Finance · Self-employed
Self-employed lending, where the income story is believed
Low-doc and alt-doc options, accountant-prepared financials and ABN trading history — our deepest area of practice.
as at 15 November 2026
General information only and not credit assistance. Estimates are not an offer, quote or approval. Lending is subject to lender approval, terms, fees and charges. Next Step Financing Pty Ltd (ABN 77 680 857 416, Australian Credit Licence 384704, Credit Representative 563367).
Part of the IR Property Group one-roof team
Separate businesses. One roof. One plan.
Who it suits
Sole traders, company directors, contractors and partners whose taxable income understates what the business actually generates — often because of legitimate deductions, distributions or retained earnings.
Full-doc lending assesses your tax return. That can work against a business owner whose taxable income is deliberately modest. Alt-doc and low-doc options assess the business more broadly: BAS, bank statements, accountant letters and ABN trading history.
It is policy-driven work. The same set of financials can produce very different outcomes across lenders, which is why this is where a broker earns the fee.
What lenders look at
- ABN and GST registration history
- BAS lodgments over 12 to 24 months
- Accountant-prepared financials
- Business transaction account statements
How it works
- 01
Income assessment
Which evidence fits: full-doc, alt-doc or low-doc, and the lender policies that accept it.
- 02
Business verification
ABN history, GST registration and BAS, plus an accountant's letter where policy allows.
- 03
Application
One document set, submitted to the lender most likely to accept the income story.
- 04
Approval and settlement
Valuation and formal approval, with the structure confirmed before signing.
Documents needed
- Two years of tax returns and notices of assessment
- Recent BAS lodgments
- Business bank statements
- Accountant's letter confirming income
- ABN and GST registration details
- Trust deed or company records, if applicable
Common mistakes
- Applying before the current financial year's numbers exist
- Using a lender that does not accept your entity structure
- Understating living expenses — lenders verify them
- Leaving BAS lodgments outstanding while applying
as at 15 November 2026
General information only and not credit assistance. Estimates are not an offer, quote or approval. Lending is subject to lender approval, terms, fees and charges. Next Step Financing Pty Ltd (ABN 77 680 857 416, Australian Credit Licence 384704, Credit Representative 563367).
How a referral between businesses works
When the right next step sits with another business in the group, we ask you first. You decide whether the introduction happens.
- Client consent first — nothing about you is shared with another business without your agreement.
- Each business advises only within its own licence. IR Property does not give tax or credit advice, GBS advises on tax and accounting only, and Next Step Financing provides credit assistance only.
- Any referral fee, commission or benefit paid between businesses in the group is disclosed to you before you engage.
Common questions
Where to go next
Start with a conversation
One free consultation. Three services. No obligation.
Tell us what you're trying to do and we'll tell you plainly whether property, accounting, finance — or all three — is the right starting point.
Property notes, once a month
Market movement across Melbourne and regional Victoria, tax changes worth knowing about, and lending shifts explained without the spin.