Tech Developer and Founder Home Loans Sydney: How Lenders Assess Your Income

By the Mortgagefy Team · Published 7 April 2026 · Last reviewed 4 October 2026

Tech pay can include salary, bonuses, share-based pay, contract rates and founder income. This guide explains how lenders may assess each, and where the treatment can differ between lenders.

Check Your Loan Options or call 0432 634 648

How income is assessedWhat lenders look at, by income type
Documents that helpWhat to have ready
Check your optionsA short chat, free and no obligation

Free, no obligation. Conditions apply. Eligibility, lending criteria, fees and charges apply and vary by lender. General information only, not credit advice.

Australian Credit Licence 348324 · Authorised credit representative No. 532656 · MFAA member · No broker fees · Same-day response · See illustrative scenarios

Who this guide is for

Salaried software developers and engineers
Contract developers working through an ABN or company
Employees with bonuses or share-based pay
Startup founders and company directors
People working remotely for an overseas employer

The real challenge

Lenders find a steady salary simple to assess. Share-based pay, variable bonuses and founder income are harder, so they may be counted partly, later, or not at all.

How lenders treat share-based pay, founder income and overseas employers varies, and some are more restrictive than others.

How lenders may assess tech income

Income type	What lenders commonly look at (varies)
Salaried developer	Payslips and an employment contract. Some lenders may include part of a regular bonus.
Share-based pay (options, RSUs)	Treatment varies. Some lenders may count only amounts actually paid or sold and shown in statements, and unvested or illiquid equity may not be counted.
Contract developer (ABN or company)	Tax returns, BAS or an accountant's letter, depending on how long you have been contracting.
Startup founder or director	Personal and company tax returns and financial statements. Salary, dividends and retained profit may be treated differently.
Remote work for an overseas employer	Policies vary widely. Some lenders limit or exclude foreign-sourced income, others ask for extra documents.

General information only. Requirements vary by lender and change over time. Confirm current requirements with your chosen provider.

Documents that can help

Recent payslips and your employment or contractor agreement
Tax returns and notices of assessment, plus BAS if you contract
Statements showing share-based pay that has been paid or sold
Company financials if you are a founder or director
Proof of your deposit and identification, and a list of your debts

Ways to make your application clearer

Keep a clear record of bonuses and share-based pay received
Separate business and personal accounts if you run a company
Close or reduce credit cards you do not use
Speak to a broker before applying to several lenders

You can model repayments and borrowing capacity with our home loan calculators before you speak to a broker.

Information checked on 4 October 2026. Policies vary by lender and change frequently. Confirm current requirements directly with your chosen provider before applying.

How Mortgagefy helps

Compare lender policies for salary, contract, share-based and founder income
Explain how different income types may be treated
Prepare your application with the right documents for your situation
Explain the trade-offs between lenders in plain language

There is no obligation. We are a Sydney mortgage broker, and we will tell you plainly where a lender's policy is unlikely to suit your situation.

How it works

1
Free chat
A short call about how you are paid, your deposit and your goals.
2
Compare options
We look at which lender policies may suit how your income is structured.
3
Prepare your documents
We help you gather the documents your situation needs.
4
Apply and settle
We help you through application, approval and settlement.

Check your options in 2 minutes

Free, no obligation. Answer a few questions and a broker will follow up.

Your questions

Do lenders count share options or RSUs as income?

Treatment varies. Some lenders may consider only amounts that have actually been paid or sold and are shown in statements, and unvested or illiquid equity may not be counted. Confirm with your chosen provider.

I am a startup founder. How is my income assessed?

Usually as self-employed income, using personal and company tax returns and financial statements. Salary, dividends and retained profit may be treated differently, and many lenders look at more than one year.

Can I borrow if I work remotely for an overseas employer?

Some lenders consider foreign-sourced income, often with extra documents or conditions, while others do not. Policies vary widely.

Does a bonus count when I apply?

Some lenders may count part of a regular bonus, usually based on how long and how consistently you have received it. How much counts varies by lender.

How do lenders treat contract developer income?

It is often assessed using tax returns, BAS or an accountant's letter, depending on how long you have been contracting. Treatment varies by lender.

How much can I borrow?

It depends on your income, living expenses, debts and commitments, deposit and the lender's policy. You can get a starting point from our borrowing power calculator, then speak to a broker about how different lenders may treat your income. Any figure is an estimate only and not an approval.

Get your free Sydney tech home loan assessment

Tell us how you are paid, and we will explain how lenders may assess it. No obligation.

Start Your Free Assessment Call 0432 634 648

More home loan guides

Self-Employed Home Loans

How lenders assess self-employed income.

Contractor Home Loans

Home loan options if you work on contract.

Foreign Income Home Loans

If part of your income is earned overseas.

Under 2 Year ABN Loans

If you are newer in business.

First Home Buyer

Support options for buying your first home.

Home Loan Calculators

Estimate borrowing capacity and repayments.

This information is general in nature and is not personal financial, credit or tax advice. Policies vary by lender and change frequently. Confirm current requirements with your chosen provider and seek professional advice. Information checked 4 October 2026. Mortgagefy is an authorised credit representative under Australian Credit Licence 348324.