Home Loan Solutions for
Self-Employed Australians
Traditional loans rely heavily on payslips and standard income verification. But if you are self-employed, a contractor, or run your own business — Low-Doc and Alt-Doc loans provide flexible alternatives that reflect how you actually earn.
How income is verified in a Low Doc loan
Since you are not providing full tax returns, lenders use a combination of the following to verify your ability to repay the loan.
Business Activity Statements (BAS)
Usually the last 6 to 12 months of BAS to show consistent business turnover and trading activity.
Business bank statements
3 to 6 months of statements showing regular trading and a healthy, consistent cash flow.
Accountant's declaration
A signed letter from your qualified accountant certifying that your declared income is true and the business can comfortably service the debt.
Self-declaration (income declaration form)
A formal Income Declaration form where you state your annual earnings, cross-referenced against BAS and bank statements.
Instead of standard income documents, lenders may accept
What lenders require for a Low Doc loan
Because lenders are taking on higher perceived risk without full tax documentation, they tighten requirements in other areas. Here is what they look for.
ABN & GST registration
Most lenders require your ABN to be active for at least 2 years. Some specialist lenders may consider 6–12 months. If your business turns over more than $75,000, GST registration is required — lenders will verify your registration history on the ABR.
Substantial deposit (equity)
Most Low Doc loans are capped at 80% LVR — meaning you need a 20% deposit. The 60% 'sweet spot': if you have a 40% deposit (60% LVR), many lenders will waive LMI and offer much more competitive interest rates.
Clean credit history
Low Doc lenders are very strict about credit health. Because they have less paperwork to rely on, they rely heavily on Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR). Even small defaults on utility bills or late credit card payments can lead to an automatic decline.
Asset-to-debt ratio
Lenders like to see 'asset wealth.' If you are claiming a high income, they expect to see that reflected in your assets — equity in property, healthy superannuation, or business equipment. A common benchmark is a 2:1 ratio of assets to the loan amount.
How deposit size affects your Low Doc loan
Your deposit is one of the most powerful levers in a Low Doc application. A larger deposit reduces risk for the lender — and unlocks significantly better terms for you.
The typical threshold for most Low Doc products. LMI may apply.
LMI often waived. Faster approvals, lower rates, and a much smoother application process.
The 60% LVR advantage
At 60% LVR (40% deposit), many lenders will waive Lenders Mortgage Insurance entirely and offer interest rates that are very close to standard market rates. This is the single biggest lever for improving your Low Doc loan outcome.
Why Low-Doc loans matter for self-employed borrowers
You should not miss out on property ownership simply because your income structure is different from a salaried employee.
Opportunity for self-employed borrowers
You should not miss out on property ownership simply because your income structure is different from a traditional salaried employee.
Flexible lending assessment
These loans are designed to reflect real business income rather than traditional employment structures — meeting you where you are.
Things to consider
Low-doc loans may have slightly higher interest rates and stricter lending conditions — which is why expert guidance is essential.
Why self-employed clients choose Kubaer Finance
We specialise in presenting complex financial profiles clearly and professionally to lenders — improving your approval chances and ensuring there are no surprises at settlement.
Lenders we work with
We compare Low Doc products across specialist non-bank lenders and major banks to find the right fit for your business profile and deposit size.
Specialist non-bank lenders
Major & second-tier banks
Low Doc vs Full Doc — key differences
Understanding the key differences helps you know which product applies to your situation — and what to work towards.
Feature
Low Doc
Full Doc
Strategy: convert to Full Doc later
Once you have 1–2 years of consistent tax returns showing your income, we can help you refinance your Low Doc loan into a standard Full Doc product at a lower rate. This is a common and effective strategy for new business owners who could not wait for tax assessments to be finalised.
Common questions
Everything self-employed borrowers ask about Low-Doc and Alt-Doc home loans.