Self-Employed Home Loan Guide — How to Get Approved in Australia

Over 2 million Australians are self-employed, and lenders have well-established pathways for assessing business income. The key difference is how your income is verified and shaded compared to PAYG employees.

How long do I need to be self-employed to get a home loan?

Most mainstream lenders require a minimum of 2 years' continuous self-employment with matching tax returns. Some specialist lenders will consider 1 year with strong BAS and bank statement evidence.

Will my home loan rate be higher because I'm self-employed?

For full-doc loans with 2+ years of trading history and a 20%+ deposit, your rate should be comparable to PAYG borrowers. Low-doc loans carry a premium of 0.5–1.5% above standard variable rates.

Can I use business income and PAYG income together?

Yes. If you have a PAYG-employed partner, their salary is assessed at 100% (no shading) and combined with your shaded self-employed income.

What if my income dropped in one year?

A significant drop between years is a red flag for lenders. They'll use the lower figure. An accountant's letter explaining one-off anomalies can help.