Being self-employed should not mean being treated as high risk. If a bank has said no, the problem is usually their policy, not you.
Source: ABS; Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (2024-25).
Australian businesses by size
Share by number of employees
Source: ABS; ASBFEO
We speak lender, and we speak business
The trick with self-employed lending is knowing which lenders assess your income type most generously, and how to present it.
Depreciation, one-off expenses, extra super and interest on refinanced debt can often be added back to your income. That alone can change your borrowing power dramatically.
Full-doc loans
Two years of financials, treated much like a PAYG borrower.
Low-doc options
BAS statements or an accountant’s declaration when financials are not current.
Income add-backs
Depreciation and one-off costs added back to lift your borrowing power.
Common questions
How many years of financials do I need?
With two years of returns many lenders treat you much like a PAYG borrower. Low-doc options exist if your financials are not yet up to date.
Can I borrow with only one year of trading?
Some lenders accept BAS statements or an accountant’s declaration. We know which ones, and what rate trade-off applies.
What income can be added back?
Depreciation, one-off expenses, extra superannuation and interest on debts being refinanced can often be added back, lifting your borrowing power.
Let’s start the chat
A no-obligation conversation. We compare more than 20 lenders and tell you honestly what is achievable for you.
Cyril Finance Group is a trading name of Cyril Marketing Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Keryakes Family Trust (ABN 63 890 064 995). Sherif Keryakes is Credit Representative 579481 of Finsure Finance and Insurance Pty Ltd (Australian Credit Licence 384704). This information is general only and does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs.