Stress-free home loans for self-employed borrowers
We understand that self-employed Australians come from all walks of life. Just because you’ve started your own business, are a sole trader, or a freelancer doesn’t mean your plans to buy a house have to wait. Our home loans for self-employed could help you get ahead so you can focus on growing your business. We can give you the flexibility to apply for a home loan with just six months ABN activity.
Being self-employed shouldn't stop you from owning your home. Enquire online or call our team on 137 377, if you’re a self-employed borrower and looking to get finance to purchase your dream home.
Why Pepper Money?
We're fast: Credit decisions within 2 business days
We're flexible: Multiple loan options, if we can help, we will
We're accessible: We’re here to talk through your situation

Our flexible approach for self-employed borrowers
- Cash-out up to 80% LVR; including for business use
- Borrow up to 85% of the property value for purchases
- Deal directly with a decision-maker
- Unlimited debt consolidation considered, including ATO debts
- We look beyond just your credit score
- Apply with 6 months GST and ABN registration
What’s a flexible credit assessment?
We don’t just look at the black and white boxes on your home loan application. We make the effort to get to know you – the person behind the application. We ask the questions that matter and look to uncover the meaning behind any blips on your credit report, which allows us to make an informed decision and an interest rate based on your ability to repay a loan with us. Interest rates are determined using a range of factors (including your property goals, income and financial details).
It’s our flexible approach that helps more Aussies achieve their dreams of buying their new home.
See what your repayments might look like
This repayment calculator gives you an estimate of what your home loan repayments could be, based on information you have provided in the calculator. The calculator does not take into account loan establishment or application fees, nor government statutory or lender fees. It is to be used as a guide only and does not constitute a quote, pre-qualification, approval for credit or an offer for credit and you should not enter commitments based on it.
Your Loan, Your Rate
Discover our flexible approach to home loans. We look at a range of factors to provide eligible borrowers with an interest rate estimate. Find out where you stand today.
Interest options for the self-employed
Let's crunch those numbers
Our calculators are here to help you along your journey. From working out stamp duty to helping reach those savings targets.
What other self-employed home buyers are asking
There's no point re-inventing the wheel. Here's what other savvy self-employed home buyers are asking us. If you're still stuck for help, then why not check out all of our home loan FAQs.
What supporting documents do I need for a home loan if I'm self-employed?
Full Doc Applications
If you’re running an established business, then you’ll be able to apply for a home loan with full documentation.
This means, you’ll have at least two years’ tax returns and notices of assessments. Applying for a home loan with full documentation allows you to access the same interest rates and LVR requirements as PAYG customers.
Alt Doc Applications
If you’ve recently setup your own venture or don’t have everything available for a Full Doc loan application, then we could still help.
An Alt Doc loan application means you might not be able to access the same high LVRs available to full doc customers, but you can apply for a home loan within 6 months of setting up your business.
Find out more in our Easy Guide to Alt Doc Loans »
Being self-employed doesn't mean that you can't own your home. The big banks can make it difficult for self-employed workers to get a home loan, often requiring them to jump through extra hoops or labelling them as too high-risk. As a non-bank lender, we're here to help those with non-standard incomes – including those with only 6 months of ABN or GST registration.
We take a careful look at both your personal and business cash flow to ensure that you can comfortably make your regular home loan repayments. Depending on the level of documentation that you can provide, self-employed borrowers generally fall into two categories: full doc or alt doc.
If you're self-employed and are looking at applying for a home loan, it can be challenging due to the lack of a fixed income that many lenders require as part of the process. However, non-bank lenders like Pepper Money may still be able to help you with our flexible approach to self-employed home loan options.
Lenders look at your finances, business turnover, and credit history to determine your ability to repay the loan.
Providing evidence of income is important when applying for a self-employed home loan. This typically includes bank statements, ABN registration, and GST documents that will be reviewed to assess your creditworthiness.
Committing to a larger deposit could also increase your chances of securing a self-employed home loan and reduce interest charges.
There are two types of income documentation options available for self-employed borrowers; full documentation (Full Doc) or alternative documentation (Alt Doc).
It could be helpful to provide all the financial documents and income evidence that you have available to help qualify for a full doc home loan. This could put you in a better position to borrow more and potentially secure a more favourable interest rate.
Here are some of the requirements needed to apply for a home loan if you’re self-employed:
For Full Doc:
- Last two years tax returns and notice of assessments
For Alt Doc:
- Evidence of ABN registration for 6 months
- Evidence of GST registration for 6 months
- Declaration of financial position plus one of the following: 6 months business bank statements (inclusive of the last 1 month), 6 months business activity statements (BAS) or Pepper Money accountant's letter.
If you work for yourself or fall under the category of “self-employed”, applying for a home loan can be quite a challenge even with regular income. Unfortunately, many lenders perceive self-employed people as high-risk borrowers. Lenders may need to establish your income, assets, savings, and financial capacity to pay back a loan before considering your application. They may also look at the financial position of your business.
But this does not necessarily mean you cannot qualify for a home loan. When you're self-employed, you might need to provide a little extra documentation and look beyond the big banks for a lending solution. Here are some tips and tricks to help get your loan application approved.
On some of our loans, we offer finance up to 95% of the purchase price, meaning you can start to look at buying a house once you've saved at least 5% of the purchase price. The deposit amount may also depend on the property and area you’re looking at purchasing.
Remember, there can be extra costs involved when buying a house. You’ll need to cover government and legal fees, which can’t be added to your home loan balance.
The interest rate offered, and fees and charges will depend on our assessment of a number of factors at the time of application including:
- The size of your deposit
- Nature of the security property
- Loan to value ratio (LVR)
- Your income
- Credit history
- Any assets you own
- Any liabilities or credit obligations
- Chosen repayment type – paying off interest-only, or principal and interest
- The purpose of the loan – if it’s for an owner-occupier or investment property
To get an indicative interest rate, you can start by using our online borrowing power calculator, or speak to one of our Lending Specialists on 137 377.
Certain Pepper Money fees can be added to your loan balance, while others will need to be paid upfront – fees include establishments or application fees, and risk or mortgage insurance fees. Other smaller fees will be added to your loan each month.
View a summary of our home loan fees.
You’ll also need to pay solicitor fees along with local and state government taxes and levies. These can’t be added to your loan balance and are usually paid upon settlement.
Your Pepper Money Home Loan Journey can take up to six weeks – this is the typical timeframe for a home purchase, however the process may be quicker if all the necessary documentation is provided sooner.
Delays in decisions are often caused by incorrect or missing documentation.
Learn more about Pepper Money Home Loan application process or for more information speak to a Lending Specialist on 137 377.
Our home loan borrowing capacity calculator asks a few easy personal and financial questions to calculate an estimate of how much you may be able to borrow with Pepper Money. After finding out how much you could potentially borrow, you can then either speak to a lending specialist about your situation, or continue on to get an indicative interest rate online.
We’re one of Australia's leading non-bank lenders!
We were established in 2000 to help Australians achieve their financial dreams through providing flexible financial solutions that factor in the ups and downs of real life. Since then, we’ve become one of the largest, most trusted, and award-winning non-bank lenders in Australia and New Zealand.
If you're self-employed, then submit an online enquiry or call our team on 137 377.
The important legal bits
Information and interest rates are correct as of 16 November 2023 and subject to change at any time.
Information provided is factual information only, and is not intended to imply any recommendation about any financial product(s) or constitute tax advice. If you require financial or tax advice you should consult a licenced financial or tax adviser.
All applications are subject to credit assessment, eligibility criteria and lending limits. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply.
*Our interest rates:
Pepper Money variable interest rates range from 6.84%p.a. - 12.19% p.a. (Comparison rates range from 7.02%p.a. - 12.34%p.a.^)
Pepper Money 2 year fixed interest rates range from 7.54%p.a. - 12.89%p.a (Comparison rates range from 7.16%p.a. - 12.45%p.a.^).
The actual interest rate will depend on the borrower’s circumstances and the information verified during the loan application assessment.
^Comparison rate is calculated on a secured loan of $150,000 for a term of 25 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate.
˅An indicative interest rate and estimated repayments are not a formal approval for a loan, so don’t enter any financial commitments based on it. They are a guide only, based on the basic information you provide and the credit score we obtain for the primary application and is not a suggestion or recommendation of any loan product.
+Visa Debit card is issued by Indue Limited ABN 97 087 822 464 and distributed by Pepper Finance Corporation Limited ACN 094 317 647 and/or through Pepper Money accredited mortgage brokers. Refer to the Conditions of Use and Target Market Determination (TMD).