Investment property loans

Buying an investment property? Set it up right from day one

How your loan is set up affects your cash flow, your tax and how easily you can buy again. We compare 40+ lenders, help you use the equity in your home, and keep each loan clean and separate.

Your first investment or your fifth. No cost to you in most cases.

Getting the structure right

Six things that make a good investment loan

The rate matters, but the structure is what's hard to fix later. Here's what we look at before you apply.

Use your home's equity

Most lenders will lend up to 80% of your home's value, less what you owe, without mortgage insurance. That can cover your deposit and costs.

Keep each loan separate

Where we can, we set up the investment loan on its own rather than tying both properties together. It keeps you flexible when you sell, refinance or buy again.

Choose how you repay

Interest-only lowers repayments for a while. Principal and interest builds equity. We'll show you both side by side.

Keep each loan's purpose clear

Mixing personal spending into an investment loan, such as through redraw, can make it harder to work out what interest is tax-deductible.

Count the rent properly

Lenders only count part of the expected rent, and each one does it differently. The right lender can change what you can borrow.

Plan for the next one

Every loan affects your next application. If you plan to keep buying, the order you do things in matters.

Rules for 2026 and beyond

What's changed for investors

We're mortgage brokers, not tax advisers. This is a plain-English summary of the official information. Your accountant should confirm how it applies to you, and we're happy to work with them.

Negative gearing

Federal Budget 2026–27

Negative gearing is when the costs of owning a rental, including interest, are more than the rent it earns. The rules now depend on when you bought and what you buy.

  • Properties held before 7:30pm AEST on 12 May 2026 keep the existing rules
  • New builds can still be negatively geared
  • Established homes bought after that time: from 1 July 2027, losses can only be offset against residential property income and gains, not your wages
  • Unused losses can be carried forward to later years
Source: Treasury

Capital gains tax

From 1 July 2027

Capital gains tax applies when you sell an investment property for more than it cost you.

  • The 50% CGT discount is replaced by an inflation-based discount
  • A minimum tax rate of 30% applies to capital gains
  • Only gains that build up from 1 July 2027 are affected
  • Investors in new builds can choose to keep the 50% discount instead
Source: Treasury

Lending limits

APRA

Banks are limited in how much they can lend to borrowers with high debt compared with their income.

  • Since 1 February 2026, no more than 20% of a bank's new investor lending can go to loans where debt is six or more times income
  • Loans to buy or build a new home are exempt from this limit
  • Repayments are still tested at 3% above the loan rate
  • Each lender manages these limits differently, so choosing the right one matters more
Source: APRA

SA land tax

RevenueSA

Land tax is charged each year on land you own, apart from exemptions such as the home you live in.

  • Based on what you own at midnight on 30 June
  • Worked out on the combined site value of all your taxable land, not each property separately
  • No land tax if that total is $936,000 or less in 2026–27
  • Lower thresholds apply to land held in a trust
Source: RevenueSA

What counts as a new build has its own detailed rules, so check with your accountant before you sign a contract.

Your repayments

Interest-only or principal and interest?

Both have a place. The right choice depends on your cash flow, your other debts and how long you plan to hold the property.

Interest-onlyPrincipal and interest
RepaymentsLower during the interest-only periodHigher, but you pay down the loan from the start
Loan balanceStays the same during the periodGoes down over time
Interest rateOften higherOften lower
When the period endsRepayments go up to cover the loan and interestNo change

Don't rely on the rent alone to cover your repayments. Make sure you could cover the costs for a while if the property had no tenant. Source: Moneysmart

Budgeting

Costs to plan for

The deposit is only part of it. We'll include these in your numbers so there are no surprises.

  • Stamp duty. Usually the biggest upfront cost. Try our stamp duty calculator.
  • Legal and inspections. Conveyancing, searches, and pest and building reports.
  • Lenders mortgage insurance, if you borrow more than 80% of the value.
  • Rates and insurance. Council and water rates, building insurance and landlord insurance.
  • Running costs. Strata fees, property management, repairs and maintenance.
  • Land tax, depending on the total value of the land you own.

Source: Moneysmart

How we help

From first chat to settlement

We do the comparing and the paperwork, and keep your accountant in the loop where it helps.

  1. A free chatAbout your goals, your budget and whether now is the right time to buy.
  2. Work out your borrowing powerIncluding your equity, the expected rent and how lenders will treat your existing loans.
  3. Set up the structureSeparate loans, the right repayment type and offset options, planned with your accountant.
  4. Pre-approvalWe compare 40+ lenders and get you pre-approved, so you can make offers with confidence.
  5. Settlement and beyondWe review your loans as rates change and help plan the next property when you're ready.
Questions

Investment loan FAQs

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

Often, yes. Most lenders will let you borrow up to 80% of your home's value, less what you still owe, without lenders mortgage insurance. For example, if your home is worth $700,000 and you owe $400,000, 80% of the value is $560,000, which leaves up to $160,000 of usable equity. You still need to show you can afford the repayments on both loans.

How much deposit do I need for an investment property?

To avoid lenders mortgage insurance you'll usually need 20% of the price, plus money for stamp duty and other costs. You can borrow more than 80% with mortgage insurance, though some lenders set tighter limits for investors. Government schemes like the First Home Guarantee are only for homes you'll live in, so they don't apply to investment purchases.

Can I still negatively gear an investment property?

It depends on when you bought and what you buy. Investment properties held before 7:30pm AEST on 12 May 2026 keep the existing rules, and new builds can still be negatively geared. For established homes bought after that time, from 1 July 2027 rental losses can only be offset against income and gains from residential property, not your wages. Unused losses can be carried forward. Your accountant can tell you how this applies to you.

Should I choose interest-only or principal and interest?

It depends on your plans. Interest-only keeps repayments lower for a set period, but the rate is often higher and your repayments rise when that period ends. Principal and interest costs more each month but reduces what you owe. We'll show you the numbers for both, and your accountant can advise on the tax side.

Does the rent help me borrow more?

Yes. Lenders count the expected rent as income, usually based on a rental appraisal from a property manager or the current lease. Most only count part of it, to allow for vacancies and running costs, and how much varies between lenders. That's one reason the lender you choose can change how much you can borrow.

Can my SMSF borrow to buy an investment property?

Not for residential property, in most cases. Since 10 August 2026, self-managed super funds generally can't take out new loans to buy residential property. Existing loans can continue, and some commercial property is treated differently. Speak to your financial adviser or accountant before using your super to invest.

How much does it cost to use Monza Finance Group?

In most cases there's no cost to you. We're paid a commission by the lender when your loan settles. If a fee ever applies, we'll tell you in writing before we go ahead.

Planning your next property?

Book a free chat. We'll work out what you can borrow, how to set up the loan, and which lenders suit your plans.

General information only. Not financial advice. It doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Speak to a licensed broker about your situation.

Tax information is a general summary of official sources as at October 2026. We are not tax advisers. Speak to your accountant or a registered tax agent about your situation.

Lending criteria, fees and charges apply, and all loans are subject to lender approval.

Monza Finance Pty Ltd, ABN 21 617 504 186. Michael Barton is an Authorised Credit Representative (CRN 497244) of LMG Pty Ltd, Australian Credit Licence 390222.

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