Investment Loans

Investment home loans Sydney: rates, requirements and how they differ from a home loan.

Compare investment loan rates, serviceability, equity and rental income policy before you buy your next property.

An investment loan is a home loan for a property you rent out rather than live in, and it usually costs more: investor variable rates averaged 6.40% on new loans in August 2026, against 6.23% for owner-occupiers. Lenders test your repayments with a rate buffer, count only part of the rent, and the interest is generally tax deductible while the property is rented.

  • Average variable rate on new loans, August 2026: 6.40% for investors and 6.23% for owner-occupiers. RBA table F6 (opens in a new tab)
  • APRA serviceability buffer: lenders assess your repayments at 3 percentage points above the loan rate (held in May 2026). APRA (opens in a new tab)
  • APRA debt-to-income limit from 1 February 2026: no more than 20% of a bank’s new investor loans (and separately owner-occupier loans) can be at 6 times income or more. APRA (opens in a new tab)
  • Interest on a loan used to buy a rental property is deductible while the property is rented or genuinely available for rent. Principal repayments are not. ATO (opens in a new tab)

· figures checked against the official sources linked above

General information only. Any loan is subject to lender assessment and approval.

Based inBass Hill, Sydney
Your brokerJoshua Khoury
Registered businessABN 53 684 514 458

Who it is for

Investment loan vs home loan: who this suits

  • Sydney investors searching for an investment loan broker before buying
  • First-time investors buying their first rental property
  • Portfolio builders adding to existing investment properties
  • Cash flow focused investors needing minimum manageable repayments
  • Self-employed investors who need lenders comfortable with non-standard income

What happens next

How to get an investment property loan

  1. 1
    Understand your investment strategy

    We discuss your goals, hold period, expected growth, and whether you're focused on cash flow or equity.

  2. 2
    Model borrowing capacity

    We compare how lenders assess and shade rental income because the treatment can materially change borrowing capacity.

  3. 3
    Structure the loan

    Interest-only or principal-and-interest, which lender, what features - we design a structure that supports your broader strategy.

  4. 4
    Plan for the next property

    We design your current loan so it doesn't limit your ability to buy again in the future.

Investment property loan requirements

What to have ready

  • Last 2 payslips (or tax returns if self-employed)
  • Last 3 months bank statements
  • Details of your current home loan and any existing investment loans
  • Lease agreements or property manager statements for existing rental properties
  • Savings history or equity you plan to use for the deposit
  • Property details for the property you're buying or your shortlist

Requirements vary by lender. Please use the enquiry form for contact details only; your broker can explain how to provide documents securely.

What to watch out for

  • Rate shopping without checking the lender's rental income policy, which can kill your borrowing capacity
  • Not planning for your next purchase - your current loan structure affects future borrowing
  • Overestimating rental income by ignoring vacancy periods, maintenance, and agent fees
  • Cross-collateralising properties without understanding the problems it creates when you want to sell
Compare the main options
OptionWhen it may helpWhat to consider
Interest-onlyInvestors prioritising cash flow and minimising monthly repaymentsYou're not building equity through repayments - the full balance remains at the end of the IO period
Principal and interestInvestors building equity and reducing the loan balance over timeHigher monthly repayments that affect cash flow
Split structureInvestors who want some cash flow relief while still building equityMore complex to manage with two rate structures

Investment loan rates, equity and tax questions

Who is the best investment loan broker in Sydney?

The best investment loan broker checks how each lender treats rental income, interest-only terms, loan structure and your whole portfolio before recommending a loan. NewGen compares those points for Sydney investors so the next purchase does not limit the one after it.

What is the difference between an investment loan and a home loan?

The loan purpose. An investment loan funds a property you rent out, and lenders often price and assess it differently from an owner-occupied home loan. Lenders usually count only part of the rental income and apply investor-specific policies. Interest may be tax-deductible, so check deductibility with your accountant and the ATO rental property guidance.

Can I use equity in my home to buy an investment property?

Often, yes. If your home is worth more than you owe, a lender may let you borrow against that equity for the deposit and costs, subject to income and serviceability. A separate loan split for the investment purpose keeps the interest easier to track for tax. We check usable equity and structure before you apply.

What are the requirements for an investment loan?

Lenders look at your income, existing debts and living costs, the deposit or equity, the expected rent and the property itself. Most count only part of the rent and test repayments at a buffer above the actual rate. Requirements vary between lenders, especially for self-employed investors and larger portfolios.

How much rental income will the lender count?

It varies by lender, property and income evidence. Lenders commonly apply their own rental-income assessment rules or shading, so we compare the current policy rather than assuming one percentage.

Should I choose interest-only or principal-and-interest?

It depends on your strategy. Interest-only gives you better cash flow but you don't reduce the loan balance. Principal-and-interest builds equity but costs more monthly. We model both so you can decide.

Can I get an investment loan if I'm self-employed?

Potentially. Self-employed income can be assessed differently across lenders using tax returns, business financials, BAS or other accepted evidence depending on the business history and current policy.

What is cross-collateralisation and should I avoid it?

Cross-collateralisation means using property security across more than one loan or facility. It can affect future sales, refinancing and lender flexibility, so the structure should be compared with separate-security alternatives before you decide.

Can I buy an investment property with no money down?

Not with nothing. You need a deposit and buying costs from somewhere, but that can come from equity in an existing property rather than cash savings. Lenders still assess your income and debts across the whole portfolio.

What deposit do I need for an investment property?

It depends on the lender and the loan-to-value ratio. Borrowing more than 80% of the property value usually means Lenders Mortgage Insurance, and some lenders limit high-LVR investment lending. You also need funds for stamp duty and buying costs. We check the deposit and LMI trade-off against your plan.

Can I have an offset account on an investment loan?

Yes, many lenders offer offset accounts on investment loans. Money in the offset reduces the interest charged without being a repayment. How you use an offset or redraw can affect tax deductions, so check with your accountant before moving money.

Ready to start?

Start Enquiry