Property investing is won or lost on structure and lender selection — not just the headline rate.
The rules have changed — and it matters
From February 2026, APRA limits banks to writing only 20% of new investor loans at a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of 6 or more. In plain terms: high-leverage investor lending is now rationed, and lenders are pickier about borrowers near that threshold. Combined with the standard 3% serviceability buffer, this is exactly the environment where the wrong lender at the wrong time can cost you a whole purchase. We track policy across the entire lender panel, so we know which lender will say yes to your scenario.
What we help investors do
Structure loans for cash flow, tax efficiency and asset protection
Access usable equity from existing properties to fund the next purchase
Navigate DTI and serviceability rules to keep the portfolio moving
Compare interest-only vs principal-and-interest strategies for your goals
Equity you may not know you have
Even in a higher-rate market, rising values and a few years of repayments can open up usable equity. Whether you can actually access it comes down to today's serviceability and DTI rules — a 15-minute review tells you exactly where you stand before you go shopping.
DTI, or debt-to-income ratio, measures your total debt against your income. From February 2026, APRA limits banks to writing only 20% of new investor loans at a DTI of 6 or more, which means high-leverage investor lending is now rationed and lenders are more selective near that threshold. Choosing the right lender and structuring your application well matters more than ever.
APRA requires lenders to assess your loan at your actual interest rate plus 3 percentage points. This stress test means the rate that sets your borrowing limit is around 3% higher than the rate you're quoted, which is why expert lender selection makes a real difference.
Often yes. Rising values and a few years of repayments can open up usable equity that funds your next deposit. Whether you can access it comes down to current serviceability and DTI rules — a short review tells you exactly where you stand before you go shopping.
General information only; not financial, credit or tax advice. Consider independent tax advice. Source: APRA. Loan Worth is a credit representative of Connective Credit Services Pty Ltd, Australian Credit Licence 389328.