Home Loans for the Self Employed
Banks knocked you back because of your tax returns? You have more options than you think. Low doc, alt doc, and full doc home loans for sole traders, ABN holders, and business owners across Australia.
The problem and the fix
Why banks say no to self employed borrowers
Major banks assess home loan applications using payslips, group certificates, and two full years of tax returns. If you are self employed, run your own business, or work as a sole trader, you rarely have all three — and even when you do, your tax returns often show a lower income than what you actually earn.
That is not a reflection of your ability to repay. It is a documentation problem. Specialist lenders and non-bank lenders understand this and have built products specifically for self employed borrowers that assess income differently — through bank statements, BAS statements, or an accountant's letter rather than a tax return.
As a specialist self employed mortgage broker, Thrift Capital matches you with the right lender for your situation. Whether you are a tradie, a company director, a contractor, or a sole trader — there is likely a pathway to your home loan today.
Your options
Low doc, alt doc, and full doc home loans
Three documentation pathways depending on what you have available. Your broker helps you work out which one fits before you apply.
Low Doc Home Loan
Designed for self employed borrowers who cannot provide standard payslips or recent tax returns. Assessed using alternative income evidence.
- Active ABN (typically 12+ months)
- 6–12 months business bank statements
- BAS statements
- Borrower income declaration
- Up to 80% LVR with some lenders
Alt Doc Home Loan
Alternative documentation loans accept a broader range of income evidence than low doc, with more flexibility around what you provide.
- Accountant's letter confirming income
- Bank statements showing cashflow
- BAS statements
- Tax returns if available (not required)
- Often available up to 80–85% LVR
Full Doc Home Loan
If your tax returns are up to date and reflect your actual income, full doc gives you access to the sharpest rates on the market — including from major banks.
- Two years tax returns (personal and business)
- Financial statements
- Active ABN with 2+ years history
- Best interest rates available
- Full major bank and non-bank access
Who this is for
Who can apply for a self employed home loan?
If you earn income from running your own business or work without a traditional PAYG salary, there is likely a pathway to a home loan. Common applicant types include:
Tradies
Plumbers, electricians, builders, carpenters, and other trade business owners running under an ABN.
Sole traders
Freelancers, consultants, and independent operators with an ABN and variable income.
Company directors
Business owners who pay themselves through dividends, drawings, or a combination of salary and profit.
Owner operators
Transport operators, contractors, and owner drivers with irregular income cycles.
Contractors
IT, engineering, and professional services contractors working on short-term or rolling contracts.
Small business owners
SME directors and business owners whose tax returns do not reflect true cashflow.
What lenders assess
How specialist lenders assess self employed income
Without payslips or tax returns, specialist lenders use a combination of the following to verify your income and assess serviceability. Different lenders prioritise different evidence — which is why having a broker who knows each lender's appetite before you apply is critical.
Income evidence
- Business bank statements (6–24 months)
- BAS statements
- Accountant's letter or declaration
- Tax returns where available
- ATO income assessment
Supporting factors
- ABN registration period
- GST registration
- Personal credit history
- Deposit size and genuine savings
- Property type and location
Why use a broker
Why Thrift Capital instead of going direct?
Self employed home loans are more complex than standard applications. Lenders have widely different policies on ABN age, acceptable income evidence, and LVR limits. Going direct to the wrong lender — or worse, applying to multiple — can damage your credit file and make approval harder.
Specialist self employed knowledge
We work exclusively with self employed Australians. We know which lenders accept bank statements only, which need BAS, and who offers the best rates for your ABN age.
Credit file protected
We assess your situation before submitting a single application. No scattergun approach. One lender, the right lender, first time.
40+ lenders including non-banks
Access to major banks, second-tier lenders, and specialist non-banks who understand self employed income — not just the two lenders you could find yourself.
End to end management
From initial assessment through to settlement we manage the process, liaise with lenders, and keep you updated so you can focus on running your business.
The process
How it works
Tell us about your situation
How long you have had your ABN, what you earn, whether you have tax returns available, and what you are looking to buy. That is enough to get started.
We identify the right documentation pathway
We assess whether low doc, alt doc, or full doc is the right fit for your situation and identify which lenders on our panel suit your income type and ABN history.
Pre-qualification without touching your credit file
We work out your borrowing capacity and likely approval before submitting anything. No credit enquiry until you are ready to proceed.
Application submitted to the right lender
One application, structured correctly, to the lender most likely to approve you at the sharpest rate available for your profile.
Approval and settlement
We manage the process through to settlement and keep you informed at every step. Our service is free — lenders pay our commission.
Ready to find your home loan?
No obligation. No upfront fees. No impact on your credit file until you are ready to proceed.
Common questions