Home loans for low income earners

It's harder to get a loan as a low income earner but it's not impossible. While there are no specific low income home loans, you can increase your chances of loan approval by following the tips listed below.

How much do I need to earn to qualify for a home loan?

Home loan providers have their own criteria for lending, and these are usually kept a secret. Don't let that deter you from applying for a loan. Start by using a borrowing power calculator, like the one below, to get a rough idea of how much you could borrow with your income.

When you apply for a loan, lenders evaluate the amount you can borrow by looking into your capacity to repay. The amount of money you have in your bank account is a factor, as it shows that you can save money despite your expenses (daily expenses, utility bills, other loan repayments, etc.).

Other costs that may come into play are legal or processing fees, pre-purchase inspection fees, maintenance and repair fees, and insurance. Don't forget to factor in possible rate increases over the time it will take to repay your loan.

The kind of loan you are applying for, and the terms in which it’s to be kept, are also factors. Low income loans for shorter periods may help get you approved for a higher amount. The best way to get the amount you need is to be prepared, and ensure that the loan you are aiming for will suit you.

Learn how to find cheap home loans that work for you

What income sources qualify for a home loan?

Income is the biggest factor when it comes to home loans, but many lenders consider different kinds of financial sources when evaluating loan applications. Aside from having a job, receiving rental income, or regular government payments, lenders also look into allowances such as Centrelink payments, child support payments, pensions (disability, retirement, overseas, veterans, etc.), and other money sources that augment your living. Provide proof of these sources to submit with your application form.

In some instances, lenders will approve applications for people who are not earning actively, but have a certain amount of money in the bank. This is usually when you’re applying for a loan from the same bank with which you have your savings and other accounts, but other lenders may accept this as well.

The terms and conditions of each lender vary so it’s best to compare each and pick the one that will work best for you.

What income documents will home loan lenders typically expect?

Applying for a home loan is simple. All you need to do is provide the documents the bank or lender requires, fill out an application and submit it. The lender will then evaluate your documents, and after a set number of working days (this varies for each lender), you’ll be informed if your loan has been approved or not.

Traditional loan applications require several documents. Proof of your identity (passport, birth certificate, citizen’s certificate, driver’s licence, and in some cases, credit cards) and proof of your income (recent payslips, letters of employment, tax assessments). Lenders also require your Australian Tax File Number, and proof of residence (utility bills, recent bank statement, rate notice, valid driver’s license with photo).

If you are self-employed, you need to provide both personal tax returns and business tax returns for the past two years, and your balance sheet and profit and loss accounts for the same period. Contractors would need to provide their most recent employee contract that includes their income details. If you are earning any other income, such as from rent or through government benefits, you will need to present proof of that too.

Most lenders require a regular income and a show of assets. Others require GST registration, or if self-employed, you must be working in the same industry for at least 12 months. Business Activity Statements (BAS) are also required.

Tips when applying for a home loan with a low income

You can increase the chances of being approved for a home loan, even on a low income. Here are a few options to think about:

• Joint application - Consider applying for a loan with your partner or a co-signer. This combines two different income sources, raising your capability to repay the loan. It also takes into consideration the financial history of both borrowers, so be sure you both have good credit histories. It’s important to note that before you apply for a home loan, you should come to a legal agreement first as to how the property is to be divided in case anything happens.
• Borrow less - The lower the amount you apply for, the bigger the chance of it being approved. This is because it's less of a risk to the lender, and the lower loan size means lower repayments that are more likely to fit within your budget.
• Lessen existing liabilities - Lenders look not just at your income, but also at your other financial activities. The few liabilities or less outgoing cash flow you have, the more of your income you can comfortably devote to home loan repayments.
• Larger deposit - Low income earners can get a better chance of approval if the amount of money they have deposited in a bank account is high. A larger deposit indicates less money is needed, which means a lower income can suffice. It also shows the lender that you have financial discipline and you can pay back your loan on time.

Read our essential tips on how to increase your borrowing capacity

Compare basic home loans in the table below

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Updated regularly

Name	Interest Rate p.a.	Comparison Rate p.a.	Fees	Monthly Payment
Unloan Variable Home Loan Principal & Interest20% min. depositOwner-occupierRefinance Only Unloan Variable Home Loan Principal & Interest20% min. depositOwner-occupierRefinance Only Go to site Details Fees Pros & cons Product Name Unloan Variable Home Loan Interest Rate Type variable rate Repayment Type Principal & Interest Interest Rate p.a. 5.99% Comp. Rate p.a. 5.90% Minimum Loan Amount $10,000 Maximum Loan Amount $10,000,000 Maximum Loan Term 30 years Maximum LVR 80% Loan Redraw Facility Yes Offset Account No Split Loan Facility No Fixed Interest Option No Loan Portable No Extra Repayments Yes Application Fee $0 Lender's Legal Fee $0 Valuation Fee $0 Ongoing Fees $0 p.a. Settlement Fee $0 Discharge Fee $0 Pros A competitive variable rate home loan Automatic interest rate discount No lender fees Cons No offset account	Interest Rate 5.99%	Comparison Rate 5.90%	Fees Application: $0 Ongoing: $0 p.a.	Monthly Payment $900	Go to site Compare
Macquarie Bank Basic Fixed Home Loan Principal & Interest 3Y Fixed20% min. depositOwner-occupier Macquarie Bank Basic Fixed Home Loan Principal & Interest 3Y Fixed20% min. depositOwner-occupier Go to site Details Fees Pros & cons Product Name Macquarie Bank Basic Fixed Home Loan Interest Rate Type fixed rate Repayment Type Principal & Interest Interest Rate p.a. 6.35% Comp. Rate p.a. 6.26% Minimum Loan Amount $150,000 Maximum Loan Amount $10,000,000 Maximum Loan Term 30 years Maximum LVR 80% Loan Redraw Facility No Offset Account No Split Loan Facility Yes Fixed Interest Option Yes Loan Portable No Extra Repayments Yes Application Fee $0 Lender's Legal Fee $0 Valuation Fee $0 Ongoing Fees Settlement Fee $350 Discharge Fee $400 Pros Borrow with as little as 5% deposit No application fee No valuation fee for properties up to $2 million No annual fee Cons Monthly repayments only	Interest Rate 6.35%	Comparison Rate 6.26%	Fees Application: $0 Ongoing: $0 p.a.	Monthly Payment $935	Go to site Compare
Macquarie Bank Basic Fixed Home Loan Principal & Interest 3Y Fixed30% min. depositOwner-occupier Macquarie Bank Basic Fixed Home Loan Principal & Interest 3Y Fixed30% min. depositOwner-occupier Go to site Details Fees Pros & cons Product Name Macquarie Bank Basic Fixed Home Loan Interest Rate Type fixed rate Repayment Type Principal & Interest Interest Rate p.a. 6.25% Comp. Rate p.a. 6.20% Minimum Loan Amount $150,000 Maximum Loan Amount $10,000,000 Maximum Loan Term 30 years Maximum LVR 70% Loan Redraw Facility No Offset Account No Split Loan Facility Yes Fixed Interest Option Yes Loan Portable No Extra Repayments Yes Application Fee $0 Lender's Legal Fee $0 Valuation Fee $0 Ongoing Fees Settlement Fee $350 Discharge Fee $400 Pros Borrow with as little as 5% deposit No application fee No valuation fee for properties up to $2 million No annual fee Cons Monthly repayments only	Interest Rate 6.25%	Comparison Rate 6.20%	Fees Application: $0 Ongoing: $0 p.a.	Monthly Payment $925	Go to site Compare
Tiimely Home Own Variable Rate Home Loan Principal & Interest10% min. depositOwner-occupier Tiimely Home Own Variable Rate Home Loan Principal & Interest10% min. depositOwner-occupier Go to site Details Fees Pros & cons Product Name Tiimely Home Own Variable Rate Home Loan Interest Rate Type variable rate Repayment Type Principal & Interest Interest Rate p.a. 5.94% Comp. Rate p.a. 5.95% Minimum Loan Amount $50,000 Maximum Loan Amount $3,000,000 Maximum Loan Term 30 years Maximum LVR 90% Loan Redraw Facility Yes Offset Account No Split Loan Facility No Fixed Interest Option No Loan Portable No Extra Repayments Yes Application Fee $0 Lender's Legal Fee $0 Valuation Fee $0 Ongoing Fees Settlement Fee $0 Discharge Fee $325 Pros No application, valuation or legal fees Speedy online approval process Cons Optional offset accounts come with a $10 monthly fee A $325 discharge fee applies	Interest Rate 5.94%	Comparison Rate 5.95%	Fees Application: $0 Ongoing: $0 p.a.	Monthly Payment $895	Go to site Compare

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Written by

Marc Terrano

Publisher

Marc Terrano is a lead publisher and growth marketer at Finder. He has previously worked at Finder as a publisher for frequent flyer points and home loans, and as a writer, podcast host and content marketer. Marc has a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) from the University of Technology Sydney. He’s passionate about creating honest and simple reviews and comparisons to help everyone get value for money. See full bio