Home & property loans
Home loans for the self-employed
Your tax return doesn’t always show what your business really earns. We work with lenders who look at the full picture.
Who we help
Sole traders, company directors, contractors, tradies and anyone whose income doesn’t fit the standard payslip box. That includes people who have recently started a business, changed their structure, or whose latest tax returns aren’t lodged yet.
How lenders assess self-employed income
Most banks want two years of tax returns and look at your taxable income, which is often lower than what your business really earns once depreciation, interest and one-off costs are taken out. Some lenders will add those items back. Others will use one year of financials, your BAS or your business bank statements instead. Knowing which lender does what is where a broker makes the difference.
Ways to verify your income
- Full-doc: tax returns and financials, with lenders who add back items like depreciation and non-recurring expenses.
- Alt-doc / low-doc: BAS statements, business bank statements or an accountant’s letter instead of full tax returns.
- Specialist lenders: for recent ABNs, past credit issues or complex company and trust structures.
What you’ll usually need
- An active ABN (many lenders want at least 12 months, some less)
- Recent BAS statements or business bank statements
- An accountant’s letter or declaration of income, for some low-doc options
- ID, details of your assets and any debts you already have
Every lender is different, so we’ll give you a short checklist for your situation rather than asking for everything up front.
Low-doc vs full-doc: what’s the difference?
A low-doc home loan lets you prove income with fewer documents. The trade-off is that these loans can have different rates, fees and deposit requirements to standard loans. We’ll explain the costs clearly, compare them against any full-doc options you qualify for, and show you a path back to a standard loan where possible.
How we help
We’ve run our own businesses, so we understand how your income really works. We’ll look at your figures, match you with lenders that suit your situation and manage the application through to settlement. Buying? Start here. Already have a loan? Check if you could refinance. Need funding for the business itself? See business loans and commercial property loans.
Ready to talk?
Answer a few quick questions and a broker will come back to you within one business day.
Related services
FAQ
Common questions
Can I get a home loan if I’ve been self-employed for less than two years?
Often, yes. Some lenders will consider applicants with 12 months of trading, and a few will look at less if you’ve been in the same industry for a while. Your options depend on your history, deposit and the type of income evidence you can provide.
What is a low-doc home loan?
A low-doc (or alt-doc) home loan lets self-employed borrowers verify income with documents like BAS statements, business bank statements or an accountant’s letter instead of full tax returns.
Do low-doc loans cost more?
They can. Low-doc loans may carry a higher rate or fees, and may need a larger deposit. We’ll show you the full cost and compare it with any standard options you qualify for.
Can I move from a low-doc loan to a standard loan later?
In many cases, yes. Once your tax returns are lodged and show your income, refinancing to a standard loan may reduce your costs. We can review this with you when the time comes.
Will a lender look at my business bank statements?
Some lenders can assess your income using business bank statements, usually covering the last 6 to 12 months. It’s one of several alternative ways to show what your business earns.
Been told no by your bank?
Tell us about your business and what you’re trying to do. We’ll come back to you within one business day.
