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Builder / Construction

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

Q: 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.

Q: How long do I need to be in business?

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

Q: 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.

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

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

Q: 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.

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

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

Most major banks won't — but several specialist lenders use alt-doc structures based on BAS turnover or accountant's declaration. Add-backs for equipment depreciation often increase assessable income significantly.

How long do I need to be in business?

Most lenders want 2 years of BAS and tax returns. Some lenders accept 12–18 months for low-doc/alt-doc structures with stronger documentation elsewhere.

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

Some lenders treat business-purpose equipment loans differently from personal debt. We choose those lenders to maximise your home loan capacity.

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

For a builder on $150K net (after expenses + add-backs) with 20% deposit, $1M–$1.2M borrowing is commonly achievable.

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

Construction loans where you're the owner-builder are possible but more complex. Lenders may want detailed cost estimates, project plans and stronger equity. We can guide owner-builder construction lending.

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.

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Get your personalised answer in 2 minutes

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