Self-employed Finance

Self-employed Finance Jessica and Santo form a powerhouse team dedicated to supporting self-employed Australians in achieving their financial goals.

Welcome to Self-Employed Finance, where we specialise in helping self-employed Australians secure home loans—without the hassle of traditional tax return requirements. With over 20 years of experience each in the finance industry and self-employment, they bring a unique blend of expertise and insight to every client interaction. As Director and Mortgage & Finance Broker, Jessica specialises in sec

uring home loans for self-employed individuals, offering tailored solutions using alternative income verification methods like bank statements, BAS, and accountant declarations. Her deep industry knowledge and personal approach make her a trusted advocate for her clients. Santo, as Broker Support Manager, complements Jessica's work by providing invaluable behind-the-scenes support. Drawing on his own experience of building several businesses and property portfolio, Santo understands the unique challenges self-employed clients face. His expertise in alternative lending solutions ensures a seamless process for Jessica's clients, while his collaborative efforts make their services exceptionally effective.

Your bank knows you can’t leave. That’s why your rate hasn’t moved.Here’s the quiet thing happening across self-employed...
04/05/2026

Your bank knows you can’t leave. That’s why your rate hasn’t moved.

Here’s the quiet thing happening across self-employed refinances right now.

You took your loan in 2019, 2020, 2021. Rates were low.

Life was different. Now you’re sitting on 6%+ and you go to refinance — and the new lender’s stress test (at the current rate + 3%) says you don’t qualify.

So you can’t switch. Your existing bank knows it. And there’s zero pressure on them to give you a competitive rate.

That’s mortgage prison. And it’s costing self-employed borrowers thousands a year right now.

Here’s the part most people don’t know: there are real, legitimate ways out — even when the major bank stress test says no. Specific rules apply on like-for-like refinances.

Different lenders have different buffers. Non-bank panels often clear borrowers the majors won’t touch, at rates that are genuinely competitive.

But the door only opens for the right borrower with the right lender. There’s no point quoting the rules if they don’t apply to your loan.

If your rate hasn’t been reviewed in two years and your bank’s “best they can do” feels insulting — find out whether you’re actually stuck, or just talking to the wrong lender.

Check your eligibility in 60 seconds → sefinance.au/landing/check-my-eligibility

Same income. Same deposit. Same property. Bank A says no, Bank B says yes. That’s not a glitch — it’s how the market act...
01/05/2026

Same income. Same deposit. Same property. Bank A says no, Bank B says yes. That’s not a glitch — it’s how the market actually works in 2026.

Two things are happening right now that almost no one is explaining to self-employed borrowers:

APRA still has the major banks stress-testing your loan at 3% above the actual rate. Real rate around 6%, you’re being assessed at 9%+.

From February 2026, the major banks are capped at issuing no more than 20% of their new loans at a debt-to-income ratio of 6× or higher. Self-employed borrowers hit this cap faster because of how income flows through companies, trusts, and retained profits.

Translation: the bank can already be “full” for the month before you’ve even applied.

The bit they don’t tell you — non-bank lenders aren’t bound by that cap. They’re regulated, they assess properly, and for the right borrower they’re often the difference between a no and a 30-day approval.

If you’ve been knocked back recently and the reason felt vague — “policy,” “income type,” “DTI” — it’s worth a second look at a different panel.

Check your eligibility in 60 seconds → sefinance.au/landing/check-my-eligibility

Your accountant is doing their job. Your bank is doing theirs. And the two jobs are quietly killing your borrowing power...
29/04/2026

Your accountant is doing their job. Your bank is doing theirs. And the two jobs are quietly killing your borrowing power.

Here’s the trap nobody explains.

Your accountant’s whole purpose is to legally minimise your taxable income — depreciation, vehicle, home office, super, one-offs. All valid. All cutting what you pay in tax.
But the bank doesn’t see your business. They see your Notice of Assessment.

So a business turning over $180k cash shows $80k on the NOA. The bank treats you like an $80k earner. With APRA’s 3% buffer pushing the assessment rate above 9%, the maths stops working long before your real cash flow does.

Here’s the bit nobody tells you: a different lender, looking at the same borrower, can read that income completely differently. Add-backs, BAS-based assessment, retained profits, accountant declarations — these aren’t loopholes.

They’re standard policy at the right lenders.

The fix isn’t earning more. It’s being read properly.

If your last home loan conversation ended with “you don’t earn enough” and you know that’s not the full picture — it probably isn’t.

Check your eligibility in 60 seconds → sefinance.au/landing/check-my-eligibility

“You’ll need two years of financials.”If you’re self-employed and you’ve heard that line, the bank told you their rule —...
28/04/2026

“You’ll need two years of financials.”

If you’re self-employed and you’ve heard that line, the bank told you their rule — not the market’s.

I had a client recently who’d been told to “come back next year.” 14 months on their ABN, 12 years in the same trade as a PAYG before that. The major bank passed.

We had them approved in under 6 weeks with a lender that read the full story — and there are more lenders willing to do that than most people think.

The catch is they don’t all use the same yardstick. Some want 12 months of ABN history. Some will use BAS. Some take an accountant’s declaration. The right one for you depends on your numbers, your structure, and how recently you went out on your own.

If you’ve been told to wait — find out what’s actually possible before you do.

Check your eligibility in 60 seconds → sefinance.au/landing/check-my-eligibility

21/04/2026

Barossa Mobile Automotive has been servicing us for a few years now and he’s always punctual, extremely proficient and knowledgeable on the vehicles (helps he owns a staria too 🤣) he services our personal vehicles as well.

He comes to you and his pricing is exceptional.

Give him a message for all your vehicle needs for north of Adelaide area. If you’re not from the area he can arrange to meet you at locations that suit both of you.

11/09/2025

Another 10 years helping more clients.

We just ticked over 10 years helping self-employed business owners with their finance!

That’s not just a milestone — it’s a reminder of the thousands of deals, hundreds of lender conversations, countless late nights, and the quiet wins that don’t make headlines but change lives.

We’ve seen policy shifts, rate hikes, lender exits, and economic curveballs. But through all of it, we’ve stayed laser-focused on one thing: getting great outcomes for self-employed business owners.

Because when you're running a business, your income doesn't always fit neatly into a bank box. We've had to fight for clients. Get creative. Push back.

Educate lenders. And sometimes, build the case that no one else would.

10 years on, we’re still here because we know our stuff — and we back our clients every step of the way.

Appreciate all the trust, the referrals, and the real conversations over the years. Here's to the next decade of doing the work that matters.

If you’re self-employed and feeling stuck with finance, just know: you’ve got options — and we know how to find them.

👉 What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced getting finance as a business owner?

10/09/2025

Self-Employed and Planning to Borrow in 2025? Here’s What You Really Need.

If you're a business owner, contractor or self-employed professional gearing up to apply for a home loan, let us be blunt:

The quality of your application will make or break your outcome.

Why? Because banks don’t love grey areas — and self-employed income is full of them.

So, what does a strong self-employed loan application actually look like in 2025?

Here’s what we help our clients prepare at SE Finance – Self-Employed Finance:

✅ 2023–24 full-year financials
✅ Personal & business tax returns
✅ BAS statements (last 4 quarters)
✅ ATO income statements or portal access
✅ Profit-and-loss + balance sheet
✅ Business structure & ownership summary
✅ List of liabilities (e.g. car loans, business debt)
✅ Accountant’s letter (when needed)
✅ Breakdown of personal living expenses

But more importantly — presentation matters.
It’s not about ticking boxes. It’s about telling your story in a way that makes sense to a credit assessor.

📌 Clear separation of business and personal expenses
📌 Explanations of outliers (COVID years, one-offs)
📌 Strong serviceability supported by legitimate addbacks

This is where a specialist broker makes all the difference.

At SE Finance, we don’t just lodge paperwork — we strategically package your application to maximise your approval chances and support your long-term financial goals.

Because if you're self-employed, your loan isn't just about getting the keys.
It's about backing your business journey.

10/09/2025

Being self-employed shouldn't mean jumping through hoops just to get a home loan. But for years, that’s exactly what it’s felt like. Not because self-employed Aussies aren’t earning enough — but because the traditional lending system hasn’t kept up with how modern businesses operate.

Your income might be seasonal. You might invoice in chunks. Or maybe you’ve only recently gone out on your own. And yet… you’re still running a strong, profitable business.

In 2025, things are shifting. Lenders are (finally) starting to recognise that a payslip isn’t the only way to prove income — and that’s where Alt Doc loans come in.

Instead of relying on two years of tax returns and group certificates, Alt Doc loans allow you to verify income using:

• Business Activity Statements (BAS)

• 6–12 months of business bank statements

• An accountant’s letter confirming your income

It’s not about lowering the bar — it’s about smarter assessment. For business owners, that can mean access to real lending options without trying to fit into the PAYG mould.

So what can you access?

• Variable rate home loans

• Refinancing options

• Investment loans

• Even loans for recently self-employed applicants

At SE Finance – Self-Employed Finance, we help clients structure their application to match how they really earn — not just what a lender “expects” to see.

Here’s how we help you get loan-ready:

Get your documents in order – BAS, bank statements, accountant letters. The cleaner your paperwork, the smoother the process.

Know your numbers – Understand your Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) and how it affects borrowing power and costs like LMI.

Start early – Don’t wait until you’re under pressure. A 15-minute chat now can save weeks of back and forth later.

Being self-employed should be a strength, not a stumbling block. You’re running a business, managing cash flow, and growing something real. You just need a loan strategy that reflects that.

At SE Finance, that’s exactly what we do.

Got questions about getting loan-ready in 2025? Send us a message — we’re always happy to help.

21/08/2025

Just because the bank says no… doesn’t mean you can’t get finance.

I’ve lost count of how many self-employed clients have come to me after being declined by their bank — and nearly gave up on buying property altogether.

Here’s the thing:
They weren’t uncreditworthy.
They just didn’t fit the neat little boxes the bank wanted them to tick.

✅ Strong income
✅ Solid business
✅ Growing pipeline
❌ But no two years of matching tax returns
❌ Or inconsistent income on paper
❌ Or no property to use as security

Sound familiar?

Here’s what the banks don’t tell you: there are other options — you just need someone who knows where to look.

As brokers, we’re not tied to one lender.
We match your scenario to lenders who understand self-employed cash flow, alt-doc lending, company structures, and the reality that your income doesn’t come with a payslip every fortnight.

One example from this year:
A client running a construction business wanted to buy a commercial warehouse.

Great turnover. BAS up to date. No issues with serviceability.
But he’d only been trading under a new ABN for 16 months. The bank knocked him back.

We built the case using interim financials, BAS statements, and accountant declarations — and placed it with a lender that understood how to assess the real story.

✅ Approved.
✅ Settled.
✅ Property secured.

If you’re self-employed and looking at property — don’t assume a bank decline is the end of the road.

You just need someone who knows how to translate your business story into finance language.

That’s what we do.

21/08/2025

I’ve learned there’s a big difference between buying a car personally and buying one through your business.

When I first went self-employed, I financed my work vehicle the same way I always had — personal car loan, no strategy, no structure.

A few years (and a better accountant) later, I switched to using a Chattel Mortgage — and the difference to my cash flow and tax position was huge.

With a Chattel Mortgage:

I owned the vehicle from day one

I claimed the GST back upfront through my BAS

My monthly repayments were lower thanks to a balloon

And I could claim interest and depreciation come tax time

Best part? Fixed repayments and no GST on those repayments — so I could actually plan ahead without nasty surprises.

This setup isn’t right for everyone. But if you’re:

Self-employed

Using the vehicle mainly for business

And registered for GST under the cash accounting method…

…it’s definitely worth exploring.

Too many business owners I speak with are still using personal finance for business assets — and missing out on the benefits.

Lesson learned: structure matters.

Have you looked at how your finance is set up lately?

20/08/2025

Why do so many self-employed business owners hesitate to seek finance—whether it's for a refinance or buying a home?

After 15+ years working with business owners across Australia, I’ve seen a consistent pattern.

Here are the 3 most common reasons they delay or avoid finance altogether—even when it's in their best interest:

1. “My income’s too messy for the banks.”

Self-employed income doesn’t fit neatly into a PAYG box—and most business owners assume that makes them unlendable. But lenders are evolving. With the right guidance, there are options—whether it’s through full doc, alt doc, or even specialised lenders who understand BAS and trading patterns.

2. “I don’t want to open the can of worms.”

Let’s be honest—many business owners are time-poor and overwhelmed. The idea of pulling financials, explaining fluctuations, or even just facing their numbers can feel like too much. But avoiding it often costs more in the long run—especially if you’re stuck with an outdated loan or missing out on opportunities.

3. “I’ll do it when the business is in better shape.”

Here’s the trap: waiting for the perfect moment. But the truth is, business is rarely predictable. Lenders don’t expect perfection—they want a clear story, steady cash flow, and a strategy. Waiting could mean missing the boat on better rates, improved cashflow, or investment opportunities.

I've walked this path myself—both as a borrower and a broker.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: The earlier you get clear on your finance position, the more power you have to act strategically.

Are you putting off finance because of one of these reasons?

Let me know—curious to hear your thoughts.

Address

Norwood, SA

Telephone

+61883449933

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