Finding a home loan when you don’t fit the “standard” 9-to-5 mould can feel like an uphill battle with the major banks. Whether you’re a contractor, on probation, or recently self-employed, the right strategy often turns a “no” into a “yes”. Our brokers know the lender policies that focus on your industry experience and true earning capacity — not just your job title.
We help people in every kind of unusual employment:
- ✅ On maternity leave
- ✅ Casually employed
- ✅ Recently self-employed
- ✅ Working as a contractor
- ✅ On probation in a new job
- ✅ Working multiple or part-time jobs
Are You Eligible For An Unusual Employment Loan?
Many Aussies assume a non-standard job means an automatic “no” from the banks. It doesn’t. The big banks prefer “set and forget” PAYG applicants, but the Australian mortgage market is fiercely competitive — and plenty of lenders actively want borrowers who fall outside the standard box. You just need the right strategy and a broker who knows the grey areas of bank policy.
How lenders view your application
Standard loans focus on stability and history. For unusual employment, lenders look for income consistency instead — evidence that your situation is a choice, not a risk. We build your application around your true earning capacity rather than a single payslip.
The three pillars of eligibility
- Industry experience: have you worked in this field for two years or more?
- Income proof: can you show consistent bank deposits or a solid contract?
- Deposit size (LVR): a larger deposit often offsets “employment risk” in a lender’s eyes.
How the main employment types stack up
Every lender sets its own policy, so treat these as a general guide only (as at August 2026) — the details vary by lender:
- Casual: most lenders want around 6 months in the role, though some will consider a shorter history if your income is consistent. Regular hours and a steady year-to-date figure on your payslip are what count.
- Contractor: a current contract plus 3–12 months of history in the same line of work usually does it. Lenders like to see contract renewals or a track record of rolling from one contract to the next.
- Probation: some lenders will approve from day one of a new job if you can show 2+ years in the same industry. A CV proving career continuity does a lot of heavy lifting here.
- Recently self-employed: most lenders want 1–2 years of tax returns, but low-doc options can use BAS statements, bank statements, or an accountant’s letter instead.
- Maternity leave: many lenders will assess your return-to-work salary rather than your paid parental leave, provided you have a confirmed return date from your employer.
- Multiple jobs: lenders look for stability of your total income across all employers — typically 6–12 months of history in each role.
Why the right broker matters
A bank manager only knows their own rigid rules. Our team has handled thousands of complex cases across 30+ banks and lenders, so we know who takes 100% of your overtime, who ignores probation, and who works with fresh ABNs. We match you with a lender likely to say “yes” the first time — because every declined application leaves a mark on your credit file.
And because the lender pays us, you don’t. It’s how we’ve kept a 97% loan approval rate across the applications we process, backed by 2,400+ five-star Google reviews.
How To Boost Your Approval Odds
Getting a “yes” on a non-traditional application takes more than a good deposit. Lenders are watching debt-to-income ratios closely, so your file needs to be airtight.
Clean up your debt-to-income ratio
- Consolidate small debts: rolling credit cards and personal loans into one payment simplifies your serviceability and shows you’re in control.
- Close unused credit limits: even an empty credit card counts as potential debt. Closing cards you don’t use can immediately lift your borrowing power.
Audit your credit file early
- Fix errors: check your report for enquiry errors or double-listed defaults — correcting them can lift your score meaningfully within weeks.
- Limit new applications: every hard credit check dents your score temporarily. Skip the car loan and buy-now-pay-later sign-ups before your mortgage.
Hunter Galloway tip: you’re entitled to a free credit report every 12 months in Australia. Use it before you start house hunting.
Master your income documentation
Some lenders “shade” (discount) unusual income like bonuses or overtime — often by around 20%. The fix is overwhelming evidence:
- The YTD strategy: your year-to-date figure on a recent payslip proves overtime and bonuses are consistent, not one-off.
- Industry continuity: on probation? A CV showing 2+ years in the same industry proves career stability despite the new job.
- Bank statements vs tax returns: for the recently self-employed, 12 months of bank statements can sometimes stand in for two years of tax returns — policy varies by lender.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a home loan while I’m still on probation?
Yes. Many banks want you to pass probation first, but some lenders will approve from day one of a new job if you have a solid history in the same industry.
How long do I need to be in a casual job to buy a house?
Most lenders prefer 6 to 12 months, but some specialist lenders will consider casual income after a shorter period of consistent history. It varies by lender.
Does maternity leave count as income for a home loan?
Many lenders will assess your return-to-work salary rather than your paid parental leave, provided you have a confirmed return date from your employer.
Can I use overtime and bonuses to increase my borrowing power?
Absolutely. Some banks shade this income, but others will take 100% of your year-to-date earnings into account. The right lender makes a real difference here.
What is a low-doc loan for the recently self-employed?
Low-doc loans let self-employed Aussies with less than two years of tax returns prove income through BAS statements, bank statements, or an accountant’s letter.
Are interest rates higher for unusual employment loans?
Not necessarily. If you meet a lender’s specific policy, you can access the same competitive rates as a full-time PAYG employee.
Ready To Get Your Home Loan Sorted?
Unlike one-person broker operations, Hunter Galloway has an entire team of experts dedicated to making your home loan journey as simple as possible — and we respond within 4 business hours.
Call us on 1300 088 065, or book a free assessment online to see how we can help.
