Self-employed? You're not a "no".
Banks make it harder when you work for yourself — but the right lender, the right paperwork and a broker who knows the difference can turn a "computer says no" into approved.
Why it feels harder when you work for yourself.
It's rarely that you can't afford the loan. It's that the bank is reading your income the wrong way.
"We need two years of returns"
One slow year, a recent ABN, or returns you haven't lodged yet — and the major banks often stop the conversation. Many lenders are more flexible than your bank let on.
Your real income gets missed
Depreciation, one-off expenses, extra super and interest on cleared debts can often be "added back" to lift your assessable income — if whoever's reading it knows to look.
One rejection hurts the next
Applying to the wrong lender and getting knocked back can leave a mark on your credit file. We aim to get it right the first time, with the lender most likely to say yes.
A clear path, even if it's complicated.
Understand your setup
Sole trader, company, trust, contractor? We map how you're structured and how your income really flows.
Present you properly
We package your income the way lenders want to see it — add-backs, BAS, accountant letters — so nothing that counts gets left out.
Match the right lender
From the panel of 30+, we pick the lenders whose self-employed policy fits you — including one-year-return and low-doc options.
Guide you to settlement
We handle the paperwork and the back-and-forth, and explain every step in plain English so it never feels overwhelming.
Full-doc isn't the only door.
Depending on the lender and your situation, your income may be verified more than one way.
Full-doc
The standard path using your tax returns and notices of assessment. Some lenders accept just one year rather than two.
Low-doc / alt-doc
For up-to-date businesses without lodged returns — income can be supported with BAS, business bank statements or an accountant's declaration.
The right structure
How your loan is set up matters as much as the rate — we structure it to protect cashflow and keep your borrowing power for what's next.
Built for how you actually earn.
However your business is structured, there's usually a lender whose policy fits — the trick is knowing which one.
Sole traders & freelancers
Tradies, consultants, designers, gig workers and contractors — we use your tax returns, BAS or business banking to show your real income, even when your accountant has minimised it on paper.
Company directors & trusts
Pty Ltd, partnership or family trust? We read company and trust financials, add back retained profits and directors' wages, and present the full picture lenders need to see.
Contractors & new ABNs
Recently gone out on your own? Some lenders accept an ABN active for as little as 6–12 months, or just one year's returns — you don't always have to wait two full financial years.
How lenders really read self-employed income.
When you work for yourself, your taxable income and your real income are rarely the same number. Smart tax planning that lowers your bill can also make you look like you earn less than you do — and a bank's automated assessment takes that lower figure at face value. An experienced broker's job is to put back the income that genuinely supports a loan.
Add-backs: the income banks forget you have
Several expenses that reduce your taxable income can often be "added back" to your assessable income — including depreciation, one-off or non-recurring expenses, additional voluntary superannuation contributions, and interest on debts you've since paid out. Two lenders can read the exact same tax return and arrive at very different incomes; knowing which one reads you most generously is often the whole game.
Low-doc and one-year-return options
If your most recent returns aren't lodged yet, a low-doc (alt-doc) loan can verify income using BAS statements, business bank statements or an accountant's declaration instead of full tax returns. And while many lenders prefer two years of figures, a number will accept one year's tax returns — and some will consider you with an ABN active for just 6–12 months. Rates and deposit requirements vary, so it's about matching you to the right lender, not taking the first offer.
What you'll typically need
Every lender differs, but you can usually get started with your last one or two years of tax returns and ATO notices of assessment, recent BAS and business bank statements, and — if you trade through a company or trust — your business financials. If your tax isn't up to date, that's not a dead end; it simply points you toward a low-doc path.
Not sure where you'd land? Get a quick read with our borrowing power estimator, or read the full self-employed home loan guide in our Knowledge Hub.
Find out where you stand — for free.
Before you assume the bank's answer is the only answer, let's look at your numbers together. A short, obligation-free conversation will tell you what's realistically possible and which lenders fit.
- ✓ Honest read on your borrowing power
- ✓ Lenders matched to how you actually earn
- ✓ Plain-English guidance, start to finish
Your questions, answered.
Can I get a home loan if I'm self-employed?
Yes — self-employed borrowers and business owners get approved every day. The key is matching you to a lender whose self-employed policy suits how your income is structured, and presenting your figures the way lenders want to see them. Some lenders accept one year's tax returns, and low-doc options can use BAS or an accountant's declaration.
Can I get a home loan with only one year's tax returns?
Often, yes. While many lenders prefer two years of returns, several will approve self-employed borrowers on just one year's tax returns and notice of assessment, provided the business is established and the figures stack up. We know which lenders offer this and when it's the right move.
How long do I need an ABN to get a home loan?
It varies by lender. Some require two years of self-employment, but others accept an ABN active for as little as 6–12 months — especially if you previously worked in the same industry as an employee. A recent ABN doesn't have to mean waiting years to buy.
What is a low-doc (alt-doc) home loan?
A low-doc or alt-doc home loan lets self-employed borrowers verify income with alternative documents — such as BAS statements, business bank statements or an accountant's declaration — instead of full tax returns. It suits up-to-date businesses whose latest returns aren't lodged yet. Rates and deposit requirements vary by lender.
Do self-employed borrowers pay higher interest rates?
Not necessarily. If you qualify on a full-doc basis, you can usually access the same rates as any other borrower. Low-doc loans sometimes carry a slightly higher rate or a larger deposit to offset the reduced documentation, but the gap is often smaller than people expect — and we compare 30+ lenders to keep it as low as possible.
What deposit do I need as a self-employed buyer?
Generally the same as any buyer — often 5–20% depending on the loan and lender. Low-doc loans may ask for a larger deposit (commonly 10–20%). First home buyer schemes can still apply if you're eligible. We'll show you exactly what your situation requires.
Can I still get a home loan with ATO or tax debt?
Sometimes, yes. An ATO payment arrangement or tax debt isn't automatically a no — some lenders will consider it depending on the amount and how it's being managed, and refinancing to consolidate it is occasionally an option. It needs the right lender, which is exactly what we sort out.
Tell us about your situation.
Self-employed, contractor or business owner — share a few details and we'll call you back to talk through your options.