Self-employed home loans
Your tax return is written to lower your tax. A lender reads it to measure your income. We bridge the two.
How lenders measure your income
Most lenders start with your last two tax returns and notices of assessment and average them, or take the lower year. Some will work from the latest year alone, which helps if the business is growing. They can add back costs that are not real cash out the door, such as depreciation and one-off expenses. Which add-backs count varies by lender.
When your returns don’t tell the story
Alt doc or low doc loans assess income from business activity statements, business bank statements or an accountant’s letter. Rates are usually higher and deposits larger. They suit borrowers whose latest returns are not lodged yet or don’t reflect current trading.
The tax-time trap
Every legitimate deduction that lowers your taxable income also lowers your borrowing power. If you plan to buy in the next year or two, talk to us and your accountant before the return is lodged, not after.
Keep business and personal debt apart
Business loans, vehicle finance and tax debts all count against you. We look at whether business debts can be shown as paid by the business, and at separating them from your home lending. For vehicles and equipment, see asset finance. For tax debts, see home loans with an ATO debt.
How we handle it
The same four steps on every loan, whatever the size.
Talk
A 20-minute call about what you want to do. No documents needed yet.
Compare
Your scenario priced across 40+ banks, mutuals and non-bank lenders, explained in plain English.
Settle
We package the application, lodge it and chase the lender through to settlement.
Stay sharp
Every year we check your rate against the market, so the loyalty tax never gets a grip.
Questions people ask
How long do I need to have been in business?
Most lenders want two years of trading with an ABN. Some accept one year, particularly if you worked in the same trade as an employee before.
I am a contractor or sole trader. Is that different?
Some lenders treat contractors with regular invoices to one or two clients more like employees. We find the policy that fits how you are paid.
What documents will I need?
Tax returns and notices of assessment, recent BAS and business bank statements are the usual set. See the document checklist.
General information, last updated November 2026. Scheme figures, lender policies and duty rates change, so confirm them before you rely on them.
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Let’s talk about your next move
Twenty minutes on the phone. No documents and no sales pitch.