Self-Employed Home Loans Melbourne & Geelong
Being self-employed shouldn't stop you from buying a home — but getting a self-employed home loan in Melbourne without a payslip requires the right broker in your corner. Serving self-employed borrowers across Essendon, Coburg, Brunswick, Keilor East and all of Melbourne and Geelong, our team brings business banking backgrounds and decades of experience structuring alt doc and low doc home loans for sole traders, contractors and company directors.
Who We Help
If you run your own business — in any form — we can help. Self-employed borrowers come to us from a wide range of industries and structures:
Sole Traders
Tradies, consultants, freelancers operating under their own name or ABN
Contractors & Sub-Contractors
Construction, engineering, IT, healthcare — all industries
Company Directors
Business owners drawing salary, dividends or director's fees
Partners & Trusts
Beneficiaries of family or business trusts, partnership operators
Property Investors
Self-employed landlords looking to grow a property portfolio
Trades & Small Business
Builders, electricians, plumbers, mechanics, café and retail owners
Why Self-Employed Borrowers Face Extra Hurdles
Traditional home loan applications rely on PAYG payslips and group certificates to verify income. When you're self-employed, your income story is told differently — through tax returns, business financials, BAS statements and bank accounts.
The challenge is that legitimate tax minimisation strategies — claiming business expenses, depreciation, vehicle costs and other deductions — reduce your taxable income on paper. Lenders who only look at your tax returns may calculate a borrowing capacity far below what your actual cash flow supports.
The IFG Difference: We Speak Both Languages
Our directors Brian Hermosilla and Frank Marin both come from business banking backgrounds. We understand how profit is generated, how income is structured across different entity types, and — critically — how to present your income to lenders in the way they need to see it. We've sat on both sides of this conversation, and that experience is what we bring to your file.
Alternative Verification Options for Self-Employed Borrowers
You don't need two years of tax returns to get a home loan. A growing number of lenders — particularly specialist non-bank lenders on our panel — accept alternative income verification. Here are the options we commonly use:
Business Activity Statements (BAS)
Most alt doc lenders accept 12 months of BAS statements to verify gross income and GST turnover. This is often the fastest and cleanest path for active business owners.
Bank Statement Assessment
6–12 months of business and/or personal bank statements can demonstrate real cash flow — particularly useful when taxable income understates your actual earnings.
Accountant's Declaration
A letter or declaration from your qualified accountant confirming your income, business activity and financial position. Accepted by a wide range of lenders as standalone or supporting documentation.
1-Year Tax Return
Some lenders accept a single year of tax returns and notices of assessment rather than the standard two, reducing the documentation burden for recently established businesses.
Business Financials
Profit & loss statements and balance sheets prepared by your accountant can be used for full-doc assessment — often allowing access to better rates than pure alt doc products.
ABN & GST Registration
Active ABN registration (typically 2+ years) and GST registration are used to verify the legitimacy and longevity of your business — supporting your application across all verification types.
Which Option Is Right for You?
The right verification method depends on your entity structure, how long you've been self-employed, your deposit size and which lenders offer the most competitive rates for your situation. We assess all of this in your initial consultation — at no charge.
Full Doc vs. Alt Doc vs. Low Doc — At a Glance
| Feature | Full Doc | Alt Doc | Low Doc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income verification | 2 yrs tax returns + NOA | BAS / bank stmts / accountant letter | Borrower declaration + supporting docs |
| Typical minimum deposit | 5–10% (with LMI) | 20% | 20–30% |
| Interest rate | Standard rates | Slightly higher | Higher than standard |
| Lender types | All lenders | Specialist + some majors | Specialist non-bank lenders |
| ABN history required | 2+ years | 1–2 years (varies) | 6–12 months (varies) |
| Best for | Established businesses with clean tax returns | Good cash flow, high deductions | Newer ABN, fast approval needed |
Note: Products and policies vary by lender and change frequently. IFG will compare current options across 30+ lenders to find the most suitable match for your situation. This table is a general guide only and does not constitute credit advice.
Business Banking Experience — A Real Advantage for You
Before founding Integrated Finance Group, Brian Hermosilla and Frank Marin built careers inside major financial institutions in business banking and lending. That background isn't just a line on a résumé — it's the foundation of how we approach every self-employed client file.
We understand the mechanics of business income: how sole traders book revenue differently from company directors, how GST turnover relates to net profit, how add-backs work, and how lenders internally assess trading history. Most importantly, we know how to structure and present your application to give it the best possible chance of approval.
When a lender's credit team reviews your file, it needs to tell a clear, consistent income story. Our job is to construct that narrative accurately and compliantly — then match you to the lender whose credit policy best suits your profile across our panel of 30+ lenders.
Access to 30+ Lenders — Including Specialist Non-Bank Options
Self-employed borrowers are not all the same — and neither are lenders. Some of the major banks have flexible self-employed policies; others are strict. Specialist non-bank lenders often offer the most accommodating alt doc and low doc products, sometimes at competitive rates. The difference between an approval and a decline often comes down to which lender you choose — not whether you qualify.
Our lender panel includes:
- The Big 4 banks — ANZ, CBA, NAB, Westpac and their subsidiaries (each with different self-employed policies)
- Major non-bank lenders — Pepper Money, La Trobe Financial, Liberty Financial, Bluestone, RedZed and others with dedicated self-employed product ranges
- Regional and mutual banks — often with more flexible underwriting than the majors
- Specialist lenders — for complex structures, short ABN history or high-LVR requirements
We do not favour any single lender. Our obligation — under ASIC's Best Interests Duty — is to find the right fit for you.
How the Process Works
Free Strategy Call (15–30 mins)
We learn about your income structure, business type, borrowing goal and deposit position. We'll tell you upfront what's achievable and which documentation path suits your situation.
Document Collection
We give you a tailored checklist — only what's required for the lenders we're targeting. No unnecessary paperwork. We'll work with your accountant if needed.
Lender Matching & Credit Assessment
We run a shadow credit assessment before lodging any application — protecting your credit file. We select the lender whose policy best fits your profile and present your file strategically.
Application & Approval
We manage the full application process, respond to lender queries and keep you updated at every stage — typically through to formal approval within 1–3 weeks depending on the lender.
Settlement & Beyond
We coordinate with your solicitor, the lender and the vendor to ensure a smooth settlement. And we stay in touch post-settlement — as your business grows, your finance strategy should too.
What Our Self-Employed Clients Say
"I'd been knocked back by two banks before finding IFG. Brian understood my situation immediately — I run a construction company and my tax returns don't reflect my actual income at all. They got us approved using BAS statements and we settled within the month."
"Frank's business banking background was immediately obvious — he asked the right questions, knew exactly what lenders would want to see and presented our income in a way that finally made sense to a credit team. Couldn't recommend highly enough."
"As a sole trader for 3 years, I thought home ownership was years away. IFG found an alt doc lender that accepted my bank statements and accountant letter. Settlement completed in 6 weeks. The whole team was fantastic throughout."
📚 Further reading for self-employed borrowers
Frequently Asked Questions — Self-Employed Home Loans
- Can I get a home loan if I'm self-employed in Australia?
- Yes — self-employed borrowers can absolutely get home loans in Australia. The key is having the right documentation and working with a broker who understands how self-employed income is assessed. We specialise in alt doc and low doc options that use BAS statements, bank statements or an accountant's declaration in place of traditional payslips.
- What documents do I need for a self-employed home loan?
- The exact documents depend on the loan type and lender, but typically include one or more of: 12 months' BAS statements, 6–12 months' business/personal bank statements, an accountant's letter or declaration, 1–2 years' personal tax returns and notices of assessment, business financials (P&L, balance sheet), and ABN registration details. Full doc loans require tax returns; alt doc options allow alternatives. We'll advise the best path in your first consultation.
- How long do I need to be self-employed to qualify?
- Most standard lenders require a minimum 2 years of self-employment. However, specialist lenders on our panel can consider borrowers with as little as 6–12 months' ABN history in the right circumstances — particularly if you were previously employed in the same industry. We assess your full situation before making any recommendation.
- Why does my taxable income show less than I actually earn?
- Perfectly legal tax minimisation strategies — business expense deductions, depreciation, vehicle costs and other claims — reduce taxable income on paper. This is a very common frustration for self-employed borrowers. Alt doc lenders can use bank statement-based income assessment or accountant declarations to capture a more accurate picture of your actual cash flow.
- How much deposit do I need as a self-employed borrower?
- For full doc loans (using tax returns), self-employed borrowers can access the same deposit requirements as PAYG employees — as low as 5–10% with LMI, or 20% to avoid LMI. For alt doc and low doc products, most lenders require a minimum 20% deposit. We'll identify the lowest possible deposit requirement across our lender panel for your specific situation.
- What is the difference between low doc and alt doc loans?
- Both are designed for borrowers who cannot provide traditional income evidence. "Low doc" typically refers to older-style products with minimal documentation; "alt doc" (alternative documentation) is the more current term for products accepting BAS statements, bank statements or accountant declarations instead of — or alongside — tax returns. The terminology varies by lender. We'll explain exactly which product type suits you.
- Will applying affect my credit score?
- Every formal credit application leaves a footprint on your credit file. Before lodging any application, we run a shadow assessment to ensure you meet the lender's policy — so we only apply when we're confident of the outcome. This protects your credit profile.
- Do you charge a fee for self-employed clients?
- No. Integrated Finance Group does not charge clients a fee. We are paid an upfront and trailing commission by the lender when your loan settles. All commissions are disclosed in writing before any application is submitted. Under ASIC's Best Interests Duty, we are legally required to recommend what is right for you — not what earns us the most.
Important: Credit products, lender policies and income verification requirements change frequently. The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute personal credit advice. Your individual circumstances will determine the most suitable loan product and lender. Integrated Finance Group operates as a Credit Representative of BLSSA Pty Ltd ABN 69 117 651 760, Australian Credit Licence 391237. Brian Hermosilla (CR 485802) and Frank Marin (CR 486546) are MFAA-accredited brokers. We act in your best interests under ASIC's Best Interests Duty obligations.
Ready to Talk About Your Self-Employed Home Loan?
Book a free, no-obligation 15-minute strategy call. We'll assess your income structure, identify your best verification options and tell you exactly what's achievable — no pressure, no fees, just straight answers.
Or call us directly: 0401 333 636 (Brian) · 0413 032 898 (Frank)