Low Doc Home Loans for Self-Employed Borrowers
Low doc home loans are built for self-employed borrowers whose income is real but hard to prove on paper. The problem isn't your earning capacity. It's knowing which lenders offer genuine low doc products and what each one requires. We compare across 40+ lenders to find low doc options others miss. Real rates, real requirements, no vague promises.
Low doc doesn't mean no doc: what you actually need
The old-style "self-declared income" products no longer exist under current lending rules. What lenders offer today are alternative documentation loans. The market still calls them low doc.
These requirements shift from lender to lender. The same borrower can be declined by one and approved by another at a slightly higher rate. Matching your documents to the right lender is where broker expertise matters.
ABN Registration
2+ years is the standard. A handful of specialist lenders accept 12 months, but your options narrow and rates increase.
BAS Statements
2-12 quarters showing business activity and income. Requirements vary by lender.
Accountant's Letter or Declaration
Either a letter from your registered accountant confirming income, or a signed borrower declaration supported by BAS.
Bank Statements
3-6 months of business and personal records showing deposits consistent with your declaration.
Low doc vs full doc home loans: the real trade-offs
If you've been declined for a standard loan, this comparison shows exactly what low doc trades and what you gain in return. Low doc rates are higher, but the gap has narrowed as more lenders enter the space. For many self-employed borrowers, buying years earlier means equity gains that can outweigh the additional interest cost.
| Services | Low doc | Full doc |
|---|---|---|
| Interest rate | 0.5-1.5% above standard | Standard market rates |
| Maximum LVR | Up to 80% (some lenders 85%) | Up to 95% with LMI |
| Income documentation | BAS + accountant's letter | Full tax returns + NOA |
| LMI availability | Not available | Available to reduce deposit |
| Offset & redraw | Available | Available |
| Rate type options | Fixed and variable | Fixed and variable |
| Lender pool | Specialist & non-bank | All lenders incl. major banks |
How low doc rates change by LVR tier
The LVR tier you borrow at changes your rate, lender pool, and total cost. The rate difference between lenders at the same LVR can be bigger than the tier gap itself. Matching your profile to the right lender matters more than chasing the lowest advertised rate.
60% LVR: 40% deposit
The most competitive low doc rates and widest lender choice. Pricing sits closest to full doc at this tier. The strongest position for borrowers without tax returns.
70% LVR: 30% deposit
A moderate rate increase over the 60% tier with strong lender options. The sweet spot for many borrowers: good rates without years of extra saving.
80% LVR: 20% deposit
The highest standard low doc tier. Fewer lenders approve at this level, and rates reflect the increased risk. Several lenders cap low doc at 80% entirely.
Which lenders offer low doc home loans
Specialist non-bank lenders
Lenders like Liberty, Pepper, and La Trobe offer dedicated low doc products with flexible criteria. Rates vary by 0.3-0.5% between them for the same LVR tier.
Credit unions and smaller lenders
Several credit unions offer low doc with competitive rates but cap LVRs lower. Worth exploring if you have a larger deposit and want to keep costs down.
Major bank subsidiaries
A few major bank subsidiaries still offer alt doc products. Stricter criteria, but rates can be lower if you qualify through their documentation requirements.
Lender criteria change regularly
A lender offering strong low doc rates this quarter may tighten next quarter. Broker relationships mean we know who's actively competing for this business right now.
Income verification varies by lender
One lender accepts BAS alone. Another requires an accountant's letter plus 6 months of bank statements. Matching your documentation to the right lender is where broker value shows.
From low doc to full doc: your pathway to better rates
Low doc is not permanent. It's a strategic entry point that gets you into the property market while you build the financial history lenders want for full doc pricing.
Every step moves you toward full doc eligibility and lower rates over time.
01
Assessment
We review your ABN history, income documentation, and deposit to determine which low doc products suit your situation. No hidden fees, no obligation.
02
Lender matching
We match your profile to lenders most likely to approve you at the strongest rate for your LVR tier. You'll see the trade-offs of each option and why we're recommending it.
03
Application and approval
We handle the application and liaise with the lender on documentation and income verification. Low doc applications typically take 2-4 weeks from submission to conditional approval.
04
Build your financial profile
Once settled, focus on lodging tax returns and maintaining clean BAS records. After 2-3 years of complete financials, you become eligible for full doc products. The sooner you enter the market, the sooner you start building equity rather than waiting on the sidelines.
05
Refinance to full doc
We proactively review your situation and help you refinance when the numbers stack up. Many borrowers save 0.5-1% on their rate through this transition. On a $500K loan, that's thousands per year back in your pocket.
What our customers
say about us
Don't just take our word for it. See what hundreds of satisfied clients across Sydney say about their experience with Stryve Finance.
“Nate and Dylan were extremely helpful in helping us secure our new home. They were easy to contact from day one, and answered any questions we had. We felt reassured at all times and are very grateful for their patience with us. I have recommended Stryve to 3 friends now who have all been successful in achieving their goals of purchasing their homes. We are so happy with the service and will definitely keep on recommending Stryve to our family and friends.”
Whitney Tran
Homeowner
“I never had a problem with Dylan. From the start of our journey on mortgage til the very end and even with refinancing, he/they were very helpful, transparent, honest and really keen to help their clients! Highly recommended.”
Cristianne Del Valle
Homeowner
“On behalf of my husband and I, we would like to truly thank Dylan Bertovic for all his assistance in helping us with our new loan - approved in time before our settlement. Dylan worked above and beyond expected. He took the time to explain every step and process with us. Any questions we had, Dylan would go out of his way to ensure they were answered. He made the process stress free and ensured we got the best possible deal. We highly recommend Dylan to all our family and friends.”
Merna Yalda
Homeowner
“Nate is great to work with, very knowledgeable, responsive and genuinely invested in helping me find the right solution. Highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable, competitive and professional brokerage services.”
Julia
Homeowner
“Dylan has not only been a longtime friend, but also the trusted mortgage broker of choice for my family. He answers the phone at all hours, communicates extensively through all steps of a sometimes-complicated process and manages my risk. He has a straight to the point approach which I appreciate. Simply gets the job done, and gets it done very quickly. Thanks for everything Dylan, you're a champion broker and a good mate.”
Christian Barać
Homeowner
“Nate and Dylan were the ultimate professionals in securing a home loan to help us purchase our first home! Following the purchase of our home, they have continued to provide their exceptional service and have been able to secure two rate reductions in six months! Being self-employed wasn't an issue for me as Nate knew the process back-to-front and was able to provide sound advice throughout the application process.”
Justin Tomas
Homeowner
“It was an absolute brilliant experience with Stryve. Our first purchase was with Dylan he was always clear re: the next steps, quick to respond, never tired of questions and went over and above with communication. We went back and used him again for our next investment and the experience was just as wonderful as the first. Stryve also reviews our loans every 6 months to make sure we are getting the best rates on offer. We couldn't ask for more!”
Amber Motii
Homeowner
Frequently asked questions
Find out which low doc lenders suit your situation
We compare your profile against our full lender panel and tell you exactly what's available, what it will cost, and whether low doc is the right path. No hidden fees. No obligation. Most borrowers get a clear answer in one call.
See what you qualify for