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Self-employed refinance

Self-employed home loan refinance Australia — without waiting on your accountant forever.

If you run a business, trust, or company and your home loan rate no longer fits, refinancing is possible — but the documentation lane matters as much as the rate. We package full-doc, alt-doc, BAS-only, and streamlined refinance paths across 40+ lenders so you do not lodge the wrong file twice.

  • ✓See whether you fit full-doc, alt-doc, BAS-only, or a streamlined Easy Refinance lane before you pay discharge fees.
  • ✓Compare retention vs external switch with break-even, term-for-term maths, and lender policy — not a comparison-site headline.
  • ✓Melbourne-based broker, Australia-wide files — same human from first call to settlement where possible.
Apply pathwaySelf-employed hub →

Call 0400 77 77 55 · WhatsApp 0400 77 77 55

Self-employed Australian business owner reviewing home loan refinance paperwork at a desk — alt-doc and full-doc pathways, no readable text

Retention quote in writing first — then external compare. Term-for-term, not a silent 30-year reset.

Check my refinance lane

What happens on your first call

Three steps — rate review, evidence lane, retention vs switch.

  1. 1

    Baseline your current loan

    Rate, comparison rate, balance, fixed expiry, offset, and 12-month repayment conduct — we need the real starting point before any switch maths.

  2. 2

    Pick the evidence lane

    Full tax returns, BAS-only, accountant letter, or repayment-track-record refinance — the wrong lane costs weeks. We match structure to lender policy.

  3. 3

    Retention first, then external

    Many files improve with an internal repricing call. If external wins after fees, we lodge with documents aligned — not a folder dump on day one.

Why self-employed refinance is different

Purchase loans and refinance files use the same lenders — but refinance timing often collides with tax lodgement, ATO plans, and loyalty-tax inertia.

Income is not one payslip

Sole traders, Pty Ltd directors, trusts, and partnerships each trigger different document packs. Lenders also shade add-backs differently — presentation beats optimism.

Timing beats panic

Refinancing in October while last year’s return is unlodged is common — and commonly stalled. Alt-doc or Easy Refinance may beat waiting, if policy allows.

Rate is half the decision

Term reset to 30 years, offset portability, cashback clawback, and ATO debts on statements can erase a “0.40% win”. We model the full switch, not the monthly line only.

Lender lanes we compare on your file

Policy moves — we check live criteria against your BAS, returns, and repayment conduct before you lodge.

Often lines up

Full-doc refinance

Two years of personal + business returns and NOAs — best pricing when records are current and income is stable or rising.

Case by case

Alt-doc / BAS-only

When tax returns lag but BAS and bank credits tell a clean story — fewer lenders, but often the right lane for urgent rate relief.

Often lines up

Easy Refinance (track record)

12+ months clean repayments on the existing loan may allow a streamlined refinance without a full income rebuild — LVR and cash-out caps apply.

Read the Easy Refinance pathway →

Easy to trip on

ATO debt & payment plans

Undisclosed tax debts on bank statements are a common decline trigger — disclose early and match lender appetite before you pay switching costs.

ATO tax debt & home loans →

Case by case

Non-bank & second-tier panel

When major-bank policy says no, specialist lenders may accept shorter ABN history or alt-doc — pricing and features trade off differently.

Often lines up

Melbourne & remote Australia

Files are prepared digitally — Melbourne meetings available, but most self-employed refinances lodge with PDF evidence and broker-led lender contact nationwide.

Self-employed

Document checklist before you apply

BAS, tax returns, trust deeds, and liability lists — what Australian lenders typically ask self-employed borrowers to provide.

Quick check

Am I paying too much?

Enter your loan balance and current rate for an indicative saving band — lighter than a full refinance model. Not a quote; book a review when you want retention vs external lenders checked on your file.

Indicative saving band

$98 – $233/mo

Rate band (illustration)
5.85% – 6.20%
Repayment could land around
$3,540 – $3,675/mo

Guides & tools

General information only — your lane is confirmed when we review your file.

Bishnu Adhikari · ACR 538895, auth. under ACL 390261 · Yellow Brick Road · Melbourne & Australia-wide

Self-employed refinance — FAQ

People Also Ask style answers — not personal tax or credit advice.

Can I refinance if I am self-employed in Australia?

Yes — many self-employed borrowers refinance each year. Lenders need verifiable income and clean recent conduct on your existing loan. The path may be full-doc (tax returns), alt-doc (BAS / accountant letter), or a streamlined refinance using repayment history. Approval is never guaranteed; policy and your file determine the lane.

How soon can I refinance after starting a business (ABN 1 year or less)?

Most full-doc lenders want two years of tax returns. Some alt-doc or non-bank lenders may consider shorter trading history with strong BAS, bank credits, and a registered tax agent letter — often from 12 months ABN. Expect fewer lenders and different pricing. We assess honestly before you pay discharge fees.

Can I refinance with only one year of tax returns?

Sometimes, via alt-doc or specialist policy — not via every major bank full-doc path. BAS statements, business bank statements, and an accountant declaration may substitute when returns are not lodged yet. LVR, conduct, and credit file still matter.

What is the Easy Refinance pathway for self-employed borrowers?

Some lenders accept 12+ months of clean repayment history on your current home loan as evidence of serviceability, reducing the need for fresh full tax returns on a straight refinance. Caps usually apply on LVR, cash-out, and loan purpose. See our detailed Easy Refinance article for criteria and limits.

Should I call retention or refinance externally first?

Ask your current lender for a written retention quote first — internal repricing can beat switching once discharge, valuation, and break costs are included. If retention falls short, compare external options term-for-term (not a silent 30-year reset).

Can I refinance if I have ATO tax debt?

Often yes, with the right lender and disclosure — payment plans must be visible and stable on bank statements. Some lenders exit early; others accept with conditions. Hiding ATO debits is worse than disclosing upfront.

Do I need a Melbourne mortgage broker for a self-employed refinance?

No — Australian mortgage broking is national. Azure Home Loans is Melbourne-based with Australia-wide lodgement. Meetings, calls, and document packs work remotely; we compare lenders on your file, not your postcode alone.

What documents will I need to refinance as a sole trader?

Typically: ID, 2 years personal tax returns and NOAs, recent BAS, 3–6 months personal and business bank statements, liabilities list, and current loan statements. Alt-doc paths may shorten the pack — we confirm after a 15-minute review.

Can company directors refinance using company profit?

Lenders usually assess salary plus distributions shown on personal returns, and sometimes retained profits with add-backs — policy varies widely. Low personal wage with high company profit needs a lender that looks through the entity.

Will refinancing trigger a new credit check?

Yes — refinance applications involve a credit enquiry and updated servicing assessment. Avoid new BNPL accounts, credit cards, or personal loans in the 90 days before lodging.

Can I consolidate business debt into my home loan when self-employed?

Sometimes, via cash-out refinance or debt consolidation — full income verification usually applies, and mixing purposes can affect deductibility for investment debt. Confirm tax treatment with your accountant; we focus on credit policy and structure.

What if my last financial year income was lower than the year before?

Two declining years is a red flag for many lenders. If the drop is explainable (one-off event, parental leave, industry dip), document it with your accountant. Waiting for a stronger year may beat lodging into a decline.

Is a bank statement loan the same as alt-doc?

Colloquially, yes — some lenders use business bank statement credits or BAS annualisation instead of full tax returns. It is not “no checks”; it is a different evidence standard with different pricing and LVR caps.

How long does a self-employed refinance take?

Straightforward full-doc refinances often run 4–8 weeks. Alt-doc or specialist files can be similar or longer if valuations or ATO items stall. Easy Refinance lanes can be faster when eligibility is clear — we give a written timeline at the start.

What does it cost to use a mortgage broker for a self-employed refinance?

For standard residential refinance, broker service is typically lender-paid — not an out-of-pocket broker fee for the borrower. You still pay lender, legal, valuation, and discharge costs. We disclose how we are remunerated on request.

Self-employed purchase loans · Service guide · Self-employed hub · Refinancing guide

Who you are dealing with

Self-employed refinance files are packaged by Bishnu Adhikari at Azure Home Loans — evidence lane first, then retention versus switch maths under responsible lending.

Broker
Bishnu Adhikari
Licensing
ACR 538895, auth. under ACL 390261 (Yellow Brick Road)
ABN
77 676 207 131
Contact
0400 77 77 55 · bishnu@azurehomeloans.com.au

How a file usually moves

  1. Step 1

    Enquiry

    Share goals, income type, and timeline — no obligation to apply.

  2. Step 2

    Document plan

    We map what lenders usually need for your file shape before you lodge.

  3. Step 3

    Lender match

    Policy-led comparison across lenders — trade-offs in plain English, not a rate race.

  4. Step 4

    Lodge when ready

    You decide whether to apply. Responsible lending assessment still applies.

Responsible lending

Credit assistance is subject to assessment, verification, and lender policy. We do not guarantee approval, savings, eligibility for any scheme, or a “best rate”. General information on this site is not personal credit advice — about the broker · apply pathway.

On a high rate while your accountant is still on last year’s return?

Send your structure (sole trader / company / trust), current rate, balance, and rough ABN length — we reply business days with the lane worth pursuing first.

Speak to a brokerWhatsApp

Prefer the phone? 0400 77 77 55 — direct line to Bishnu Adhikari.

Important information

The information on this website is general in nature only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs, and you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.

Credit assistance and lending are subject to lender assessment, terms, conditions, fees, charges, and eligibility criteria. A loan product that suits one borrower may not suit another.

You should consider obtaining independent legal, financial, and taxation advice before making decisions about credit or property.

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