Self-Employed & ABN Finance for Sole Traders & Contractors

Finance for Self-Employed Borrowers and ABN Holders

If you work for yourself, you already know that most banks make borrowing unnecessarily hard. They want two years of tax returns, perfect P&L statements, and a salary slip you’ll never have. At SB Finance, we think that’s backwards. Running your own business is a sign of ambition and financial sophistication — not a red flag.

We specialise in helping self-employed borrowers, ABN holders, sole traders, contractors, freelancers and small business owners access the finance they need — whether that’s a home loan, car finance, equipment finance, or a business loan.

Why Banks Say No to Self-Employed Borrowers

Traditional banks use a rigid assessment model built for PAYG employees. If your income fluctuates, if you’re in your first or second year of trading, if you run a trust or company structure, or if your tax returns show a low taxable income (common with smart tax planning), the major banks often decline or dramatically reduce your borrowing capacity.

This is frustrating — because your actual cash flow, your business assets, and your trading performance often tell a very different story. SB Finance works with specialist lenders who understand this, and who assess self-employed applications the right way.

Self-Employed Home Loans

Buying or refinancing a home as a self-employed borrower is one of our core specialities. We access a full panel of alt-doc (alternative documentation) lenders who accept:

• Accountant declarations confirming your income
• BAS statements (typically 12 months)
• Business bank statements showing cash flow
• One year tax return (not always the two years banks require)
• Rental income, dividend income, and other income streams

Many of our self-employed home loan clients are surprised to discover they can borrow significantly more than a bank told them — simply because we know which lenders apply which policies.

ABN Holder Car Finance

If you use a vehicle for business purposes, you may be eligible for significant tax advantages through a chattel mortgage. SB Finance arranges car and equipment finance for ABN holders across the Hills District and all of Sydney, with fast approval and competitive rates.

Advantages of financing a vehicle through your ABN include potential GST input tax credits, depreciation deductions, and structured balloon payments to reduce your monthly commitment.

Business Loans for Self-Employed Borrowers

Need working capital? Want to buy equipment, take on a new contract, or expand your premises? SB Finance arranges business loans for self-employed operators across all industries. We work with lenders who offer:

• Unsecured business loans up to $500,000
• Equipment finance and chattel mortgage
• Invoice finance and debtor factoring
• Commercial property loans
• SMSF loans for property investment

What Documents Do I Need?

This varies by lender and loan type, but as a general guide for alt-doc home loans we typically need:

• Your ABN registration (typically 12+ months active)
• Your most recent BAS statements (4 quarters)
• Business bank statements (3-6 months)
• An accountant declaration or letter
• Identification documents

For business loans, requirements are often lighter — many lenders can assess based on bank statements alone.

Frequently Asked Questions — Self-Employed Finance

Can I get a home loan if I’ve been self-employed for less than 2 years?

Yes. Several lenders on our panel will consider borrowers with 12 months of ABN registration. If your business is growing and you have good cash flow evidence, we can often find a solution even in your first or second year of trading.

Will applying affect my credit score?

Our initial assessment is a soft enquiry that does not affect your credit score. We only submit a formal application once you’ve chosen a lender and rate that works for you.

Do you help self-employed borrowers refinance?

Absolutely. Refinancing can be worth reviewing for self-employed borrowers, particularly if your circumstances have changed since your original loan was arranged. We can compare options across specialist lenders who understand self-employed clients, with any outcome subject to lender eligibility criteria.

What if I have bad credit?

We work with specialist lenders who consider your full picture — not just your credit file. If you have defaults, arrears, or a Part 9 debt agreement, there may still be options available. Speak with our team for an honest assessment.

Areas We Serve

SB Finance helps self-employed borrowers across the Hills District and greater Sydney, including Castle Hill, Norwest, Baulkham Hills, Kellyville, Parramatta, Blacktown, and beyond.