Finance built for the self-employed
Alternative documentation home loans for business owners, sole traders, and ABN holders — without the full tax return hurdle.
Who qualifies for Alt Doc?
Alt Doc lending is designed for self-employed Australians whose income doesn’t fit neatly into a standard payslip structure.
Tradespeople & Contractors
Builders, electricians, plumbers, and labour-hire contractors running their own ABN.
Sole Traders
Individuals operating under their own ABN with variable income or retained earnings.
Small Business Owners
Directors and owners whose business financials differ from personal taxable income.
Professionals & Consultants
Accountants, lawyers, IT consultants, and other professionals billing through a company or trust.
Alt Doc loan at a glance
Key parameters you need to know before you apply.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum Loan Amount | $50,000 |
| Maximum Loan Amount | $15,000,000 |
| Maximum LVR | Up to 80% (Loan to Value Ratio) |
| Cash Out | Unlimited — available for any purpose including investment, renovation, or debt consolidation |
| Suitable Borrowers | Self-employed persons, sole traders, business owners, ABN holders |
| ABN Requirement | Active ABN registered for a minimum of 2 years |
| GST Registration | GST registered for at least 12 months — required when annual turnover exceeds $75,000 |
| Defaults | Paid defaults up to $500 may be considered on a case-by-case basis |
| Mortgage Arrears | Arrears of less than 1 month in the last 6 months may be accepted |
Business registration criteria
Lenders use your ABN and GST history to verify that your business is genuine and trading. Here’s what you need in place.
ABN (Australian Business Number)
- ABN must be active and registered for at least 2 years
- Applies to sole traders, companies, partnerships, and trusts
- ABN must be in the same name as the borrower or a related entity they control
GST (Goods & Services Tax)
- GST registration required for at least 12 months
- Only mandatory if your annual business turnover exceeds $75,000
- Below $75K turnover — GST registration is not required but still demonstrates trading activity
- ABN registered 3 years ago, currently active
- Turnover $200K/year, GST registered for 2 years
- Sole trader with consistent BAS lodgements
- ABN is 18 months old (under 2-year minimum)
- Turnover above $75K but GST only registered 8 months ago
- Speak to us — lender exceptions may apply
- GST registration is not legally required below this threshold
- Income verification via business bank statements or accountant letter
- ABN age requirement (2 years) still applies
Imperfect credit? We can still help.
Alt Doc lenders take a more flexible view of credit history than major banks — minor blemishes don’t automatically disqualify you.
- Paid defaults up to $500 may be considered
- Assessment is on a case-by-case basis
- Larger or unpaid defaults will require further review
- Arrears of less than 1 month in the last 6 months may be accepted
- Consistent repayment history beyond that period required
- Must demonstrate ability to service the new loan
- Overall credit file pattern, not just individual events
- Explanation letters for isolated incidents
- Current income and serviceability strength
- LVR — lower LVR strengthens your application
Important: Credit history requirements vary between lenders. The criteria above reflect general Alt Doc parameters — individual lender policies may differ. Contact us for a personalised assessment.
How income is verified
Alt Doc loans use alternative methods to verify your income — no full tax returns required. Common options include:
Business Bank Statements
Typically the last 6–12 months of business bank statements demonstrating regular deposits consistent with the declared income.
BAS Statements
Business Activity Statements lodged with the ATO — a strong indicator of trading income and GST activity over time.
Accountant’s Letter
A signed declaration from your registered accountant confirming your annual income and that your business is profitable and trading.
Income Declaration
A self-certified income declaration (some lenders accept this for lower LVR applications, subject to supporting evidence).
Talk to a specialist today
Our brokers understand self-employed lending. We’ll find the right Alt Doc lender and structure the application to give you the best chance of approval.
Request a free consultation
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