Casual Employment Home Loans: Yes, It Can Be Done

Casual workers get told no more than almost anyone, usually by the first lender they ask. The real picture is more generous.

What lenders want to see

Most look for 3 to 12 months in the current role, some accept less with a longer history in the same industry, nurses, teachers and hospitality workers moving between employers included. Income is usually assessed from year-to-date figures and recent payslips, often at a discount to smooth out quiet weeks.

Strengthening the file

Regular hours help. So do a genuine savings record, low card limits and a realistic price target. If your hours swing, lenders lean on the conservative side, plan around the number a lender will use, not your best fortnight.

Casual and a first home buyer?

The government schemes do not exclude casual workers, eligibility is about income, price caps and living in the home. The lender still needs to accept the income, which is a matching exercise across the panel.

Run the Buying Position tool with your realistic annual income, then talk to Charles about which lenders read casual income best.

General information only, not credit, legal or tax advice. Your situation is assessed properly before any recommendation. Government scheme details change; figures are current at the time of writing.