Lender guide · NAB home loans · Sydney
NAB Home Loans via a Sydney Broker
Thinking about a NAB home loan? I arrange NAB loans for Sydney buyers, refinancers and investors, and I compare NAB with the other lenders I use before you decide. NAB is strong for some professionals, self-employed borrowers and first home buyers, and strict on small units, overseas income and heavily geared investors.
Who NAB tends to suit
NAB suits a lot of borrowers, but its policy has clear strengths and a few hard lines. These are the ones that come up most with my Sydney clients.
Doctors, dentists and some other professionals. NAB can waive Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) for eligible medical professionals and some accountants, lawyers and barristers, so you can buy with less than a 20% deposit and no LMI. You need current AHPRA registration, or for accountants and lawyers a current membership or practising certificate, and limits apply. LMI explained →
Self-employed with a strong latest year. If you're borrowing 80% or less of the property's value, NAB can accept one year's tax return. Above 80%, it wants two years. Self-employed home loans →
First home buyers. NAB is one of the participating lenders in the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, so eligible first home buyers can purchase with a 5% deposit and no LMI. First home buyer help →
Refinancers who've kept up their repayments. Since July 2023, NAB has offered, case by case, a different serviceability test to some owner-occupiers refinancing a principal-and-interest loan from another bank. The conditions include 80% or less of the value, 12 months of on-time repayments and a rate no higher than you pay now. Refinancing →
Where NAB is strict
Small apartments. NAB generally wants a unit to be at least 50 square metres including the balcony and car space, or 40 square metres without them. That can rule out studios and some small one-bedders. Apartment loan traps →
Overseas income and temporary visas. NAB counts only 60% of an overseas salary or contract income, and doesn't count overseas bonuses, overtime, rent or business income. On an eligible temporary visa, you can borrow up to 70% of the property's value, with no LMI option.
Investors with a lot of debt. NAB caps total debt at a lower multiple of income for investment loans than for owner-occupied ones, so investors with several properties can hit NAB's limit sooner than at some other lenders. Investment loans →
How using a broker works with NAB
I don't work for NAB. I compare it with the other lenders I use, then prepare and lodge your application, deal with NAB's credit team and the valuation, and stay with you to settlement.
If NAB looks right, I can also ask its pricing team to sharpen the rate. It doesn't always work, but asking costs you nothing. NAB's rates change often, so I don't list them here. Ask me for today's pricing.
What it costs you
Nothing directly. I'm paid by the lender: an upfront commission when your loan settles and a smaller trail commission while it's active, and I'll tell you how I'm paid on your loan. NAB's own loan fees, government fees and any LMI still apply, and you'll see those before you apply.
Work out your numbers first: Borrowing power calculator → · Repayment calculator →
NAB home loan questions
Is it cheaper to go to NAB direct or through a broker?
My service is free to you, so it comes down to NAB's rate and fees, which NAB sets either way. Through me, you also get a pricing request sent to NAB and a comparison with other lenders. Sometimes another lender comes out ahead, and I'll tell you when it does.
I already bank with NAB. Can you still help?
Yes. Banking with NAB doesn't stop you using a broker or lock you into a NAB loan. If you already have a NAB home loan, I can ask NAB to review your rate and compare it with what other lenders would offer.
How long does NAB take to approve a home loan?
Plan on a few days. On 11 November 2026, NAB's published guide was 1 business day to a first credit decision on a purchase or refinance once every document is in, but the tracker I use showed about 3 days for the first assessment that week. With every document and the valuation in upfront, the first assessment can be the formal approval.
This is general information only, not personal financial advice. Lender policy changes from time to time, so check with me before relying on any of it. Bridge Finance is a mortgage broker and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NAB. Lender names are trademarks of their owners.
Before you go with NAB, compare it first.
Book a free 30-minute chat. I'll look at your income, deposit and plans, check how NAB's policy treats them, and compare NAB with other lenders. No cost, no obligation.
Serving Sydney: Burwood · Strathfield · Parramatta · Chatswood · Epping · Macquarie Park · Meadowbank · North Ryde · Rhodes · Ryde
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