- Doctors
- Updated
- • 5 min read
Medical Professional LMI Waivers Explained
Medical professionals — including doctors, specialists and dentists — are among the professions most commonly associated with LMI waiver eligibility. But the details matter significantly, and not every medical professional qualifies automatically.
Quick Answer
Some medical professionals may access LMI waiver policies with certain lenders, subject to AHPRA registration, income, loan size, LVR and full lender assessment. Eligibility is not guaranteed and varies between lenders.
Who Counts As A Medical Professional For LMI Purposes?
Lenders define medical professionals differently. Common categories include general practitioners, specialists, surgeons, dentists, registrars and some allied health professionals. The definition is lender-specific and can change.
How Does The Waiver Work?
Where a lender offers a medical professional LMI waiver, it means they may allow the borrower to take a loan above 80% LVR without charging standard LMI. The lender accepts the additional risk as part of a professional lending policy, usually based on the income stability and earning trajectory associated with the profession.
What Lenders Look At For Medical Professionals
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Current AHPRA registration — must be active and in good standing
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Specialty and employment type — PAYG, locum, private practice or mixed
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Income level and stability — especially relevant for registrars and early-career doctors
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Loan amount — some lenders cap the loan size eligible for a waiver
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LVR — most policies cap at 85–90% LVR; some may allow higher
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Property type — residential owner-occupied generally has broader eligibility
Registrars And Early-Career Doctors
Some lenders extend LMI waiver policies to registrars and early-career doctors based on their expected income trajectory. Others require a minimum income threshold to be met. This varies significantly by lender and needs to be checked at time of application.
Common Mistakes
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Assuming all lenders offer the same medical professional LMI waiver — policies differ widely
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Not providing AHPRA registration documentation at the time of application
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Applying as a locum or contractor without checking whether the lender’s policy covers that income type
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Assuming the waiver applies to both owner-occupied and investment — investment can be excluded
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does a dentist qualify for an LMI waiver?
Dentists may qualify with some lenders depending on registration, income, LVR and loan size. Policy varies by lender.
Do locum doctors qualify?
Some lenders may consider locum income under a medical professional policy, but requirements around income history and consistency can be stricter.
Is there a maximum loan size for medical LMI waivers?
Some lenders apply maximum loan amount limits under their professional waiver policies. This varies by lender.
Medical Professionals Defined Differently By Each Lender
One of the most common points of confusion is that different lenders define “medical professional” differently. Some include only doctors. Others include doctors and dentists. Others extend to nurses, allied health professionals and some paramedical roles. There is no industry standard.
LMI Waiver By Income Level
Many medical professional LMI waiver policies include a minimum income requirement — commonly $100,000–$150,000 or above depending on the lender. This means a junior registrar or part-time practitioner may not meet the income threshold even with AHPRA registration.
What Lenders May Look At
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Specialty or registration type — some lenders specify eligible specialties
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Income level — minimum threshold may apply
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Loan amount — maximum caps vary by lender
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The Investment Property Question
Medical professional LMI waiver policies often apply primarily to owner-occupied purchases. Some lenders extend waivers to investment loans but with stricter criteria — lower LVR cap, lower maximum loan or higher income threshold. Always confirm with the lender or broker at time of application.
Common Mistakes Medical Professionals Make
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Assuming registration alone guarantees waiver eligibility
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Not checking the lender’s specific specialty requirements
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Forgetting that income threshold requirements exist
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Applying before confirming whether the waiver extends to the type of loan needed
Is there a minimum income for a medical LMI waiver?
Some lenders apply minimum income thresholds. Requirements vary and change.
Can dentists use the same policy as doctors?
Some lenders group doctors and dentists together. Others have separate policies or only cover doctors.
Review Medical LMI Waiver Eligibility
We assess registration, income, LVR and lender options for medical professionals.
General information only. Lending eligibility, LMI waiver policies, rates and approval outcomes vary by lender and are subject to assessment.
| Medical professional type | Typical waiver availability | Key consideration |
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| Hospital-employed doctor (PAYG) | Broader availability | AHPRA, income, LVR cap |
| Registrar | Some lenders — policy varies | Current income, AHPRA, income threshold |
| Locum doctor (ABN) | Stricter — fewer lenders | Income history, documentation |
| Dentist (PAYG) | Broadly available | AHPRA, income, loan size cap |
| Practice-owner dentist | Case by case | Income structure, practice debt |
| Nurse (AHPRA registered) | Limited and lender-specific | AHPRA, employment type, income |
Review Your LMI Waiver Eligibility
Book a review and we’ll assess your profession, income, LVR and lender options.
General information only. LMI waiver eligibility varies by lender and is subject to assessment.