Second Home Loans for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals
Ready to buy your next property? We’ll help you navigate every step with clarity and confidence.
Whether you’re upgrading to accommodate a growing family, relocating closer to your hospital, or keeping your current home as an investment property, buying your second home brings unique challenges. The process can actually be more complex than your first purchase — but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let us simplify it for you.
Talk to Glenn TodayYour second home journey made simple
We understand the unique financial circumstances nurses face — from shift work and overtime to salary packaging. Buying your second property is more complex than your first, but we’ll guide you through every decision.
- Access to 40+ leading lenders with nurse-friendly policies
- Comprehensive preliminary assessment of all your options
- Expert guidance on keeping vs selling your current property
- Flexible appointments around your roster
Why Choose Swish Mortgages for Your Second Home Loan?
We Speak Your Language
As healthcare professionals, you’re used to complex schedules and demanding workloads. Glenn understands the unique financial circumstances nurses face — from shift work and overtime to salary packaging and irregular income patterns. We’ll work around your roster, not the other way around.
Access to 40+ Leading Lenders
We’ll review hundreds of potential home loan options from our extensive panel of top Australian lenders to find you a competitive deal and maximise your approval chances. Different lenders have different policies for second home purchases — we know exactly which ones are most likely to approve your specific situation.
We’ll Crunch All the Numbers for You
The figures can get complicated when buying a second property. We’ll provide a comprehensive preliminary assessment showing you:
- Deposit required and potential equity available
- Your maximum borrowing capacity
- Estimated sale proceeds (if you’re selling your current home)
- Rental income projections (if you’re keeping it as an investment)
- All costs, fees, and charges explained clearly
Guidance Through the Entire Process
Not sure how to align settlement timeframes? Wondering whether you can keep your current property as an investment? Need information on bridging finance? We have extensive experience with second home purchases and we’re here to answer every question you have along the way.
What Our Healthcare Clients Say About Us
5.0 Star Rating · 30+ Happy Client Reviews
“This is the second time we have engaged with Glenn as our mortgage broker when buying a house. He has provided timely correspondence and been proactive with ensuring all tasks required for finance are completed. We cannot fault his service and ongoing support. Highly recommend Glenn at Swish Mortgages.” — Megan P., Registered Nurse
“Glenn was initially recommended to us through a family member and we are now repeat customers. Glenn is an excellent mortgage broker, his communication is great and his industry knowledge helps with creating a seamless experience. He takes the time to understand the nuances surrounding our individual situation, ensuring the best possible outcomes.” — Larisa B., Healthcare Professional
“We are very lucky to have Glenn look after our mortgage needs… It’s not our first rodeo with Glenn and we have no hesitation in recommending his services.” — Jennifer S.
Understanding Second Home Loans in Australia
What Is a Second Home Loan?
A second home loan is simply the mortgage you take out when purchasing your next property — whether that’s upgrading from your current home or adding an investment property to your portfolio. It can be structured in several ways depending on your circumstances:
- Selling your current home first — using the sale proceeds as your deposit
- Keeping your current property — borrowing against existing equity or using savings
- Bridging finance — purchasing before selling your current property
The right approach depends on your financial position, property goals, and timeline. We’ll help you work out which option suits you best.
Can I Keep My Current Property as an Investment?
This is one of the most common questions we hear from nurses and healthcare professionals looking to buy their next home. Perhaps you’re relocating to a different hospital or health service, or maybe you’ve simply outgrown your current space.
The answer isn’t straightforward — it depends on multiple factors we’ll carefully assess together:
- The amount of equity in your current home
- Potential rental return and negative gearing benefits
- Your budget for the new property
- Whether you can comfortably afford both loans
- Your maximum buying power if you retain the property
If selling is necessary, we’ll also calculate:
- Approximate selling costs and agent fees
- Estimated sale proceeds to put towards your new purchase
- Maximum borrowing capacity with the sale factored in
We’ll conduct a detailed preliminary assessment that factors in all costs — selling expenses, stamp duty, legal fees, interest, and more. Then we’ll present your options clearly so you can make an informed decision.
How Much Deposit Do I Need?
The good news is that your deposit for a second home can come from several sources:
- Sale of your existing property (most common approach)
- Existing equity in your current home (borrowing against it)
- Savings in your account
- A combination of the above
Deposit tiers to consider:
- 8% of purchase price plus costs — generally the minimum, but includes Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)
- 12% of purchase price plus costs — substantially reduces LMI premiums and attracts better interest rates
- 20% of purchase price plus costs — eliminates LMI entirely and secures the most competitive rates
We’ll calculate your exact funds position and advise whether you have available equity to access. Many nurses we work with are surprised to discover how much equity they’ve built up over the years.
What About Bridging Finance?
A bridging loan allows you to purchase your new property before selling your existing one — giving you time to find the right buyer without rushing or compromising on your new home.
How it works: The lender provides the full amount to purchase your new property and gives you 6–12 months after settlement to sell your current home. Once sold, you reduce the total lending down to the agreed amount.
Important considerations:
- Bridging loan interest rates are typically higher than standard rates
- You need substantial equity in your current property
- You must meet income requirements to service both loans during the bridging period
- Not all lenders offer bridging products
- Some lenders only permit bridging with existing customers
What You’ll Need to Apply
Identification
A passport, driver’s licence, and Medicare card typically meet all lender requirements. If you don’t hold one of these, we can arrange substitute documents.
Proof of Equity in Your Current Home
If you’re keeping your property, we’ll organise a valuation (usually at no charge) to calculate available equity. This helps determine how much you can potentially borrow against it.
Income Validation
You’ll need evidence of income to service your proposed loan amount. For nurses and healthcare professionals, this includes:
- Recent payslips showing base salary and penalty rates
- Employment contract or letter
- Tax returns if you have additional income
- Rental appraisal (if converting your current home to an investment)
Details of Your Financial Position
Information and statements for existing liabilities like car loans, personal loans, or credit cards. We’ll guide you through what’s needed during the application process.
Your Property Preferences
Having a rough idea helps us structure your loan correctly:
- Property type you’re looking for (unit, townhouse, house)
- Approximate price range
- Preferred locations
Our Second Home Loan Process
1. Obligation-Free Consultation — Initial call about your goals, property situation, budget, and timeline.
2. Secure Document Upload — Use our client portal at a time that suits your roster.
3. Comprehensive Preliminary Assessment — We model keep vs sell, second-home scenarios, and costs.
4. Application Lodgement — Choose your lender; we prepare and lodge.
5. Approval and Documentation — We coordinate loan docs and lender requirements.
6. Settlement Coordination — Work with your solicitor to settle smoothly.
Exclusive advantages for healthcare professionals
- Expert guidance on equity release and borrowing capacity
- Clear advice on keeping your property as an investment
- Bridging finance options if you’re buying before selling
- Free CoreLogic property reports for properties you’re considering
- Shift work income properly recognised and valued
Finance For Nurses
Start here for an overview of lending options tailored for nurses, midwives and healthcare professionals.
Other Loans
Explore loan options designed for nurses, midwives and healthcare professionals. We understand overtime, shift penalties and salary packaging — and we know which lenders value them.
First Home Buyer Loans
Access nurse-only low-deposit pathways, potential LMI waivers, and guidance through grants and schemes.
See First Home Options →Second Mortgage Loans
Tap a secondary facility for short-term cash flow, bridging, or project funds—structured to minimise risk.
Explore Second Mortgages →Investment Property Loans
Build your portfolio with policies that respect essential service income and smart structures for cash flow.
Investor Loan Options →Refinance Loan
Lower your rate, simplify debts and keep the features that suit your roster—without the paperwork grind.
Refinance & Save →Equity Loans
Use built-up equity for renovations, investing or a safety buffer—set up with clear purpose-based splits.
Use Your Equity →Trust Loans
Entity-friendly lending with documentation and structure for asset protection and future flexibility.
Trust & Company Lending →SMSF Loans
Specialist LRBA guidance with accountant coordination and lender policy alignment for smooth execution.
SMSF Lending →Self-Employed Loans
Options for contractors, ABN holders and practice owners—alternate docs and policy wins where it counts.
Self-Employed Options →Construction Loans
Progress-payment facilities and contingencies tailored to your build timeline and variable shifts.
Build with Confidence →We compare 40+ lenders for second home buyers
Including ANZ, Westpac, NAB, CBA, ING, Macquarie, and more — ensuring you get the right fit for your second home loan with policies that understand your situation.
Why second-home buyers choose Swish
Buying your second property involves complex decisions about equity, deposits, and whether to keep or sell your current home. We specialise in making these choices clear for healthcare professionals.
We’ll conduct a comprehensive preliminary assessment showing your exact borrowing capacity, whether you can keep your property as an investment, and all costs involved. From bridging finance to settlement coordination, our nurse-focused approach means you get a strategy built for your roster and goals.
Glenn has six years of lending experience at NAB and understands the nuances of second home purchases — from equity calculations to tax-effective structuring.
Our Mission — help every nurse upgrade with confidence
We exist to make second-home ownership achievable for nurses through clear guidance, smart structuring, and comprehensive support — so you don’t overpay or make costly mistakes.
More ways we help nurses beyond second homes
Refinancing Loans
Already own a home but paying too much? As a nurse, you may be eligible for exclusive interest rate discounts and better loan features that weren’t available when you first bought. We’ll review your current situation and find opportunities to save money, access equity, or switch to more flexible loan terms that suit your current lifestyle.
Investment Property Loans
Building wealth through property is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. We help nurses structure investment loans that maximise tax benefits whilst taking advantage of your professional status for better rates and LMI waivers. Whether it’s your first investment or you’re expanding your portfolio, we’ll create a strategy that works.
SMSF Loans (Self-Managed Super Fund)
Looking to use your superannuation to invest in property? SMSF loans require specialist knowledge, and we have the expertise to guide you through the compliance requirements whilst securing competitive rates. It’s a powerful wealth-building strategy for nurses planning long-term financial security.
Trust & Company Loans
Investing through a trust or company structure? We understand the complexities of entity lending and work with lenders who support these structures. Perfect for nurses looking to protect assets, plan for family wealth transfer, or maximise tax efficiency.
Construction Loans
Building your dream home from the ground up? Construction loans release funds progressively as your build reaches key milestones. We’ll arrange finance with interest-only payments during construction, plus access to LMI waivers available to nurses, making your custom home more affordable.
Equity Release & Home Equity Loans
Already own property? Unlock the equity in your home to fund renovations, consolidate debt, invest in another property, or cover major expenses. We’ll help you access these funds whilst maintaining competitive interest rates and flexible repayment options.
Car Loans & Asset Finance
Need a reliable vehicle for commuting to shifts? We arrange competitive car loans and asset finance that work around your budget. Whether it’s a new car, used vehicle, or upgrading your current ride, we’ll find options with rates and terms suited to healthcare professionals.
Debt Consolidation Loans
Managing multiple debts across credit cards, personal loans, and other commitments? We can help you consolidate everything into one manageable repayment with a lower interest rate, freeing up cash flow and reducing financial stress.
Commercial & Practice Loans
Planning to open your own nursing practice, invest in a medical facility, or purchase commercial property? We arrange commercial finance tailored to healthcare professionals, with lenders who understand your industry and earning potential.
Your second-home lending team
Second-home outcomes: Swish vs others
| Feature | Banks | Other Brokers | Swish Mortgages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Second-Home Expertise | ❌ | ⚪️ | ✅ |
| Equity & Keep vs Sell Analysis | ❌ | ⚪️ | ✅ |
| Bridging Finance Guidance | ⚪️ | ⚪️ | ✅ |
| Shift/OT/Packaging Counted Correctly | ❌ | ⚪️ | ✅ |
| Free Property Reports | ❌ | ⚪️ | ✅ |
| After-Hours Appointments | ⚪️ | ⚪️ | ✅ |
| Ongoing Rate Reviews | ❌ | ⚪️ | ✅ |
*Every situation is unique. We’ll provide a detailed assessment of your specific options.
Lenders we compare for second-home buyers
Major banks + specialists with nurse-friendly policies and flexible second-home options:
What Type of Home Loan Should You Get?
Owner-Occupied vs Investment
This is determined by how you’ll use the property. If you’re moving into your new home and keeping your current property, your current home becomes the investment loan (which may offer tax benefits on the interest).
Variable vs Fixed Interest Rates
Fixed rates offer certainty around repayments for 1–5 years, which many nurses appreciate for budgeting. The downside is less flexibility — you generally can’t have an offset account or make substantial extra repayments without penalties.
Variable rates offer maximum flexibility with offset accounts, unlimited extra repayments, and easier refinancing if needed. The trade-off is that your rate can change with Reserve Bank movements.
Many of our healthcare clients choose a split loan — part fixed for security, part variable for flexibility.
Principal and Interest vs Interest-Only
For investment properties, interest-only repayments can maximise tax deductions and cash flow. For your new owner-occupied home, principal and interest helps you build equity faster.
Additional Support for Healthcare Professionals
We also provide our clients with:
- Free CoreLogic property reports for properties you’re considering
- Obligation-free preliminary assessments showing your exact borrowing capacity
- Fully assessed pre-approvals so you can search with confidence
- Flexible appointment times including evenings and weekends to suit your roster
Your Complete Guide to Buying Your Second Property
Stage 1: Can I Keep My Current Property?
We’ll conduct a detailed assessment looking at equity, rental potential, negative gearing impact, affordability of total debt, and maximum buying power. If selling is necessary, we’ll calculate selling costs and estimated proceeds.
It’s important to factor in all expenses here — agent fees, legal costs, interest during any overlap, and acquisition costs for your new property. We have extensive experience with these scenarios and will clearly explain your options.
Stage 2: Working Out Your Deposit
Your deposit can be sourced from sale proceeds, borrowing against existing equity, or savings. We’ll calculate your exact position and advise on the most tax-effective structure, particularly if you’re keeping your current home as an investment.
Stage 3: Exploring Bridging Finance (If Needed)
If bridging suits your situation, we’ll structure it properly and explain the costs involved. Not all lenders offer bridging, and it may require refinancing your current loan. We’ll assess whether it’s the right solution or if waiting to sell first makes more sense financially.
Stage 4: Pre-Approval and Property Search
Once we’ve worked out your strategy, we’ll get you pre-approved. If you’re selling your property, we don’t need to wait until it’s sold — we can get approval “subject to sale”.
We recommend calling us when you’re making an offer so we can advise on deposit amounts, settlement timeframes, and important contract clauses.
Stage 5: Settlement
We’ll coordinate with your lender and conveyancing solicitor to ensure everything proceeds smoothly on settlement day. Then you officially take ownership — congratulations on your new home!
Second Home Loans – FAQs
This depends on multiple factors including the equity in your current home, potential rental return, your budget for the new property, and whether you can comfortably afford both loans. We’ll conduct a detailed assessment looking at all these factors and present your options clearly.
Your deposit can come from sale proceeds of your existing property, borrowing against existing equity, or savings. Generally you’ll need 8% plus costs as a minimum (with LMI), 12% for reduced LMI, or 20% to avoid LMI entirely. We’ll calculate your exact position.
Bridging finance allows you to purchase your new property before selling your existing one, giving you 6-12 months to sell without rushing. You need substantial equity, ability to service both loans temporarily, and not all lenders offer this. We’ll assess if it suits your situation or if waiting to sell first makes more financial sense.
If either your first or second property becomes an investment property, the loan interest may be tax deductible. Always discuss tax strategy with a qualified accountant before purchasing — we can recommend trusted professionals who specialise in property investment.
Pre-approval typically takes 3-5 business days once we’ve received all documents. Full approval after finding a property usually takes 1-2 weeks. We’ll work efficiently to meet your settlement timelines.
Some lenders will allow a secondary residence with owner-occupied rates for both properties, though policies vary. You typically can’t use proposed rental income in this scenario, which may affect borrowing capacity. We’ll identify which lenders offer this flexibility.
Absolutely. We regularly help nurses whose income includes shift loadings, overtime, and penalty rates. We know which lenders properly recognise and value this income when assessing your application.
This depends on your income, existing debts, equity position, and whether you’re keeping or selling your current property. We’ll calculate your exact borrowing capacity as part of your preliminary assessment.
Not necessarily. If you have equity in your current home, you may be able to use this instead of a large cash deposit. The minimum is typically 8% of the purchase price plus costs, but we’ll explore all options to optimise your position.
This is exactly why using a mortgage broker makes sense. We assess your application before lodging it and only submit to lenders whose policies you meet. This dramatically reduces the risk of decline and protects your credit file.
Fixed rates offer repayment certainty for 1-5 years but less flexibility. Variable rates offer features like offset accounts and unlimited extra repayments. Many nurses choose a split loan — part fixed for security, part variable for flexibility. We’ll discuss what suits your situation best.
Yes, if you have sufficient equity and can service the increased debt. We’ll arrange a valuation (usually at no charge) to calculate available equity and determine how much you can potentially borrow against it.
About Glenn Quisay
Glenn Quisay, Director and Founder of Swish Mortgages, is a Melbourne-based mortgage broker who specialises in helping nurses and healthcare professionals navigate the property market. With six years of experience at NAB, he built strong expertise in lending, equipment finance, and business loans, achieving $18.8 million in drawdowns and multiple Banker of the Month awards before starting his own firm.
At Swish Mortgages, Glenn focuses on making the home loan process simple, transparent, and stress-free. Backed by his finance qualifications, MFAA accreditation, and business degree from Victoria University, he offers clear, personalised advice — ensuring clients feel understood and supported, not like just another application.