Getting a Home Loan on Disability: A Practical Guide for Australians

Getting a home loan on disability in 2026: the pension figures lenders see

Lenders will ask for proof of your income, and these are the pension figures that apply from 20 September 2026.

• Ask Services Australia for a statement of your payments, as lenders will ask for proof of your income.
• Use our DSP calculator to see how work income may affect your payment before you build a repayment budget.
• Check the current DSS rates list before you apply, because a new rate changes your budget.

Can you get a home loan on disability pension?

It can be possible, but it depends on the lender, your deposit, your other income and your living costs.

• Ask each lender, in writing if possible, whether it accepts the DSP as income and whether it counts all of it or only part.
• Add any paid work to your application; people on the DSP can work up to 29 hours a week without losing the payment if they meet the income test.
• Prepare a deposit, a clear record of savings and a list of regular expenses, as lenders look at these too.
• Watch your hours: DSP can be suspended for up to 2 years if you work 30 or more hours a week on an ongoing basis (Services Australia).

What changes the answer for disability home loans

Several things sit behind a lender’s decision, and you can prepare for most of them.

• Deposit size: a larger deposit generally means a smaller loan to repay, so show your savings history over several months.
• Other income: part-time wages, a partner’s income or Carer Payment may be counted differently by each lender, so list every source.
• Living costs and debts: credit cards, personal loans and buy now pay later accounts may reduce what a lender is willing to offer.

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

Disability mortgage loans, personal loans and other options compared

Borrowing on a pension can mean several different products, each with different costs and risks.

Loans for disability pensioners in Australia: step by step

Work through these steps in order, and give yourself time before you commit to anything.

1. 1Check your current payment rate. Use the latest Services Australia or DSS figure for your situation, and note when the next review date falls.
2. 2Collect your income and savings records. Gather pension statements, payslips if you work, and several months of bank statements showing regular saving.
3. 3Work out a repayment you can keep up. Build the budget from your fortnightly payment after essentials, and allow room for disability-related costs.
4. 4Ask lenders how they treat the DSP. Phone or email at least two lenders and keep their answers in writing, because policies differ.
5. 5Speak to an independent adviser. Ask a licensed adviser or a financial counsellor to look over your plan before you sign.
6. 6Apply only when the numbers work. Prepare first rather than applying to many lenders at once.

Can you get a loan on disability pension for something other than a home?

Yes, people on the DSP can apply for car, personal and equipment loans, but the same cautions apply and costs can be higher.

Check the full cost before you borrow

• Read the total repayment amount, fees and interest rate on the contract summary, not just the weekly or fortnightly figure.
• Contact a financial counsellor and your lender early if repayments become hard.

Government help alongside a loan

Some households also receive other payments, depending on eligibility. Count them in your budget only if they are paid to you regularly.

• If someone in your household is a carer, Carer Allowance has a current maximum rate of $162.60 per fortnight in the DSS guide (version released 10 October 2026) (DSS guide).
• If you are eligible for Mobility Allowance, as at 1 January 2026 it is $122.80 per fortnight at the standard rate and $171.70 per fortnight at the higher rate (DSS guide).
• Read about disability grants that may help with equipment or home changes, which can reduce how much you need to borrow.
• Ask an adviser whether a special disability trust suits your family when planning housing.

Checking your pension details before you apply

A few eligibility details help you explain your payment to a lender with confidence.

• The DSP is for people with a physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairment rated at 20 or more points on the Impairment Tables that is expected to last at least 2 years and leaves them unable to work 15 or more hours a week for the next 2 years (DSS).
• If you are nearing Age Pension age, read whether the disability pension stops at Age Pension age, because your payment type may change.
• If you expect a lump sum, see how a TPD payout can affect the disability pension before you plan a deposit.
• For a quick estimate of what you receive, read how much you receive on a disability pension.

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

Your next step

Once your numbers are clear, you can plan housing, support and daily costs together. TQN Care’s NDIS services help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home, so you can focus on your financial decisions. If you receive NDIS funding, we can talk through the support you need. Reach out when you are ready, and we will call you back.