You can sometimes get a home loan with an ABN, but rarely with the ABN alone. An ABN shows the lender your business exists; it doesn’t show whether the business makes enough money to repay a mortgage.
Lenders still want income evidence. For a standard self-employed loan that usually means tax returns and ATO notices of assessment, and for low-doc or alt-doc options it can mean BAS, business bank statements or an accountant’s letter.
How long you’ve held the ABN, whether you’re registered for GST and your business structure all affect which lenders will look at your file. Use this support article alongside the main self-employed home loans Australia guide.
Is an ABN enough to get a home loan?
No. An ABN proves registration, not serviceability. The lender’s job is to work out whether you can afford the repayments, and that needs evidence of income, expenses, debts and deposit.
Think of the ABN as the starting point. It confirms when your business began, which is often how lenders measure your trading history.
What do lenders ask for beyond the ABN?
Depending on the lender and pathway, you may be asked for:
- Personal tax returns and notices of assessment.
- Business, company or trust returns and financial statements.
- BAS for the last few quarters.
- An accountant’s letter confirming income.
- Business and personal bank statements.
- Invoices, contracts or evidence of recurring work.
- Details of debts, including any ATO payment plans.
NAB’s self-employed page lists personal and business tax returns for the past two years, BAS if tax returns aren’t available, ABN and GST registration details, profit and loss statements, balance sheets and bank statements (NAB, checked 3 October 2026).
Does GST registration matter for a home loan?
It can. GST registration and BAS history help a lender understand the size of your business and how consistently you report.
Business.gov.au says you must register for GST if your GST turnover is $75,000 or more, or if you provide taxi or ride-sourcing services regardless of turnover. If you’re starting out and expect to reach $75,000 in the first year you should register, and you have 21 days to register once you become aware you’ll go over the threshold (business.gov.au, checked 3 October 2026).
This doesn’t mean every borrower must be GST registered. It means the story needs to make sense. If you claim strong turnover but have no GST registration, expect the lender to ask why.
Do I need an ABN if I earn less than $75,000?
This question mixes up two things. An ABN and GST registration are not the same.
You can hold an ABN without being registered for GST if your turnover is below the threshold and no other rule requires it. For lending, the bigger issue isn’t the GST status; it’s whether your income can be proven. If you’re unsure about your own tax obligations, speak to your accountant or tax adviser.
How long do you need an ABN before getting a home loan?
This depends on lender policy, and the range is wide.
| Lender example | What its page says (checked 3 October 2026) |
|---|---|
| NAB | Checks at least one to two years of self-employed income history; may consider a single year’s financials where LVR is 80% or less |
| Westpac | Explains that low-doc lenders often want an ABN held for at least two years and 12 months of BAS, but says Westpac itself doesn’t offer low-doc loans |
| Pepper Money | Alt-doc option may consider six months of ABN and GST registration, subject to full review |
Sources: NAB, Westpac, Pepper Money.
These are examples of published policy, not a guarantee of approval. The same borrower can be a poor fit for one lender and a workable fit for another, which is why lender choice matters.
Which documents apply to sole traders, companies and trusts?
| Structure | What lenders may review |
|---|---|
| Sole trader | Personal tax returns, notice of assessment, ABN, BAS, business bank statements |
| Company | Company returns, financial statements, director income, retained profit, business liabilities |
| Trust | Trust returns, deed, distributions, beneficiaries, business financials |
| Partnership | Partnership returns, your share of income, personal returns, business financials |
Westpac’s guide makes the same distinction: sole traders generally provide personal returns and notices of assessment, while partnerships, companies and trusts also provide business returns and financial statements (Westpac, checked 3 October 2026).
Can I use BAS instead of tax returns?
Sometimes. NAB lists BAS as a document that may be used if tax returns aren’t available (NAB). Pepper Money’s alt-doc option accepts a declaration of financial position plus six months of business bank statements, six months of lodged BAS or an accountant’s letter, with eligibility criteria applying (Pepper Money, checked 3 October 2026).
But BAS shows turnover, not profit. A business can have high turnover and thin margins. The lender still needs to understand expenses, debts and real repayment capacity. For how lenders turn your numbers into usable income, see how banks calculate self-employed income.
What common mistakes do ABN borrowers make?
Thinking the ABN is enough
An ABN supports the story. It isn’t the full story.
Leaving financials too late
If your latest year is strong, talk to your accountant early so the returns are ready when you need them.
Not registering for GST when required
If turnover is above the threshold, GST registration and BAS history need to be in order.
Mixing personal and business banking
Separate accounts make income easier to verify and explain.
Going to the wrong lender first
A decline can stay on your credit file as an enquiry. Checking lender fit before applying reduces that risk.
What should you do next?
- Confirm your ABN start date and GST status.
- Check whether you have current tax returns and notices of assessment.
- Gather BAS and business bank statements if tax returns aren’t ready.
- List your business and personal debts.
- Work out whether the file is full-doc, low-doc or alt-doc. Our low-doc home loans guide explains the trade-offs.
- Use start enquiry if you want NewGen to check lender fit before you apply.
Final word
You can sometimes get a home loan with an ABN, but the ABN is not the approval. Approval depends on income evidence, trading history, deposit, credit profile, debts and lender policy, and lending criteria apply.