My business turnover is $1.5M but tax return shows $90K. Will banks lend?

Major banks struggle. Specialist alt-doc lenders use BAS turnover; add-backs increase assessable income.

How long do I need to be in business?

2 years standard. 12–18 months possible for alt-doc with stronger documentation.

My equipment loans reduce my borrowing capacity. Anything I can do?

Some lenders treat business equipment loans differently from personal debt. We choose those lenders.

How much can I borrow on $150K builder net income?

On $150K net + 20% deposit: typically $1M–$1.2M.

I want to build my own home using my own building business. Any issues?

Possible but complex. Lenders want detailed estimates, plans and stronger equity. We guide the process.

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Builder / Construction

Builder Owner Home Loan Australia: Real Lending for Construction Business Owners

Mortgagefy Broker Team · Published 2026-04-29 · Last reviewed 2026-04-29

You build homes for everyone else but can't get one yourself? Builder ABN income, project-based billing, equipment depreciation — Mortgagefy knows lenders who handle builder lending properly.

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Who this guide is for

Australian builders running their own construction businesses — domestic, commercial, renovation specialists — wanting home loans that recognise builder ABN income.

Domestic builders with 2+ years of completed projects
Renovation specialists running ABN small businesses
Commercial subcontractors with stable contract pipelines
South Asian builders needing language support and cultural understanding

The real challenge

Builders face the classic self-employed lending paradox — strong cash flow, real assets, equipment expenses, but tax returns that don't reflect actual financial capacity. Major banks decline. They look at the bottom line and stop.

Specialist lenders understand builder income — particularly with 2+ years of BAS, equipment depreciation add-backs, and consistent project pipelines.

How Mortgagefy helps

Mortgagefy works with lenders who specifically handle builder ABN income. We document trading consistency, apply equipment and vehicle depreciation add-backs, and identify lenders flexible with builder cash flow patterns.

Free advice. Honest assessment.

How it works — 4 simple steps

Free builder chat

20-minute call about your business structure, BAS history, current contracts and target home.

Compare lender options

We identify lenders comfortable with builder income — full-doc, alt-doc, low-doc.

Application package

We compile your tax returns, BAS, business bank statements and equipment documentation.

Settle your home

Approval through to settlement with ongoing support.

Frequently asked questions

We use offer letters and vesting schedules to value RSUs conservatively. We present current vesting value + projected future vesting as a 3-5 year income average. This gives lenders confidence in your income stability while accounting for market volatility.

Both. We work with W2 employees, 1099 contractors, and consultants. For contractors, we use 2 years of tax returns plus business financials. We have lenders who specialise in contractor income—they understand the variability.

Unvested options have zero value for refinancing. We count only vested equity. If you have a 4-year vest, we use 25% of the grant value (what's vested) plus a conservative projection of future vesting.

If you've been in your new role 6+ months, most lenders will refinance. We'll use your offer letter plus 6 months of pay stubs. If less than 6 months, it's harder but possible with specialist lenders.

Yes, if you have 2+ years of bonus history. We average the past 2 years and present it conservatively. Some bonuses get counted at 50% to be conservative with variable compensation.

ESPP is counted as deferred compensation. If your company matches or you have a discount, we value it as part of total compensation package.

Get a builder owner home loan assessment

Free 20-minute call about your real options as a builder. We know lenders that work for construction businesses.

Start Your Free Assessment Call 0432 634 648

Get your personalised answer in 2 minutes

Free, no obligation. We'll match you with the right lender for your situation.

Model your scenarios: Use our free home loan calculators to estimate borrowing capacity, repayments, and savings.