Buying a home in Mackay while working FIFO

Published 22 October 2026 · Reviewed by Luke Curtis, Director & head broker

Plenty of people who work in the Bowen Basin choose Mackay as home base. You get the coast, the schools and the airport, and you drive or fly out to site for your swing. Buying here on a FIFO or DIDO roster is very doable. It just takes a bit more planning than buying on a nine-to-five.

How lenders look at roster income

Lenders care about two things with mining income: is it ongoing, and how much of it can they rely on. Your base rate is the easy part. Overtime, shift penalties, site allowances and bonuses are where policies differ.

Probation. Many lenders want you past probation. Some may accept you during it if you've worked in the industry for a while and moved roles.
Overtime and allowances. Some lenders count all of it if you can show a history. Others count only part. A few count only base pay.
Labour hire and casual roles. These can work, though lenders usually look for a longer track record.

Because roster income swings with the calendar, the year-to-date figure on your payslip often matters more than any single pay. We cover that in detail in our guide to what lenders look for on your payslips. Our mining and FIFO home loans page has the overview.

What Mackay prices look like

Opteon reported a median house price of $725,000 for the Mackay local government area in the first half of 2026, from 858 sales. That's a useful anchor when you work out a budget, though individual suburbs and property types vary a lot.

First home buyer help still applies

Working away doesn't stop you using first home buyer programs. The ones most Mackay buyers look at are:

Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme. Since 1 October 2025 there are no income caps and no limit on places. Eligible first home buyers can buy with a 5% deposit and no lenders mortgage insurance, with the government guaranteeing up to 15% of the property value. The price cap for Mackay and the Isaac is $700,000, and you need to use a participating lender.
QLD First Home Owner Grant. $30,000 for eligible first home buyers buying or building a new home valued under $750,000, including land. It doesn't apply to established homes.
Transfer duty concessions. Eligible first home buyers pay no duty on a new home or vacant land to build on (contracts from 1 May 2025, no value cap). For established homes, there's no duty at $700,000 or less and a partial concession under $800,000. From 1 August 2026 these concessions are generally limited to Australian citizens, permanent residents and specified foreign retirees.

Check the fine print on living in the home. For the First Home Owner Grant, the Queensland Revenue Office requires you to move in as your principal place of residence within one year of the transaction completing and live there continuously for six months. If your roster has you away for long stretches, it's worth confirming with the Queensland Revenue Office how that sits with your situation before you sign. Our first home buyers page explains each program in more detail.

Mackay or a mining town?

Some people weigh up buying in Moranbah or Dysart, closer to site, against buying in Mackay. Lenders treat these markets differently. Some lenders apply tighter limits in smaller towns that rely on one industry, which can mean a bigger deposit. If you're looking at the Isaac, read our Moranbah home loans page first.

Fitting the purchase around your roster

The finance is only half of it. The practical side trips people up more often.

Get conditional pre-approval before you start looking. It tells you a realistic price range and shows agents you're organised. It's not a final yes, and it usually has an expiry date.
Plan inspections for your days off. Line up open homes and private viewings for your R and R. If you find a place mid-swing, a partner or family member can view it for you.
Book building and pest inspections early. These often need to happen inside a short window in the contract.
Sign electronically where you can. Most loan documents and contracts can be signed online. Check your phone reception and data on site before you rely on it.
Pick a settlement date that suits you. If you need to be in town for the keys or the move, set settlement for a day you're home.

An illustrative budget

This is illustrative only, with round numbers. Say you're a first home buyer looking at an established home in Mackay for $600,000. Under the 5% Deposit Scheme you'd need a $30,000 deposit, with no lenders mortgage insurance if you and the lender are eligible. At $600,000 you'd also fall under the $700,000 threshold for no transfer duty on an established first home. You'd still need money for legal fees, inspections and moving costs. Whether you can borrow the remaining $570,000 depends on your income, debts, living costs and the lender's policy.

For most home loans there's no broker fee; any fee is disclosed upfront in our Credit Guide.

Talk it through

We work with roster income every week. Call or text 0458 773 002, even from camp, or book the free assessment at our contact page. We can do most of the work by phone and email around your swing.

Common questions

Can I get a home loan while I'm on probation in a mining job?

Some lenders may consider it, especially if you've worked in the industry before. Many prefer you to be past probation. It depends on the lender and your circumstances.

Will lenders count my overtime and site allowances?

Some lenders count all of it with a steady history, some count part, and a few use base pay only. Your year-to-date earnings and previous year's income help show what's regular.

Can I use the 5% Deposit Scheme in Mackay?

Eligible first home buyers can, with a property price cap of $700,000 for Mackay and the Isaac. You need to use a participating lender.

Does working FIFO affect the First Home Owner Grant?

The grant requires you to live in the new home as your principal place of residence for six continuous months, starting within a year. Check with the Queensland Revenue Office how your roster fits those rules before you commit.

Sources

This guide is general information only and doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Talk to us about your circumstances before acting on it. Related: Mining & FIFO loans.

Buying a home in Mackay while working FIFO or DIDO

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