Home Loans for Accountants (2026): The LMI Waiver That Could Save You $40,000
Eligible CA and CPA accountants may buy with a 10% deposit and no LMI, a potential saving of tens of thousands (select lenders, 2026).
- Eligible accountants can have LMI waived up to 90% LVR, meaning a 10% deposit with no Lenders Mortgage Insurance, a saving that commonly runs $10,000 to $40,000 on typical loans, and $60,000+ on larger purchases.
- You generally need current, active membership of a recognised body, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) or CPA Australia, and to be practising. A degree alone usually isn’t enough.
- Some lenders have dropped the old high-income hurdle. At least one major lender now waives LMI for eligible CA/CPA members with no minimum income, subject to conditions.
- It’s not just for first homes. The professional waiver can apply to owner-occupied and investment purchases, with rate discounts and fee waivers often available too.
- You don’t have to do the comparing. Accountant lending policy differs at every lender and changes often. Comparing 40+ lenders is precisely what a broker does for you, at no cost.
You spend your working life balancing everyone else’s books. Somewhere between the BAS lodgements, the client tax returns and the late-night reconciliations, your own finances tend to come last. So here’s a piece of housekeeping worth doing properly: as a qualified accountant, you may be eligible for home loans that most borrowers can’t access, specifically, the ability to buy with a 10% deposit and pay no Lenders Mortgage Insurance, plus interest-rate discounts that banks reserve for “blue-chip” professions. At Everstone Finance, we’re ex-bankers who structure these for accountants across Australia. This guide explains exactly what the accountant LMI waiver is, who qualifies, how much it saves, and how to claim it without adding another job to your list. Finance professionals employed by the banks themselves have their own path, see our bank employee home loans guide.
- What is the accountant LMI waiver?
- Why do banks give accountants special lending?
- Who qualifies for an accountant home loan?
- How much does the accountant LMI waiver save?
- Beyond the waiver: rate discounts and structure
- Accountant waiver vs first-home government schemes
- How to claim the accountant LMI waiver
- Mistakes accountants make with their own home loans
- Accountant home loan glossary
- Home loans for accountants FAQ
Accountants holding CA or CPA membership are recognised by several Australian lenders as eligible professionals, letting them borrow up to 90% of a property’s value, and in some cases higher, with Lenders Mortgage Insurance waived. This means a qualifying accountant can avoid LMI without the usual 20% deposit.
What is the accountant LMI waiver?
The accountant LMI waiver lets eligible Chartered Accountants and CPAs borrow up to 90% of a property’s value (a 10% deposit) without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Normally, any borrower with less than a 20% deposit pays LMI, an insurance premium that protects the lender, not you, and can cost from a few thousand to well over $40,000. As an eligible accountant, that cost can be waived entirely.
LMI is one of the largest avoidable costs in buying a home. It exists because lenders see deposits under 20% as higher risk, so they insure themselves, and pass the premium to you. Certain professions, accountants prominently among them, are considered low enough risk that lenders waive the premium altogether. For an accountant buying at a typical capital-city price, that’s often the difference between buying this year and saving for another two.
Why do banks give accountants special lending?
Lenders classify accountants as “blue-chip” borrowers: stable career path, consistent and rising income, and a statistically low risk of default. Because the risk is low, banks compete for accountants’ business with LMI waivers, rate discounts and fee waivers, the same way they court doctors and lawyers.
It isn’t goodwill, it’s risk pricing. An accountant with a CA or CPA designation represents a borrower whose income is predictable and whose financial literacy is high, exactly the profile a lender wants on its book. The result is a genuine, lasting advantage that many accountants simply never claim, because nobody told them it existed or they were too busy to look into it. Accountants aren’t the only profession lenders treat this way: we’ve written separate guides to home loans for teachers, nurses and dentists, each with its own eligibility rules and limits.
Who qualifies for an accountant home loan?
To qualify for the accountant LMI waiver in 2026 you generally need to: be a current, active member of CA ANZ or CPA Australia (some lenders also accept CFA or FIAA), be currently practising (retirees and students don’t qualify), and meet the lender’s deposit and credit requirements. Some lenders apply a minimum income; others have removed it for CA/CPA members.
The exact criteria vary by lender, which is the whole reason a broker matters here. The common requirements across most lenders are:
| Requirement | What lenders typically look for |
|---|---|
| Membership | Current, active CA ANZ or CPA Australia membership (some accept CFA, FIAA). Evidence via membership certificate or renewal receipt. |
| Practising status | Currently employed and practising as an accountant. Retirees and students are not eligible. |
| Deposit / LVR | Generally a 10% deposit (up to 90% LVR). Some lenders extend to 95% LVR for strong profiles. |
| Income | Historically a high minimum; in 2026 some lenders waive LMI for CA/CPA members with no minimum income, subject to conditions. |
| Purpose | Owner-occupied and, with many lenders, investment purchases. Not limited to first homes. |
| Overseas qualifications | Often accepted where the body is part of the Global Accounting Alliance, or after conversion to local CA/CPA membership. |
Overseas-qualified? Australian lenders frequently recognise reciprocal memberships from bodies such as the ICAEW (UK), AICPA (USA) or SAICA (South Africa), particularly where you’ve converted to a local CA or CPA designation. A broker confirms which lenders accept your specific credential.
How much does the accountant LMI waiver save?
The saving equals the LMI premium you avoid, which scales with loan size and deposit. On a 90% LVR loan it commonly ranges from about $10,000 to $40,000, and can exceed $60,000 on larger purchases. The larger the loan and the smaller the deposit, the larger the premium, and so the larger your saving as an eligible accountant.
Because LMI is calculated on the loan amount and the loan-to-value ratio, the dollar figures get significant fast at Australian capital-city prices. The table below shows indicative LMI costs a non-eligible borrower might pay at 90% LVR, which is roughly what an eligible accountant avoids entirely.
| Property price | 10% deposit | Loan (90% LVR) | Indicative LMI avoided |
|---|---|---|---|
| $600,000 | $60,000 | $540,000 | ~$11,000 to $13,000 |
| $800,000 | $80,000 | $720,000 | ~$17,000 to $22,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $100,000 | $900,000 | ~$26,000 to $32,000 |
| $1,250,000 | $125,000 | $1,125,000 | ~$35,000 to $42,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $150,000 | $1,350,000 | ~$45,000 to $55,000 |
| $2,000,000 | $200,000 | $1,800,000 | ~$60,000 to $75,000 |
Two things make this even more valuable. First, avoiding LMI means you don’t capitalise that premium onto your loan, so you’re not paying interest on it for years. Second, getting in at 90% LVR rather than waiting to save a full 20% can mean buying sooner, which, in the markets we covered in our guide to Australia’s least affordable cities, can matter as much as the premium itself.
Beyond the waiver: rate discounts and structure
The LMI waiver gets the headlines, but it’s often not the only benefit on the table for accountants. Because lenders compete for this profession, eligible accountants can frequently access:
- Professional-package interest-rate discounts, ongoing margin reductions off the standard variable rate, available even if you have a 20% deposit and don’t need the waiver.
- Annual and application fee waivers on certain products and packages.
- Offset and redraw flexibility structured to suit variable or bonus-based income, common in accounting careers.
- Higher borrowing-power treatment at some lenders that view the profession’s income trajectory favourably.
Even with 20% saved: you can still benefit. Accountants with a full deposit often access professional-package rate discounts and fee waivers, so the advantage isn’t only about avoiding LMI, it’s about a sharper deal overall.
Accountant waiver vs first-home government schemes
The accountant LMI waiver and the First Home Guarantee both eliminate LMI, but differently. The guarantee needs only a 5% deposit but is limited to eligible first-home buyers and (typically) owner-occupied homes within price caps. The accountant waiver needs a 10% deposit but applies to any purchase purpose, not just first homes, with no price caps tied to the scheme.
For a first-home-buying accountant with a 10% deposit, both paths can be on the table, and the right answer depends on your numbers. A broker compares them side by side and recommends whichever produces the best total outcome. For the full first-home picture, see our guide to first-home grants and stamp duty by state.
How to claim the accountant LMI waiver
To use your accountant home loan benefits: 1) confirm your CA ANZ or CPA membership is current, 2) gather evidence (membership certificate or renewal receipt), 3) have a broker match you to the lender whose accountant policy best fits your income, deposit and purchase type, and 4) get pre-approved so you can act. A broker does steps 3 and 4 at no cost to you.
The catch is that accountant lending policy is fine print that changes constantly, and ringing around lenders to compare it is nobody’s idea of a good use of billable hours. That’s exactly the work a broker removes. We hold the current policies, know which lender is offering the strongest accountant terms right now, and package the application so your membership evidence and income are presented the way each lender wants to see them. You keep doing what you do best, and we handle the comparison, the same division of labour you’d recommend to your own clients.
Mistakes accountants make with their own home loans
- Assuming it’s only for doctors. Accountants are squarely on the eligible list at most major lenders, and and the lender panel is broader than for the teacher waiver.
- Letting membership lapse. The waiver hinges on current, active membership. A lapsed renewal at the wrong moment can cost you the benefit.
- Going straight to one bank. Your own bank only has to beat your inertia, not the market. Accountant policies vary widely between lenders, so the first “yes” is rarely the best one.
- Waiting to save 20%. If the waiver lets you buy safely at 90% LVR now, an extra two years of saving may cost you more in price growth than the LMI ever would have.
- Not revisiting an old loan. If you bought before you qualified, or never claimed the professional discount, a review may unlock a sharper rate now. See the questions to ask a mortgage broker before you choose one.
You balance everyone’s books. Now balance yours.
Book a no-obligation chat and we’ll confirm your eligibility, compare accountant policies across 40+ lenders, and show you the saving in plain English.
Check if you qualifySources and useful references
Accountant home loan glossary
- Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)
- A one-off insurance premium lenders charge when you borrow more than 80% of a property’s value. It protects the lender, not you, and is the cost the accountant waiver removes.
- LMI waiver
- A lender policy that removes the LMI premium for eligible borrowers, such as accountants, allowing a smaller deposit without the insurance cost.
- Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR)
- The loan amount as a percentage of the property’s value. A 10% deposit means a 90% LVR. The accountant waiver typically applies up to 90% LVR, sometimes 95%.
- CA ANZ
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, one of the professional bodies whose current membership typically qualifies you for the accountant LMI waiver.
- CPA Australia
- Certified Practising Accountants Australia, the other main professional body recognised for the accountant LMI waiver.
- Professional package
- A lender package offering ongoing interest-rate discounts and fee waivers to eligible professionals, available to accountants even with a 20% deposit.
- Global Accounting Alliance (GAA)
- An alliance of leading accounting bodies whose memberships Australian lenders often recognise, helping overseas-qualified accountants access the waiver.
- Borrowing power
- The maximum a lender will lend you based on income, expenses, debts and their assessment rate. It varies between lenders, which is why comparing the market matters.
More terms, defined properly, in our plain-English mortgage glossary.
Home loans for accountants FAQ
Do accountants get special home loan deals in Australia?
Yes. Eligible accountants, typically current CA ANZ or CPA Australia members, can access an LMI waiver (buying with a 10% deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance up to 90% LVR), along with professional-package interest-rate discounts and fee waivers at many lenders.
Do accountants get discounted interest rates?
Often, yes. Beyond the LMI waiver, many lenders offer eligible accountants professional-package pricing, an ongoing discount off the advertised rate, with annual or application fees sometimes waived as well. The size of the discount varies by lender, by loan size and by your overall profile, and it usually has to be asked for rather than volunteered, which is where a broker comparing the market side by side earns their keep.
How much can an accountant save with an LMI waiver?
The saving equals the LMI premium avoided, which scales with loan size and deposit. At 90% LVR it commonly ranges from about $10,000 to $40,000, and can exceed $60,000 on purchases around $2 million. On a $1,000,000 purchase with a 10% deposit, the avoided premium is often in the high $20,000s to low $30,000s.
Which accountants qualify for the LMI waiver?
Generally, current and active members of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) or CPA Australia who are practising. Some lenders also accept CFA or FIAA members. Retirees and students typically don’t qualify, and a degree alone is usually not enough without membership.
Do I need a high income to get an accountant home loan?
Not always. Historically lenders required a high minimum income, but in 2026 some lenders waive LMI for eligible CA/CPA members with no minimum income, subject to conditions such as a strong credit history. The requirement depends entirely on the lender, which is why comparing policies matters.
Can accountants get an LMI waiver for an investment property?
Often, yes. Unlike first-home government schemes, the professional LMI waiver is generally available for any purchase purpose, including investment, not just owner-occupied first homes. Policy varies by lender, so confirm before applying.
What deposit does an accountant need to avoid LMI?
Typically 10% (a 90% LVR loan). Some lenders extend the waiver to 95% LVR for accountants with strong income and credit profiles, meaning as little as a 5% deposit in select cases.
Do overseas-qualified accountants qualify?
Frequently. Australian lenders often recognise reciprocal memberships from bodies in the Global Accounting Alliance, such as the ICAEW (UK), AICPA (USA) or SAICA (South Africa), especially once you’ve converted to a local CA or CPA membership. A broker can confirm which lenders accept your specific credential.
Can I still benefit if I already have a 20% deposit?
Yes. With 20% saved you may not need the LMI waiver, but you can still access professional-package interest-rate discounts and fee waivers that lenders offer eligible accountants, so the advantage isn’t only about LMI.
Should I review my home loan at the end of the financial year?
Yes. EOFY is the natural moment: your interest summaries and statements are already gathered for tax, so a loan review costs almost no extra effort. Any rate improvement you lock in starts working from July 1, the first day of the new financial year.
Is the accountant waiver better than the First Home Guarantee?
They serve the same goal differently. The guarantee needs only a 5% deposit but is limited to eligible first-home buyers and price caps; the accountant waiver needs 10% but works for any purchase purpose. For a first-home-buying accountant, a broker compares both and recommends the better total outcome.
Does it cost anything to check my eligibility with a broker?
No. Brokers like Everstone Finance are paid by the lender when a loan settles, so checking your eligibility and comparing accountant policies across lenders is free, with no obligation to proceed.
Where does this accountant home loan information come from?
The figures reflect common 2026 market criteria for professional LMI waivers (eligible bodies, 90% LVR, 10% deposit, no-minimum-income at some lenders, and $10k, $60k+ savings). Lender policies change frequently and vary by lender; confirm current eligibility before applying.
Do I need to be in Melbourne or South Yarra to work with Everstone Finance?
No. Everstone Finance is based in South Yarra and meets locally in person, but works with accountants across Melbourne and Australia-wide by phone and Zoom.
The bottom line: the people who keep everyone else’s finances in order are the ones most likely to leave their own advantage on the table. If you’re a practising CA or CPA, the LMI waiver and professional discounts are real, sizeable, and yours to claim at any time. You balance everyone’s books. Let us help you balance yours.
Claim the accountant advantage you’ve already earned
No cost, no obligation. We’ll confirm eligibility, compare 40+ lenders’ accountant policies, and show you the saving clearly and in writing.
Check if you qualifyThis guide is part of our home loans for professionals series covering every occupation that can buy with no LMI.