By Jason Given - June 2026 - 5 min read
Lenders want to see that your income is stable and likely to continue. How they assess this depends on your employment type - permanent, casual, contract, or self-employed. Each has different requirements, and different lenders interpret them differently.
This is the simplest scenario for lenders. A current payslip and your employment contract are usually sufficient. Most lenders do not require a minimum tenure - you can apply from day one of a new permanent role, even during probation, with many lenders.
If you have recently changed jobs, staying in the same industry strengthens your application. Moving from one nursing role to another, for example, is viewed much more favourably than a complete career change.
Casual income is accepted by most lenders, but they typically want to see at least 6-12 months of consistent work with the same employer. The lender will average your income over this period, which means any weeks with reduced hours will bring the average down.
Contract workers are assessed similarly to casual employees. The lender wants evidence that your contracts are ongoing and income is consistent. Having a current contract in place strengthens the application significantly. Some lenders specialise in contract workers and are more flexible with how they assess this income.
A job change does not disqualify you. If you have moved to a higher-paying role in the same industry, many lenders will use your new income from day one. If you have changed industries, some lenders may want to see you past probation first.
The worst time to change jobs is mid-application. If you are about to apply for a home loan, try to keep your employment stable until settlement is complete.
Employment situations vary widely and so do lender policies. Book a free chat and we will tell you exactly how your employment will be assessed and which lenders are the best fit.
Yes, many lenders will approve a loan while you are still in probation - particularly if you are in a permanent role and can provide your employment contract. Some lenders want to see you past probation, but others are comfortable approving during the probation period. Your broker can match you with the right lender.
There is no universal rule. For permanent employees, many lenders accept applications from day one of a new role if you have been in the same industry. For casual or contract workers, most lenders want to see at least 6-12 months of consistent income. The key is demonstrating stable, ongoing income.
Yes. Lenders generally want to see 6-12 months of consistent casual income with the same employer. They will average your income over this period. Some lenders are more flexible than others with casual employment, so working with a broker helps you find the best fit.