If your bank said no because you’re self-employed, a low doc home loan may be the answer. At Outlook Finance, we specialise in low doc lending — and we say yes when banks say no.
What Is a Low Doc Home Loan?
A low doc home loan is a mortgage designed for borrowers who cannot provide the standard two years of tax returns. Instead of tax returns, lenders accept alternative proof of income such as BAS statements (12 months), an accountant’s declaration, 12 months of business bank statements, or a signed borrower income declaration.
Who Qualifies for a Low Doc Home Loan in Australia?
You may qualify if you are self-employed for 6–24 months or more, a sole trader or freelancer without consistent tax returns, a small business owner, an investor using rental income, a contractor with variable income, or someone who recently started a new business. Some specialist lenders consider applicants with as little as 6 months ABN registration.
How Much Can You Borrow?
Low doc home loans typically allow borrowing up to 80% LVR without LMI through specialist lenders. At Outlook Finance, we work with lenders offering up to 80% LVR, unlimited cash out, loan amounts from $150,000 to $5 million+, and both owner-occupied and investment properties.
Why Banks Say No — And Why Outlook Finance Says Yes
Most major banks decline self-employed borrowers whose tax returns show low income — even when actual cash flow is strong. This is a documentation problem, not an income problem. At Outlook Finance, we know which lenders assess self-employed income differently, work with non-bank specialist lenders, structure applications correctly the first time, and have access to products major banks don’t offer.
We are the first call for low doc loans in Australia — because we’ve helped hundreds of self-employed Australians get approved when their bank said no.
Low Doc vs Full Doc: What’s the Difference?
Full doc loans require 2 years of tax returns and suit PAYG employees, with up to 80–95% LVR at standard rates from all major banks. Low doc loans accept BAS, accountant’s letters, or bank statements and suit self-employed borrowers, with up to 60–80% LVR at slightly higher rates from specialist and some major bank lenders.
How to Apply
- Free 30-minute assessment — we review your situation, income, and goals
- Document preparation — we tell you exactly what you need
- Lender matching — we identify the right lender for your profile
- Application lodgement — we handle everything
- Approval and settlement — fast turnaround with specialist lenders
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a low doc loan if I’ve only been self-employed for 1 year? Yes. Some lenders consider applicants with as little as 6–12 months ABN registration.
Can I refinance to a low doc loan? Yes. Low doc refinancing including cash-out refinancing is available up to 80% LVR with no cap on equity accessed.
What if I’ve had a previous credit issue? We have lenders who specialise in adverse credit low doc lending.