MFAA Member · ACL 389328 · Alt-Doc Specialists
Low-Doc Home Loan — Self-employed?
You can still get a home loan.
Sole traders, contractors, small business owners, recent business starters — the standard 2-year tax-return requirement doesn't have to stop you. Low-doc and alt-doc lenders accept BAS statements, accountant's letters, business bank statements as serviceability evidence.
BAS-based lender panel.
Not every lender does low-doc. Of those that do, appetite varies — some want 6 months BAS, some want 12, some need an accountant's letter on top. We know the panel.
Higher LVR than you'd think.
Standard low-doc LVR caps at 80% (vs 80%+ for full-doc). Some specialist non-banks will go to 85% with strong file. We model your real ceiling.
Rate premium is real but manageable.
Low-doc rates run 0.5-1% above full-doc rates. We negotiate the smallest gap possible and review for refinance to full-doc once 2 years of tax returns are available.
From first call to settlement
Easier than you'd think.
Send your business snapshot
ABN, registration date, GST status, last 6-12 months BAS or bank statements, target purchase budget.
We model lender appetite
Different lenders weight different evidence. We map which lenders accept your income story.
Application + accountant letter
We may request an accountant's letter to strengthen the file. Pre-approval typically 5-10 business days.
Review for refinance at year 2
Once you have 2 years of tax returns, we can refinance to a full-doc loan at a sharper rate.
Frequently asked questions.
How long do I need to have been self-employed before I can get a home loan?
Most full-doc lenders want 2 years of self-employment with 2 years of tax returns. Low-doc lenders can work with 6-12 months of trading history + BAS or accountant verification. Specialist non-banks can sometimes accept 3-6 months trading with strong income evidence.
Will I pay a higher interest rate as a self-employed borrower?
On a low-doc loan, typically yes — 0.5-1% above full-doc rates. The premium reflects the lender's reduced income verification. Once you have 2 years of tax returns and refinance to a full-doc loan, you'll typically drop back to standard rates.
Can I get a low-doc loan with a 5% deposit?
Generally no. Most low-doc loans cap at 80% LVR (20% deposit). Some specialist non-banks will go to 85% with strong supporting evidence, but a 5% deposit on low-doc is rare. The 5% Deposit Scheme is full-doc only.
Do I need to be GST-registered to get a low-doc loan?
Not strictly required, but GST registration makes BAS-based serviceability much easier. If you're not GST-registered (turnover under $75k), lenders rely on business bank statements + accountant verification — fewer lenders play in this space.
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