you apply.
If you’re a doctor, hospital registrar, resident, fellow, consultant, dentist or veterinarian in Australia, much of your income can come from rostered overtime, on-call allowances and shift penalties. Most lenders shade that variable income to around 80% under standard policy — but some specialist medical lending policies treat it more generously for eligible AHPRA-registered professionals, and may waive Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) at higher LVRs. This free calculator estimates the difference for your numbers so you can see how income recognition affects your borrowing position.
✅ Current as of 16 June 2026 · estimate only · not a credit quote
Your Numbers
Assessed Serviceable Income
Illustrative estimate only. Specialist policy, income treatment and any LMI waiver vary by lender and eligibility. Not a credit quote, pre-approval or assessment. To turn this into a borrowing figure, run the Borrowing Capacity Simulator.
Walkthrough video — coming soon
A short walkthrough showing how the assessed income shifts as you adjust overtime and recognition will live here.
How Specialist Medical Lending Policy Can Treat Doctor Income Differently
For many hospital registrars, residents, fellows and consultants, variable income — rostered overtime, on-call allowances and shift penalties — makes up a meaningful share of total earnings. Under standard policy, many lenders discount that variable income (commonly assessing overtime at around 80%) to allow for its variability. That can understate what a doctor reliably earns.
From retail guidelines to specialist policy alignment
Some lenders offer specialist policies for eligible medical professionals. Depending on the lender and your circumstances, these may include:
- More generous treatment of overtime and allowances than standard retail policy, preserving more of your actual gross earnings.
- LMI waivers at higher LVRs (commonly up to 90%, sometimes 95%) for eligible borrowers, which can reduce upfront costs — a premium waiver, not an income uplift.
- Recognition of clear career progression in how income is assessed.
Eligibility usually depends on factors like current AHPRA registration and meeting the individual lender’s criteria. The exact treatment, LVR limits and any LMI waiver vary by lender and aren’t guaranteed — they depend on your full situation and the lender’s policy at the time.
How we help
We identify which lenders hold medical-friendly policies that suit your registration, contract type and income mix, so your variable income is assessed as fairly as the lender’s policy allows. This calculator covers one pillar — Income & Serviceability. Your real borrowing outcome depends on all five assessment pillars working together.
Frequently asked questions
Why do standard lenders only count 80% of a doctor’s overtime income?
Under common credit policy, many Australian lenders shade (discount) variable income such as rostered overtime, on-call allowances and shift penalties — commonly assessing it at around 80% — to allow for its variability year to year. For hospital registrars, residents, fellows and consultants, that variable income can be a large share of total earnings, so the shading can materially understate what a doctor reliably earns. The exact treatment varies by lender and individual circumstances.
Can a medical professional have 100% of their overtime recognised?
Some lenders offer specialist policies for eligible medical professionals that treat overtime and allowances more generously than standard retail policy — in some cases recognising a higher proportion of variable income. Eligibility typically depends on factors like current AHPRA registration, your profession, contract type and the individual lender’s criteria. It is not guaranteed and depends on your full situation and the lender’s policy at the time.
Is the LMI waiver for doctors an income boost?
No. A Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) waiver for eligible AHPRA-registered professionals removes the LMI premium — often allowing borrowing at higher LVRs (commonly up to 90%, sometimes 95%) without paying LMI. It can save thousands in upfront costs, but it does not project your income upward or increase your assessed serviceable income. Income treatment and the LMI waiver are two separate things.
Which medical professionals may qualify for specialist policy?
Lender medical policies commonly consider practitioners such as doctors, specialists, dentists and veterinarians, with eligibility usually tied to current AHPRA registration and the specific lender’s accepted profession list. Conditions, LVR limits and income treatment vary by lender and are subject to individual assessment.
Built by Virginia Graham Riches, founder of Model Mortgages, supported by a specialist team of five mortgage brokers. We map medical income structures to the underwriting desks that hold medical-friendly policies.
Book a Strategy Session to Review Your Medical Lending OptionsEstimate only — not a quote, credit assessment, or personal advice. Standard lenders typically recognise overtime/variable income at ~80%; some lenders apply more for established medical roles (eligibility and policy vary). A separate LMI waiver for eligible AHPRA-registered professionals removes the LMI premium — it does not project your income upward. Medical LMI-waiver and income policies are lender-set, not regulated; eligibility is tied to AHPRA registration (ahpra.gov.au) and profession.
General information only; Model Mortgages Pty Ltd, Australian Credit Licence 387460 (ABN 82 108 681 063), a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). Tax matters: confirm with your accountant.