Application Checklist

Why This Checklist Matters

Embarking on the journey to homeownership is exciting, but the home loan application process can be daunting. Having a clear understanding of the required documents not only accelerates the approval process but also demonstrates your preparedness for lenders.

1. Personal Identification

At Stryve Finance, we make your home loan journey smoother by helping you get your documents right from day one, starting with verifying your identity.

As your trusted mortgage broker, we know how frustrating delays can be. That’s why we help you prepare a 100-point ID checklist early on, ensuring you meet all lender and compliance requirements upfront.

As part of Australia’s anti-money laundering requirements, lenders are obligated to follow KYC (Know Your Customer) rules to verify your identity. A process overseen by AUSTRAC, the national financial intelligence agency. Most lenders use the 100-point ID system, so you’ll need to provide at least one primary document, and possibly a secondary document, to meet the requirement.

Joint Applications or Guarantors

If you're applying with a partner, family member, or guarantor, each person must submit their identification documents. We’ll guide every party involved to avoid delays or mismatched submissions.

Common Issues We See at Stryve

We’ve helped hundreds of Australians get approved, and here are some common issues we help you avoid:

• Expired IDs
• Names that don’t match between documents
• Missing proof of address
• Forgetting to reach 100 points

With Stryve Finance on your side, we review and flag any inconsistencies before your lender ever sees them.

Stryve Tip, The earlier we receive your ID documents, the sooner we can pre-check your file for issues. Our clients who submit ID early have the fastest approval times.” - Stryve Finance Broker Team.

ID verification is non-negotiable. Submitting incomplete or mismatched identification is one of the most common causes of processing delays. Let Stryve Finance take care of the admin stress. So you can focus on the big picture: buying your home

2. Proof of Income

At Stryve Finance, one of the most important steps we take when preparing your home loan application is verifying your income. Suppose you're running your own business or freelancing full-time. In that case we'll show you how to structure your finances to improve your chances of approval, especially for those exploring lending options as a self-employed applicant.

The key? Tailor the document to your employment type so we avoid any back-and-forth with the lender. Whether you're full-time, self-employed, or working casually, we guide you every step of the way.

Lenders use your income documents to calculate your:

• Borrowing capacity
• Repayment ability
• Risk profile (especially for higher LVR loans)

If your documents are inconsistent, outdated, or missing, your loan approval could be delayed or even declined.

Required Income Documents by Employment Type

Whether you're salaried, self-employed, or juggling multiple gigs, our job is to match your income profile to the lender that sees its value. Below is a breakdown of exactly what documents you’ll need, depending on how you earn.

1. PAYG Employees (Full-Time / Part-Time / Casual)

If you work for an employer and receive a regular wage, Provide:

• 2 most recent payslips(showing YTD earnings)
• Most recent ATO Income Statement(via MyGov)
• An Employment contract or HR letter confirming:
  • Job title
  • Employment type
  • Income
  • Start date

Stryve Tip: If you work multiple jobs or earn commissions/bonuses, include documentation for all sources

2. Self-Employed or Sole Traders

Running your own business? Lenders require more financial history.

Provide:

• Personal tax returns (last 2 years)
• Business tax returns (last 2 years)
• ATO Notices of Assessment
• Profit and Loss Statements
• BAS Statements (some lenders ask for latest 2 quarters)

Stryve Tip: We help you identify which lenders accept alternative documentation if your financials are complex.

3. Contractors, Casuals and Gig Workers

For non-permanent roles or fluctuating income:

Provide:

• 3–6 months of payslips or invoices
• Bank statements showing deposits
• Signed contracts or ABN registration (if applicable)
• Tax returns or BAS if self-invoicing

Many lenders average your income over 6–12 months. At Stryve, we help you present the strongest possible version of your income profile.

4. Other Income Sources

If you receive income beyond employment:

Examples:

• Rental income: Lease agreement + property manager statement
• Centrelink benefits: Centrelink letter
• Child support payments: Court order or bank evidence
• Investment income: Dividend or interest statements

Stryve Tip: Not all income types are treated equally. We’ll let you know which income sources your chosen lender will count and which ones they won’t.

Common Income-Related Mistakes (We Help You Avoid)

• Inconsistent figures between payslips and tax returns
• Using outdated financials
• Omitting irregular or bonus income
• Submitting scanned copies that are unreadable

At Stryve Finance, we precheck all income documents against lender policy to ensure your application is tight from day one.

Our brokers don’t just collect documents. We strategically package your income profile to match the lender’s credit appetite. It increases your chance of approval and can even improve your interest rate options

3. Assets and Liabilities

We help you present a clear, lender-friendly picture of your net worth by organising your assets and liabilities.

This part of the application shows lenders that you can manage debt responsibly, and it directly impacts your borrowing power, risk profile, and loan servicing ability.

A well-documented financial position is especially important if you’re planning to use equity to fund a renovation or expand your portfolio.

When assessing your home loan application, lenders calculate your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI) and Net Asset Position. These help them determine the following:

• Whether you can repay the loan
• How much buffer do you have (in case of emergencies)
• Whether you’re financially overcommitted

A strong assets and liabilities section can offset a lower income or deposit.

Lenders assess credit cards based on the limit, not the balance. Consider reducing your limit before applying.

Joint Liabilities & Guarantees

If you’re co-signing a loan or have joint accounts, disclose them. Even if another person is making the repayments, it may still affect your application.

At Stryve Finance, we’ll help you clarify these in your application so they’re accurately represented without impacting your approval chances.

Common Mistakes We Help You Avoid

• Forgetting to disclose dormant or unused credit cards
• Understating car loan repayments
• Not listing HECS/HELP or BNPL obligations
• Submitting outdated or inconsistent statements

Our Stryve brokers carefully review your financial documents to ensure they reflect the full and accurate picture that lenders expect, with no surprises.

A high-income borrower with heavy debts may qualify for less than a moderate-income borrower with no liabilities and solid savings. That’s why we guide you to maximise assets and minimise liabilities before submission.

4. Living Expenses

Your income tells lenders how much you earn but your living expenses reveal what you can actually afford. At Stryve Finance, we help you calculate and document your expenses realistically so lenders see a true picture of your financial lifestyle.

Failing to account for expenses accurately is one of the most common reasons for home loan delays or declines. We make sure that doesn't happen to you.

Lenders must comply with responsible lending laws and assess whether they can genuinely afford the loan repayments. To do this, they:

• Compare your stated expenses to national benchmarks like HEM (Household Expenditure Measure)
• Review your bank statements to check if your spending aligns with what you declare
• Stress-test your application under higher interest rate scenarios

What You’ll Need to Disclose

Basic Living Costs

These are essential, recurring expenses:

Financial Commitments

These include fixed or discretionary expenses that impact your financial capacity:

Stryve Tip: If you’re planning to cut back on expenses post-settlement (e.g. cancelling subscriptions), we can note this in your broker submission for context, but lenders still rely on your actual spending history.

How to Document Expenses

Lenders require clear documentation that reflects your actual spending habits to support your declared living expenses. Here’s what you’ll need to collect and how to prepare it properly:

• Bank Statements: Provide the last 3 months for your main transaction accounts
• Credit Card Statements: Show how you spend and repay
• Expense Tracker (optional): Use a spreadsheet or budgeting app to list monthly spending
• Our Support: We offer a free living expenses template to help you calculate totals across categories

We also help you align your spending and financial commitments if you're preparing for a large purchase, such as a vehicle or equipment.

Even small errors in your declared expenses can shrink your borrowing capacity by tens of thousands. Lenders are meticulous but with Stryve in your corner, your file is watertight before it ever reaches the credit assessor

5. Additional Documents

Beyond the standard forms of ID, income, and expense verification, lenders may require extra documentation depending on your loan type, financial situation, or property details.

If you're purchasing an investment property, make sure you include rental appraisals or lease agreements, as these can support your application.

Depending on your situation, here’s what else you might be asked to provide:

Property Related Documents

We work directly with your conveyancer or agent to collect these faster and avoid delays.

Special Circumstances

If you’re a first-time buyer, you may be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant, a government initiative that offers financial support for eligible purchases or new builds.

Other Financial Documents

Many applicants fail to realise that “minor” documents can hold up major approvals. Lenders require a complete and coherent application file before sending it to credit assessment

The best applications are the ones with no missing pieces. We aim to preempt lender questions by giving them everything upfront, clearly labelled and logically presented.” - Stryve Finance Broker Team

That’s why Stryve Finance prepares your file like a lender would, checking for every likely request in advance.

Timeline: When to Prepare Each Document

One of the most overlooked parts of the home loan process is when to prepare each document, not just what to prepare. At Stryve Finance, we work with our clients early to structure a realistic timeline so nothing gets rushed or missed during the most critical stages of your application.

Here’s a simple breakdown of what to do and when to do it to meet your lender’s expectations.

1. 3 Months Before: Credit Clean-Up & Expense Review

• Check your credit report via Equifax or MyCreditFile and fix any errors
• Pay down outstanding debts or reduce credit limits (especially unused cards)
• Track your living expenses to build a realistic monthly budget
• Avoid applying for new credit (BNPL, car finance, etc.)

Before applying, it’s smart to review your credit report and fix any inaccuracies. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) explains your rights and how to access your report for free.

Lenders often look at your spending behaviour over a 3-month window. Start early and be intentional.

2. 1 Month Before: Document Collection

• Gather your ID documents, payslips, tax returns, and bank statements
• Request statements for liabilities (credit cards, loans, HECS)
• Download utility bills or other proof of address
• If self-employed, prepare your financials and BAS
• Collect any property-related documents (e.g. contract of sale, building plans)

We provide a secure document portal so you can upload everything in one place.

3. 1 Week Before: Broker Review & File Packaging

• Meet with your Stryve Finance broker to go over all documents
• Fix or update anything missing, outdated, or unclear
• Finalise your living expenses worksheet
• We double-check everything against lender criteria before submission
• If you’re applying with a partner or guarantor, ensure their documents are also reviewed

This is your “pre-flight check”. We will not let your file leave the ground unless it is 100% ready.

Timing is everything. By preparing early and reviewing thoroughly, your application flows through lender systems faster with fewer questions, fewer reworks, and greater confidence from credit assessors.

Tips from Stryve Finance

At Stryve Finance, we don’t just process applications. We help you strategically position yourself for success. With years of experience and thousands of applications reviewed, we know exactly what lenders are looking for and what mistakes slow borrowers down.

Are you thinking about switching lenders to get a better rate or reduce repayments? Talk to us first refinancing the right way can save you thousands

Here are some practical, experience-based tips to give your home loan application the best possible shot

1. Start with a Pre-Approval

Getting pre-approved shows you’re financially prepared and gives you a clear idea of your borrowing power. It also helps avoid heartbreak from falling in love with a property outside your budget.

2. Be 100% Transparent

Lenders hate surprises. Disclose everything upfront even if you’re unsure whether it’s relevant. That includes:

• Side income or freelance work
• BNPL accounts
• Past credit issues or defaults
• Child support or spousal maintenance

We help you document sensitive items in a way that’s honest, compliant, and lender-friendly.

3. Don’t Switch Jobs Right Before Applying

Avoid changing employers during the pre-approval or settlement phase unless absolutely necessary. Lenders look for income stability, and a new role, even with better pay, can trigger additional checks or delays.

4. Watch Your Accounts Before Submission

Lenders often request 3 months of bank statements and they’ll scan every transaction.

Avoid large, unexplained transfers, gambling transactions, or spikes in discretionary spending right before applying.

5. Use a Broker Who Understands Strategy

Not all brokers are created equal. At Stryve Finance, we don’t just “find you a loan” but we:

• Match you with the right lender for your income structure and goals
• Package your application to align with that lender’s credit policies
• Coach you through the process and handle all communication

We don’t submit files until they’re bulletproof. It’s one of the reasons our clients experience faster approvals and better outcomes.” - Stryve Broker Team

6. Stay Engaged Post-Submission

After your application is submitted, don’t go radio silent. We might need:

• Updated documents (e.g. payslip, bank statement)
• Clarifications or signatures
• ID verifications or supporting letters

We’ll keep you in the loop, but fast responses on your end can shave days off your approval time.

Final Word from Stryve Finance

Think of your mortgage broker as your co-pilot. Someone who’s been through the flight path hundreds of times. We’re here to anticipate turbulence, avoid dead ends, and get you to your destination smoothly and confidently.

We are committed to ensuring the privacy and security of your personal information. As a Credit Representative of Finconnect (Australia) Pty Ltd, a member of the Common wealth Bank Group of companies, we are bound by the Group’s strict Privacy Policy. Your trust is important to us and so is protecting your data every step of the way.

Ready to take the next step? Reach out to the Stryve Finance team today and let’s get your application ready to win.