Map your money.
Plan your future.
See how your income, expenses, and savings goals shape what you can borrow.
What you can comfortably afford.
FAQ
Common questions about the budget calculator
How is my affordable loan repayment calculated?
We use a conservative 30% rule: your max comfortable repayment is 30% of your disposable income (net income minus all living expenses). That figure goes into the standard PMT formula at 6.49% p.a. over 7 years to back-calculate the maximum loan principal you could sustain. Your actual borrowing limit depends on the lender's assessment criteria, including credit history and existing commitments. See our borrowing power calculator for a lender-grade view.
Should I use net or gross income?
Enter your net (after-tax) monthly income. That's what actually lands in your bank account, and it's what your expenses and loan repayments come out of. If you're only sure of your gross salary, divide the annual figure by 12 and apply the ATO's tax tables to estimate deductions. Net is the right number for budgeting; gross overstates what you can afford.
What expenses should I include?
Include every regular monthly outgoing: rent or mortgage, groceries, utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet), transport (fuel, rego, public transport), all insurance, streaming and subscriptions, and a catch-all for dining out, clothing, and personal care. Overestimate rather than underestimate. When you apply, the lender pulls your bank statements and checks the actual spend. Best to know now where you really sit.
What if my expenses exceed my income?
No borrowing capacity is shown, which is the right outcome. Lenders reject applications where the numbers don't service. Focus on trimming discretionary expenses or increasing income before applying for any loan. Once your budget is in shape, ClariFi can help with the right loan structure. Read our budgeting guide.
Where does the Needs vs Wants split come from?
We use a 50/30/20 heuristic: housing, transport, food, utilities, insurance, and debt payments count as needs; entertainment and other discretionary spending count as wants. It's indicative. Your real classification depends on your situation.