Home Loans for Self-Employed
- One year of financials can be enough — several lenders assess on your most recent year only, which matters when the business is growing.
- Add-backs applied properly: depreciation, one-off costs, extra super and interest can be added back to lift assessable income well above your taxable figure.
- Alt-doc options using BAS, business bank statements or an accountant's letter when tax returns are not ready or do not tell the real story.
- Company and trust structures accepted by lenders on our panel — including distributions and retained profits where policy allows.
- Indicative pricing from our panel where offered — formal approval and policy always decide the final outcome.
Self-employed home loans
What we lock in for self-employed borrowers
Straightforward guidance on full-doc vs alt-doc lending, add-backs that lift your assessable income, and which lenders genuinely understand ABN income rather than punishing it.
Your financials, read generously
Two lenders can read the same tax return $40k apart in assessable income. We apply add-backs and latest-year policies to present your income at its honest maximum.
Enquire nowFull-doc to alt-doc, one panel
If a major bank works, we use it. If not, alt-doc and specialist lenders assess on BAS or bank statements — usually with a plan to refinance to a sharper rate once returns catch up.
Enquire nowStructure-aware lending
Sole trader, company, trust or a mix — we match lenders who accept your structure and its distributions, and we work alongside your accountant, not around them.
Enquire nowEligibility
What lenders usually want from self-employed borrowers
Most banks want an ABN of 18–24 months and one to two years of financials. But policies differ enormously: some use your latest year only, some average two, and alt-doc lenders can work from BAS, bank statements or an accountant's letter.
New ABN or a low taxable income on paper? Alt-doc and specialist policies exist precisely for this — we confirm the fit before you pay upfront valuation or application fees.
- ABN and GST registration history that meets the lender's minimum — from 3 months (specialist) to 2 years (major bank).
- Income evidence matched to the product: tax returns and NOAs for full-doc, or BAS, business bank statements or an accountant's declaration for alt-doc.
- Structure accepted — sole trader, partnership, company or trust — with add-backs (depreciation, one-offs, super above SG, interest) applied where policy allows.
Three easy steps
From first chat to settlement, it's as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Understand your needs
In our first 20-minute chat, we explore your situation and what you want to achieve, so we know we're on the same page from day one.
Reviewing your options
Within a few days, we send clear recommendations from our lender panel and answer your questions: no jargon, just next steps.
Approval through to settlement
When you're ready, we prepare your application, deal with the lender, and stay on top of the process until your loan settles.
FAQ
Home loans for self-employed - common questions
How long do I need to be self-employed to get a home loan?
Major banks generally want an ABN of about 2 years with 1–2 years of returns. Some accept 1 year, and specialist lenders can work from as little as 3–6 months of trading with alt-doc evidence at a higher rate.
My taxable income is low because of deductions. Am I stuck?
Often no. Add-backs — depreciation, one-off expenses, super above the guarantee, interest on debts being refinanced — can lift your assessable income substantially. Alt-doc products are the fallback when returns genuinely understate the business.
What is an alt-doc or low-doc loan?
A loan assessed on BAS, business bank statements or an accountant's declaration instead of full tax returns. Rates are higher than full-doc, so we usually pair one with a plan to refinance once your financials support it.
Do lenders average my last two years of income?
Many average two years, which hurts a growing business. Several lenders use the most recent year only when income increased — lender choice can change your borrowing power dramatically.
Can my company or trust be the borrower?
For a home you live in, the borrower is usually personal even if income flows from a company or trust. For investment purchases, some lenders accept company and trust borrowers — with more documents and a narrower panel.
Do I pay a broker fee?
Most loans pay us via lender commission on settlement. Some specialist files differ — anything beyond commission is agreed in writing first.
Can a mortgage broker in Sydney help self-employed borrowers who live interstate?
Yes. Lender policy is national. Our office is in Brookvale on the Northern Beaches; most of the work happens by phone, video and secure document upload.
How do I start an enquiry?
Use the form on this page or call 1300 992 837. The first conversation is no-obligation — we confirm whether a professional program is realistic before you pay application or valuation fees.
Do you have a Northern Beaches office?
Yes. Approved Property Finance is at 2/658 Pittwater Road, Brookvale NSW 2100.
Our lenders
We compare offerings from 70+ banks and non-bank lenders to find a fit for you
More choice means a better chance of matching your scenario, whether you're buying, investing, or refinancing.
- CommBank
- Westpac
- ANZ
- NAB
- Macquarie
- ING
- Suncorp
- Bankwest
- St.George
- BankSA
- ME Bank
- Bluestone
- Adelaide Bank
- Citi
Enquire about self-employed home loans
Tell us your structure, how long you've traded, and what your last returns look like — we'll outline lenders whose policy reads your income the most generously.