Self-Employed Finance

Yes. We work with sole traders, company and trust structures, contractors and borrowers with multiple income streams. We assess how each lender treats the available evidence, including tax returns, BAS, business statements and eligible add-backs.

It varies by lender. Some require two full financial years; others will consider a shorter trading history under specific policy where the evidence supports it. A shorter history narrows the panel rather than ruling finance out.

Add-backs are business expenses a lender will add back to your assessable income — things like depreciation, one-off costs or superannuation above the required level. Each lender allows a different set, which is one of the main reasons borrowing capacity varies so widely.

Full-doc uses your tax returns and financial statements. Alt-doc uses alternative evidence — typically BAS, business bank statements or an accountant’s declaration — for borrowers whose returns do not yet reflect the business. Alt-doc usually prices higher, and not every lender offers it.

It matters, but it is not necessarily fatal. Some lenders will consider more recent evidence such as BAS or year-to-date figures alongside the return. Which lender the application goes to makes the difference here.

Not automatically. Where full financials are available and the application fits standard policy, self-employed borrowers can access the same products as anyone else. Higher rates generally come from using alt-doc or specialist lenders, which is a trade-off we set out clearly.