You’ve built a real business. You’ve been trading for two years, you’re registered for GST, and you’re ready to buy property. The problem is your tax returns don’t tell the full story — and your bank knows it.
At Outlook Finance, we specialise in low doc home loans for self-employed Australians exactly like you. If you have 24 months ABN and are GST registered, you’re in a strong position — and we can help you get approved.
Why Your Tax Returns Are Working Against You
Most self-employed borrowers minimise their taxable income — it’s smart business practice. But when you apply for a home loan at a major bank, they assess what’s on your tax return, not what’s actually flowing through your business.
If your tax return shows $60,000 in income but your business turns over $350,000, the bank says no. That’s not a borrowing problem. That’s a documentation problem.
Low doc loans were created to fix exactly this.
What Having 24 Months ABN + GST Registration Means for Your Application
Lenders consider 24 months of ABN registration and GST registration as strong indicators of an established, legitimate business. This opens up more options than borrowers who are newly self-employed.
With your profile, you may qualify for:
- Up to 80% LVR — borrow up to 80% of the property value without Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) through specialist lenders
- Loan amounts from $150,000 to $5 million+
- Both owner-occupied and investment property
- Competitive rates — your 2-year track record as an established business gives lenders more confidence
What Documents Do You Need?
Because you’re 24 months ABN registered and GST registered, you have access to the most straightforward low doc verification pathway.
BAS Statements (Business Activity Statements)
Your BAS statements — lodged with the ATO every quarter — show your actual business turnover. Most specialist lenders accept 12 months of BAS statements as income verification. Because you’re GST registered, your BAS statements are official ATO records, which carry significant weight.
Business Bank Statements
12 months of business bank statements showing consistent deposits. This corroborates your BAS turnover and gives lenders confidence in your cash flow.
Accountant’s Declaration (some lenders)
A letter from your accountant confirming your income. Not required by all lenders, but strengthens applications where additional verification helps.
What You Don’t Need
- Two years of personal tax returns
- Two years of business tax returns
- Notices of Assessment (NOAs)
- Accountant-prepared financial statements
How We Calculate Your Borrowing Capacity
When you apply for a low doc loan through Outlook Finance, we use your actual business turnover — not your taxable income — to determine what you can borrow.
| BAS Turnover (12 months) | Estimated Borrowing Capacity* |
|---|---|
| $300,000 | Up to ~$900,000 |
| $500,000 | Up to ~$1,500,000 |
| $800,000 | Up to ~$2,400,000+ |
*Subject to lender assessment, expenses, LVR, and property security. These are indicative figures only.
Who This Is For
This page is for self-employed Australians who:
- Have been ABN registered for at least 24 months
- Are registered for GST (earning $75,000+ annually from their business)
- Are a sole trader, company director, or partnership
- Want to buy a home, investment property, or refinance an existing loan
- Have been declined by a major bank or haven’t applied because they assumed they wouldn’t qualify
This includes tradies, consultants, contractors, retail business owners, hospitality operators, healthcare professionals in private practice, and anyone running their own business.
Why Outlook Finance
We are a specialist mortgage brokerage with deep relationships across Australia’s non-bank and specialist lender market. We don’t just compare the four major banks — we access lenders that aren’t available to the public or to generalist brokers.
- We structure your application correctly the first time — avoiding the credit file damage that comes from multiple declines
- We know which lenders suit 24-month ABN applicants — not every lender treats your profile the same way
- Free 30-minute assessment — we tell you exactly what you can borrow before you apply
- No upfront fees — we get paid when your loan settles
What the Process Looks Like
Step 1 — Free Assessment (30 minutes)
We review your situation: ABN age, GST status, BAS turnover, the property you want, and your goals. We give you a realistic borrowing capacity and tell you which lenders suit your profile.
Step 2 — Document Collection
We tell you exactly what to gather — typically 12 months BAS statements and business bank statements. No surprises.
Step 3 — Lender Selection & Application
We prepare a strong application and submit to the right lender — one who will approve it, not one who will decline it and damage your credit file.
Step 4 — Approval & Settlement
Most approvals take 5–10 business days with specialist lenders. We manage the process end to end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be GST registered to get a low doc home loan?
No — but being GST registered strengthens your application significantly. It means your business has been verified with the ATO, your BAS statements are official records, and you’re earning above $75,000 per year. Lenders see GST registration as a mark of an established, legitimate business.
What if my most recent BAS statements show lower turnover?
This is common. We work with lenders who allow you to use your best 12 months of BAS statements, not necessarily the most recent. If your business had a slower period, we find the right lender and structure for your specific numbers.
Can I borrow more than 80% LVR on a low doc loan?
Some lenders will go above 80% LVR with Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), though options are more limited. We’ll advise you on the best structure based on your deposit and the property value.
What if I’ve been declined before?
Declines from major banks are extremely common for self-employed borrowers and don’t disqualify you from specialist low doc lending. We see this regularly. We review exactly why you were declined and ensure your next application is submitted to the right lender with the right structure.
I’m a sole trader — does that count?
Yes. Sole traders, company directors, trust beneficiaries, and partnership members all qualify. Your business structure doesn’t affect eligibility as much as your ABN age, GST registration, and verifiable turnover.
What interest rates can I expect?
Low doc rates are typically 0.3% to 1.0% above standard full doc rates. The 24-month ABN + GST profile generally qualifies for the more competitive end of that range. We compare rates across our lender panel to find the best option for you.
Ready to Find Out What You Can Borrow?
Book your free 30-minute assessment. We’ll review your BAS statements, tell you exactly what you qualify for, and walk you through the right lenders for your situation — no obligation, no upfront cost.
Outlook Finance is a licensed Australian credit representative. All loan applications are subject to lender credit assessment and approval. Indicative borrowing capacities are estimates only and do not constitute a loan offer.