Home loans for police, paramedics and essential workers
Some lenders waive mortgage insurance for emergency services. How they count allowances and overtime matters as much.
Who is usually on the list
Lender programs for essential workers commonly cover police officers, firefighters, paramedics and, with some lenders, defence force members and corrections officers. Each lender defines the list its own way and may set a minimum income.
Allowances, overtime and shift pay
Rostered overtime and allowances can make up a large share of your pay. Lenders range from counting all of it to counting half. We put your application with a lender that recognises regular overtime as income, backed by payslips and your income statement.
Defence members
If you serve, the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme may give you a subsidy on your loan through a small panel of lenders. We can compare a subsidised loan against the wider market so you can see which comes out ahead.
Lender policies change through the year and each lender keeps its own list of professions, income floors and locations. Use this page to decide whether it is worth asking, then let us check the current rules for you. All lending is subject to the lender’s credit criteria.
Questions people ask
Do volunteers qualify?
No. Programs apply to paid employment in the role.
Can I use a waiver for an investment property?
Some lenders allow it and many restrict waivers to a home you live in.
General information, last updated November 2026. Scheme figures, lender policies and duty rates change, so confirm them before you rely on them.
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