I Didn't Think I Could Get a Loan." Stories From the Self-Employed, Casual & Everyone In Between

Some of my favourite conversations start with, "This is probably a waste of your time, but…"

It almost never is.

So many people on the Central Coast have work lives that don't fit the neat "full-time, same employer for years" picture that lenders were built around. Tradies running their own business. Nurses picking up agency shifts. Hospitality workers on casual rosters. Small business owners in Erina and Gosford who've just come through a tough couple of years. People who've moved up from Sydney and changed jobs to do it.

If you're one of them, this one's for you.

Different income, different lenders

Lenders don't all treat income the same way. For example:

• Self-employed: Some lenders want two years of tax returns. Others may consider one year, or look at alternative documents like BAS statements or an accountant's letter. These alternative options can come with different rates or conditions, and some lenders may require a larger deposit, so we'd weigh up whether it's right for you.
• Casual or contract work: Some lenders want to see a long history in the role; others focus more on your history in the industry.
• New job: If you've changed employers but stayed in the same line of work, some lenders may be more flexible than you'd expect.
• Overtime, allowances and bonuses: How much of this counts can vary a lot between lenders.

My job is to understand these differences and look for lenders on my panel whose policies may fit your real life.

The paperwork (I promise it's manageable)

I know paperwork can feel overwhelming, especially when you're juggling a business and a family. My years as a nurse and midwife made me pretty meticulous with detail, and I'll walk you through exactly what's needed, step by step. No mystery lists, and I'll do my best to avoid last-minute surprise requests.

A little tip: if you're self-employed, get your accountant involved early. Up-to-date tax returns and financials can make a big difference to your options.

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I'll always be upfront with you about what's realistic. Sometimes a loan structure that looks tempting isn't actually in your best interests, and as a broker I'm legally required to put your interests first. That means looking beyond "can we get this approved?" to "is this loan genuinely right for you?"

And sometimes the answer is to build a stronger application first. If that's the case, we'll work out the plan together.

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If you've been assuming home ownership isn't for people with your kind of income, I'd love to challenge that assumption. Let's sit down, look at your situation properly, and find out what your options really are.

General information only. All loans are subject to lender approval, terms and conditions.

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