Home Home Loan & Mortgage Advisory
Property Finance

Home Loan &
Mortgage Advisory

Stop guessing what the banks want. We break down every lender's criteria — deposit requirements, income types, boarder rental rules, and the exact documents needed — then connect you with a dedicated mortgage broker who works exclusively on your behalf.

Why Applications Fail

Most Rejections Are Preventable — If You Know the Rules

The home loan approval process is one of the most stressful financial journeys an Australian can take. Not because buying property is inherently complicated — but because every bank has a different set of rules, and those rules are rarely published in plain English.

You can have a healthy income, a solid deposit, and a clean credit history — and still get rejected because one small aspect of your financial picture falls outside a lender's undisclosed policy. The frustration is real, and it costs people time, money, and opportunity.

At Clearview, we've built this service to remove that uncertainty entirely. Before you walk into a bank, you'll know exactly where you stand — with every lender.

Common Reasons Applications Are Declined
Debt-to-Income ratio above 6Under APRA's Feb 2026 rules, banks must cap high-DTI loans to 20% of their portfolio.
Deposit under 20% with no LMI planWithout Lender's Mortgage Insurance or a guarantor, most lenders will not proceed.
Income not meeting serviceability bufferBanks test at the loan rate plus 3% — your repayments at a higher rate must still be affordable.
BNPL, Afterpay, or gambling on bank statementsBanks scrutinise three to six months of statements — patterns matter as much as income.
Self-employed income not properly documentedCasual, contractor, and self-employed income require additional proof most applicants aren't aware of.
Wrong lender for your specific situationSome banks accept boarder income; others don't. Applying to the wrong one is an avoidable mistake.
Our Approach

Three Steps to a Confident Application

We don't just connect you with a broker — we prepare you so that every application you make is the right one for your situation.

01

Know Your Position

We assess your income, deposit, debts, credit profile, and spending patterns — the same way a bank credit officer would. You'll know your borrowing capacity, serviceability buffer, and debt-to-income ratio before any lender sees your application.

02

Match You to the Right Lender

Our broker compares criteria across the major banks and second-tier lenders to find the lenders most likely to approve your specific situation — whether you're self-employed, have boarder income, are a first home buyer, or are refinancing an investment property.

03

Apply with Full Documentation

We provide a personalised document checklist so your application goes in complete the first time. Incomplete applications are one of the leading causes of delays and declines. We make sure everything is in order before submission.

Lender Intelligence

Every Bank Has Different Rules

Rates and criteria move regularly. The information below reflects the current lending environment as of April 2026. Our broker maintains live intelligence across all major lenders.

CBA — Lending Criteria

Variable ~6.49% p.a.
Min. Deposit5% (with LMI) · 20% (no LMI)
DTI CapMax 9× income (APRA DTI >6 limited)
ServiceabilityAssessed at loan rate + 3% buffer
Self-Employed1 year financials accepted (since 2024)
Boarder IncomeYES — $150/wk recognised for serviceability
EmploymentPAYG: 3 months · Casual: 6 months
LMI WaiversAvailable for medical, legal, accounting professions
First Home Buyer5% Deposit Scheme — no LMI

Rates updated April 2026. Best discounted variable rates apply to new customers with LVR ≤80%. Always verify current rates with our broker as they move with RBA decisions.

CBA — Documents Required

Full Doc
Identity100 points: Passport + Drivers Licence or Medicare
Income (PAYG)2 recent payslips + 3 months bank statements
Income (Self-Emp)1 year tax return + ATO Notice of Assessment
Boarder IncomeWritten agreement or statutory declaration
Deposit Proof3–6 months genuine savings statements
LiabilitiesAll credit card, personal loan, HECS statements
PropertySigned contract of sale or council rates notice

NAB — Lending Criteria

Variable ~6.49% p.a.
Min. Deposit5% (with LMI) · 20% (no LMI)
DTI CapMax 9× income (APRA DTI >6 limited)
ServiceabilityAssessed at loan rate + 3% buffer
Self-Employed1 year financials accepted (since early 2025)
Boarder IncomeYES — policy since 2021, rental from spare rooms
EmploymentPAYG: 3 months continuous · Casual: 12 months
LMI WaiversAvailable for medical professionals
First Home Buyer5% Deposit Scheme — no LMI

NAB was first to pass on the March 2026 RBA hike effective 27 March. Discounted rates negotiable for new customers above $500K loans.

NAB — Documents Required

Full Doc
Identity100 points: Passport + Drivers Licence or Medicare
Income (PAYG)2 recent payslips + employer confirmation
Income (Self-Emp)1 year tax return + business financials + ATO NOA
Boarder IncomeRental agreement or statutory declaration + 3 months receipts
Deposit Proof3–6 months genuine savings + any gift letter
LiabilitiesAll debt statements, credit limits, HECS balance
PropertySigned contract of sale · Council rates notice

Westpac — Lending Criteria

Variable ~6.44% p.a.
Min. Deposit5% (with LMI) · 20% (no LMI)
DTI CapMax 9× income (APRA DTI >6 limited)
ServiceabilityAssessed at loan rate + 3% buffer
Self-Employed1 year financials accepted (since July 2025)
Boarder IncomeNOT currently accepted for serviceability
EmploymentPAYG: 3 months continuous employment required
LMI WaiversLimited — mainly medical professionals
First Home Buyer5% Deposit Scheme — no LMI

Westpac holds the second-largest home loan book in Australia. Their Flexi First Option offers one of the sharpest basic variable rates but reverts to a higher rate after 2 years.

Westpac — Documents Required

Full Doc
Identity100 points: Passport + Drivers Licence or Medicare
Income (PAYG)2 recent payslips + 3 months bank statements
Income (Self-Emp)1 year tax return + ATO Notice of Assessment
Deposit Proof3–6 months genuine savings
LiabilitiesAll debt statements, HECS balance confirmation
PropertySigned contract of sale · Council rates notice
AdditionalSt George, Bank of Melbourne products also available

ANZ — Lending Criteria

Variable ~6.49% p.a.
Min. Deposit5% (with LMI) · 20% (no LMI)
DTI CapMax 9× income (APRA DTI >6 limited)
ServiceabilityAssessed at loan rate + 3% buffer
Self-Employed1 year financials accepted (since late 2025)
Boarder IncomePolicy unclear — no confirmed acceptance
EmploymentPAYG: 3 months · business overdrafts spread 10 yrs
LMI WaiversAvailable — multiple professions
First Home Buyer5% Deposit Scheme — joined 2025

ANZ's Simplicity Plus offers a competitive basic variable rate. Rate negotiation after two years is more common at ANZ and Westpac than at CBA.

ANZ — Documents Required

Full Doc
Identity100 points (existing customers may be exempt)
Income (PAYG)Bank statements (3 months full-time / 6 months casual)
Income (Self-Emp)1 year financials · director fees or dividends accepted
Deposit Proof3–6 months genuine savings · gift letter if applicable
LiabilitiesAll debt and credit card statements
Tax ReturnATO Notice of Assessment less than 18 months old
PropertySigned contract of sale · council rates notice

Macquarie Bank — Lending Criteria

Variable ~6.15% p.a.
Min. Deposit10% (standard) · 20% (no LMI)
DTI CapStrict — APRA DTI >6 heavily restricted
ServiceabilityAssessed at loan rate + 3% buffer
Self-EmployedStandard 2 years preferred — check with broker
Boarder IncomeCase-by-case assessment
EmploymentContinuous employment preferred — no probation
LMI WaiversStrong professional waiver program
Offset AccountFull 100% offset — market leading

Macquarie is often the sharpest on rate for owner-occupiers with strong financials and ≥20% deposit. Their digital platform and offset account features are best-in-class.

Macquarie — Best Suited For

Strong Financials
Best MatchPAYG professionals with 20%+ deposit
Investor LoansCompetitive investor rates — popular with property investors
Offset Feature100% offset on all variable products
Fixed RatesFixed rates increased April 2026 amid rate expectations
Not Ideal ForLow deposit, self-employed, or boarder income
Identity100 points required
DocumentsSame core requirements — full doc preferred

ING / Online Lenders — Criteria

Variable from ~5.84% p.a.
Min. Deposit20% (most online lenders require this)
DTI CapAPRA rules apply — some more flexible than big 4
ServiceabilityAssessed at loan rate + 3% buffer
Self-EmployedVaries — some accept BAS statements (low-doc)
Boarder IncomePolicy varies — ask our broker to confirm per lender
Rate AdvantageOften 0.3–0.6% lower than big 4 for clean applicants
ExamplesING, Unloan (CBA), RACQ, Great Southern Bank
DrawbackLess flexibility — less human support during process

Online lenders are excellent for straightforward applications with a large deposit. For anything complex, a broker is essential to avoid wasting time on the wrong platform.

Second-Tier & Non-Bank Lenders

Specialist Lending
Who They SuitSelf-employed, non-residents, credit impaired, high DTI
Low Doc OptionsBAS statements + accountant declaration accepted
Rate PremiumUsually 1–1.5% higher than standard lenders
Boarder IncomeOften more flexible — case by case
LVRUp to 95% possible with strong application
StrategyUse as a bridge — refinance to major bank in 2 years
ExamplesLiberty, Pepper Money, La Trobe, RedZed
Boarder & Rental Income

Does Taking in Boarders Help Your Application?

One of the most misunderstood areas of home loan applications is boarder income — where a homeowner rents out a spare room and uses that weekly income to offset mortgage repayments.

The rules vary significantly by lender. Commonwealth Bank was one of the first mainstream lenders to formalise boarder income recognition, allowing applicants to cite $150 per week in rental income — potentially boosting borrowing capacity by $40,000–$50,000. NAB has had a similar policy since 2021.

Westpac has no current policy to accept boarder income. ANZ's position remains unclear. This is precisely why working with a broker who knows each lender's current rules is so important — the wrong application to the wrong bank simply won't succeed.

To have boarder income recognised, you will generally need a formal rental agreement, statutory declaration, or evidence of regular payment receipts for a minimum of three months.

Bank Policy Status
Commonwealth Bank
$150/wk recognised · formal agreement or stat dec required · boosts borrowing capacity up to $50K
Accepted
NAB
Accepted since 2021 · spare room rental income · 3 months receipts + rental agreement
Accepted
Westpac
No current policy to accept boarder income for serviceability purposes
Not Accepted
ANZ
Did not confirm policy when asked — our broker will verify current position
Unclear
Macquarie
Assessed case by case — depends on overall application strength
Case by Case
Non-Bank Lenders
Generally more flexible — verify with broker per lender
Often Yes
Income Assessment

What Income Do Banks Accept — and What Do They Reject?

Not all income is created equal in a bank's eyes. Understanding what counts and what doesn't can make or break your borrowing capacity.

✓ Income Generally Accepted

PAYG Salary (Full-Time)Primary accepted income. 3 months payslips + bank statements. Straightforward and trusted by all lenders.
Part-Time & Casual (with history)Accepted but requires longer evidence — usually 6 to 12 months of consistent employment history.
Self-Employed Business IncomeNow accepted with 1 year of financials at all major banks (changed 2024–2025). ABN active for 2+ years preferred.
Investment Property Rental IncomeAccepted at 70–80% of gross rent. Requires lease agreement + rental statements. High LVR may reduce shading.
Boarder / Spare Room RentalAccepted at CBA ($150/wk) and NAB. Not accepted at Westpac. Requires formal agreement or statutory declaration.
Contractor / Freelance IncomeAccepted with 12+ months continuous contracting, current contract, payslips or invoices, and ABN registration.
Government Pensions & BenefitsAged pension and disability pension generally accepted as income. Family Tax Benefit accepted at most lenders.
Salary Sacrifice & Packaged SalaryGross income used for assessment. Packaging benefits (car, laptop) are noted but not counted as income.

✗ Income Generally Not Accepted

Casual Income (under 6 months)Under 6 months of casual employment history is too short for most lenders to accept. Some require 12 months.
Probationary EmploymentMost banks will not lend to someone on probation. You typically need to pass probation and have one to three months of confirmed full employment before applying.
JobSeeker / Unemployment BenefitsNot treated as stable, ongoing income. Cannot be used for home loan serviceability at any mainstream lender.
Child Support & Maintenance PaymentsInconsistent or court-ordered payments are viewed as unreliable. Some lenders consider ongoing court orders — but this is the exception, not the rule.
Cryptocurrency & Trading IncomeHighly volatile and unverifiable on an ongoing basis. Crypto holdings may be accepted as assets, but not as income for serviceability.
Short-Term / Gig Economy IncomeUber, Airtasker, and other platform income is treated with caution. Usually requires 2 years of tax returns showing consistent income from these sources.
Income Not Declared to the ATOCash income that has not been declared on a tax return cannot be used. Banks verify income against ATO Notices of Assessment.
WorkCover / Temporary Disability IncomeTemporary in nature and cannot be relied upon as ongoing servicing income. Lenders require a return to regular employment.
Preparation Checklist

The Documents Every Application Needs

Before any application goes to a lender, these documents must be in order. Our broker will provide a personalised checklist based on your specific employment and purchase situation.

Identity & Residency

Australian Passport or Birth Certificate
Current Driver's Licence
Medicare Card
Visa documentation (if non-citizen)
Recent utility or rates bill (proof of address)

Income — PAYG Employee

2 most recent payslips
3 months bank statements showing salary credits
ATO Notice of Assessment (last year)
PAYG Summary or Group Certificate (if bonuses)
Employment contract (if recently started)

Income — Self-Employed

1–2 years personal tax returns
ATO Notices of Assessment (matching tax returns)
Business financial statements (P&L, balance sheet)
ABN registration certificate
BAS statements (last 4 quarters)
Accountant's declaration (for low-doc applications)

Deposit & Savings

3–6 months savings account statements (genuine savings)
Gift letter (if funds from family)
Sale contract from previous property (if using equity)
First Home Owner Grant confirmation (if eligible)
Term deposit or managed fund statements (if applicable)

Liabilities & Expenses

All credit card statements (last 3 months)
Personal and car loan statements
HECS / HELP debt balance (from ATO)
Buy Now Pay Later account balances (Afterpay etc.)
Monthly rent / board receipts (current rental expenses)

Property & Boarder Documents

Signed contract of sale (once property chosen)
Council rates notice (for existing property)
Existing mortgage statements (if refinancing)
Boarder rental agreement (written, signed)
Statutory declaration (if no formal rental agreement)
3 months boarder payment receipts or bank evidence
Dedicated Mortgage Broker

One Broker. Every Application. Your Interests Only.

Clearview has partnered with an independent, accredited mortgage broker who works exclusively on behalf of our clients — never on behalf of the banks.

Unlike bank-employed lenders, our broker is paid to find the best outcome for you. They compare criteria across 30+ lenders, know which banks are currently the most competitive for your exact situation, and manage the entire application process from first assessment through to settlement.

There are no hidden referral fees or commissions passed to Clearview. Our broker relationship is built on delivering results for your clients, not building bank relationships.

What Our Broker Does For You
Pre-Assessment Before Any ApplicationKnow your borrowing power, DTI ratio, and serviceability position before a lender sees your file.
Lender Matching Across 30+ BanksWe compare criteria, rates, and flexibility to find the lender most likely to approve and give you the best deal.
Complete Document ManagementPersonalised checklist, document review, and application preparation — reducing the risk of delays and declines.
Rate Monitoring After ApprovalWe continue to monitor your rate after settlement. When better options emerge, you'll be the first to know.
Personal Advocacy ThroughoutYour broker manages all lender communication and advocates on your behalf if questions or issues arise.
Next Step

Utility Optimisation Protocol

With your property finance sorted, the next step is reducing your building's running costs. Our Utility Optimisation Protocol identifies where your scheme is overspending on utilities and delivers measurable savings.