Trade income, understood
ABN income, add-backs and BAS, read the way lenders assess them.
SELF-EMPLOYED LENDING
Home loans for tradies.
Buy a home sooner.
Even when the bank says no.
Self-employed lending is our specialty. Whether you run your own ABN, subcontract or have just gone out on your own, we help tradies buy and refinance when a bank’s standard assessment doesn’t fit trade income. We know which of our 40+ lenders lend comfortably to trade businesses. Personal guidance from Ausfirst Lending Group in Caloundra.
Excellent · 35 Google reviews40+Lenders on our panel
50+ yearsCombined lending experience
$0Broker fee for home loans
Local careQueensland-wide
WHY GOOD EARNERS GET KNOCKED BACK
It’s how the income
reads, not affordability.
Most tradies who get declined can comfortably afford the loan. Trade income doesn’t arrive as a tidy fortnightly payslip, so automated assessments read a strong business as “inconsistent”. We present net profit, add-backs and BAS the way lenders assess them, to lenders that understand a trade business.
40+ lenders
We know which say yes to self-employed and trade income.
One broker throughout
The same person from the first chat through to settlement.
The bank already said no? One bank’s decline is one bank’s policy. A different lender and a better-presented file often gets a yes.
Start with a free chatHOW LENDERS ASSESS TRADE INCOME
Same money,
different answers.
Two builders on the same income can get different answers, depending on how it’s documented.
Full-doc, read properly
Two years of returns and NOAs, with add-backs for depreciation, one-offs, extra super and interest.
Low-doc for newer ABNs
BAS plus an accountant’s declaration, usually with an ABN and GST history.
The “one good year”
A handful of lenders use your stronger latest year instead of averaging two.
Apprentices and mixed income
PAYG is assessed like any wage. Mixed PAYG and ABN income can count together.
HOW YOU’RE PAID
PAYG, ABN or low-doc?
| What changes | PAYG | ABN full-doc | Low-doc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income proof | Payslips | Returns and NOAs | BAS, accountant |
| History | Current job | Often 2 years | Shorter, with ABN/GST |
| Rates | Standard | Standard | Often higher |
Lender policies on trading history and low-doc lending vary and can change.
Check my optionsMY TAX RETURN LOOKS LOW
What income could
a lender use?
You’ve claimed hard, so paper income looks small. Add-backs often lift assessable income substantially without changing your tax.
Many lenders average two years; some use a stronger latest year.
- Net profit for the last two years
- Depreciation and one-off purchases
- Extra super and interest
- How long you’ve had your ABN
YOUR INCOME, AT A GLANCE
How might lenders view it?
$0$500k
Conservative income figure$125,000
If latest year used$135,000
Likely pathFull-doc lenders
Illustration only, not a borrowing assessment. Add-backs accepted and averaging rules vary by lender. Company and trust income is assessed differently. Confirm figures with your accountant.
Check my actual optionsTRADIE SITUATIONS WE SORT OUT
A file we’ve
placed before.
If one of these sounds like you, there’s usually a lender that fits.
“I JUST WENT OUT ON MY OWN”
Under two years, earning well.
We look at low-doc options and lenders that accept a shorter trading history.
Some lenders consider one year, especially if you worked in the same trade before.
Big jobs, quiet months
We match you to lenders comfortable with variable trade income, not ones that want a flat wage.
You don’t always need 20%
LMI, a family guarantee or a first home scheme can bring the purchase forward.
See low deposit loansLow-doc loans can carry a higher rate or LMI. We show the full cost so it’s a considered choice.
Let’s read your income the way a lender will. Before you assume the bank’s “no” is final.
Check my next stepsWHAT YOU’LL NEED TO QUALIFY
Four things most trade
applications come down to.
Variable income invites closer questions. Clean statements and up-to-date returns make them a formality.
Two years or low-doc
Returns and NOAs, or BAS and an accountant’s declaration.
An active ABN
Often held for a set period, GST-registered where it applies.
A tidy credit file
Past issues change which lenders will consider you.
Deposit or guarantor
Savings, equity, a family guarantee or a first home scheme.
WHEN YOU NEED MORE THAN A HOME LOAN
Same broker,
different tool.
We structure your home loan with the whole picture in mind, leaving room for the next ute or tool purchase.
Cashflow lending
Bridge unpaid invoices and keep the business moving.
Asset and equipment
Fund tools, machinery and plant without tying up cash.
Ute and vehicle finance
A structure that suits a trade business.
Builder finance
Home, business, cash flow and assets under one broker.
Want the broader guide to buying on business income?
Explore self-employed loansHOW WE WORK
Advice before
commitment.
We work around site hours, by phone, Zoom or in person.
CONVERSATION
An obligation-free chat
Your business, income and what you’d like to buy.
FINANCIALS
Read your income
Returns, BAS and add-backs, with your accountant if needed.
STRATEGY
Pick the path
Full-doc or low-doc, and lenders that suit trade income.
APPLICATION
Present the file
A well-presented file the lender can say yes to.
SETTLEMENT
See it through
We coordinate settlement and keep you informed.
AND BEYOND
Review as you grow
As your financials improve, we review your rate.
Richard LukeFounder · Ausfirst Lending Group
WHY TRADIES WORK WITH AUSFIRST
We speak
self-employed.
You’re looked after by someone who treats your financial success as his own.
You work directly with Richard Luke, our director, with more than 30 years in Queensland lending. Not a call centre, and not a different voice each time.
Add-backs, BAS, NOAs, ABN age and low-doc policy: we handle these every week and know which lender says yes to which file.
Direct access to RichardSelf-employed specialists2024 Sunshine Coast Business Awards finalist
Talk to a brokerMore about RichardWHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Good people.
Great support.
ExcellentBased on 35 Google reviews
Google review
“I would describe Richard and Ausfirst Lending as friendly, insightful, prompt and diligent. A pleasure to deal with.”
Google review
“Thanks to Richard and Debbie and the team at Ausfirst Lending… They are the gurus of self employed loans. I highly recommend their services.”
Google review
“I received very prompt responses to all of my questions and the team ensured that my application was processed in a timely manner. The service was brilliant!”
Excerpts from client reviews displayed on Ausfirst’s website. These reflect individual experiences.
LET’S CLEAR THINGS UP
Loans for tradies.
Real questions.
The questions tradies ask us most. Every business is different, so we’re happy to talk through the detail.
Ask a questionCan I get a home loan if I work on an ABN?
Yes. Lenders usually want two years of returns and NOAs, or a low-doc option for newer ABNs. The key is presenting your income the way lenders read it.
How long do I need to be self-employed?
Two years is the common benchmark. Some lenders consider one year, and a few look at shorter histories on a low-doc basis.
Why does my tax return make my income look low?
Because you’ve claimed legitimate deductions. Lenders add back depreciation, one-off purchases, extra super and interest, so assessable income is often higher.
Can I get a home loan as an apprentice or a subbie?
Yes. PAYG apprentices are assessed like any wage earner. ABN income is self-employed income, and the right lender can count a mix of both.
The bank already said no. Is that the end of it?
No. A decline usually reflects one lender’s policy, not your ability to repay. A different lender and a better-presented file often gets a yes.
GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER
Find out what you
can actually borrow.
Before you assume the bank’s “no” is the final word, let’s look at your income the way a lender will.
Add-backs and BAS worked through
Lenders that lend to trade businesses
Direct access to Richard
Visit our Caloundra office
Suite 3/74 Bulcock St, Caloundra QLD 4551
Monday–Friday, and by appointment
YOUR FREE CHAT
Tell us about your trade.
Your ABN, how long you’ve traded and what you’d like to buy.
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