The honest answer to this one is that it depends on who you are. A salaried employee with one bank account has a short list. A business owner with a trust and three rental properties has a long one. Either way, the file moves fastest when everything is in the folder before the application goes in, which is why we ask for the lot up front.

What almost every borrower needs

  • Photo ID. A driver licence or passport, in date. Lenders often want a second form of ID as well, such as Medicare.
  • Proof of income. Usually your two most recent payslips, and for some lenders a recent employment letter or contract.
  • Bank statements. Typically the last three months for the accounts your pay lands in and the ones you spend from. Lenders read these line by line.
  • Proof of savings. Statements showing the deposit, and how long it has been there. Genuine savings over time carry more weight than a lump sum that appeared last week.
  • Your debts. Recent statements for credit cards, car loans, personal loans, buy-now-pay-later and any HECS/HELP balance.

If you are self-employed

Expect to provide your personal and business tax returns for the last two years, notices of assessment, and often business financials. Some lenders will also ask for BAS statements or an accountant's letter. Having your accountant on side early matters more than almost anything else here. Our self-employed home loan guide explains why lenders treat this income so differently.

If you already own property

Add the latest loan statement and rates notice for each property. For investments, you will need the rental income evidence too, either a signed lease or a property manager's statement. If you are refinancing, lenders will want to see the existing loan statement showing the current balance and repayments.

If you are buying with a partner or family help

Everyone on the loan provides their own documents. If a parent is helping with the deposit, or going guarantor, the lender will want to know how that works, and a gift usually needs a signed letter confirming it is not a loan. Tell your broker early if this applies, because the paperwork differs between lenders.

Small things that hold files up

  • A payslip that is more than a few weeks old by the time the lender looks at it.
  • Bank statements with pages missing, or screenshots instead of the actual statement.
  • An expired licence or passport.
  • A new credit card, car loan or job change after you have submitted. See how long approval takes for why that can restart the clock.
  • Unexplained large deposits. If it is a bonus, a sale or a gift, say so before the assessor asks.

Get organised before you find a property

If you are still looking, this is a good time to collect everything, because a pre-approval needs most of it anyway. Our guide to home loan pre-approval covers what happens next.

We use a secure online portal so clients can upload documents from their phone rather than emailing PDFs around. If you would rather have a broker tell you exactly what your situation needs, get in touch or call 1300 001 755. We are licensed credit advisers based in Forestville, helping clients across the Northern Beaches and North Shore.

Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need to apply for a home loan?

Most lenders ask for photo ID, recent payslips, bank statements, proof of your deposit and details of any debts. Self-employed borrowers also provide tax returns and business financials.

How many months of bank statements do lenders want?

Commonly around three months, though some lenders ask for more, particularly for self-employed borrowers or when something needs explaining.

Do I need documents for a pre-approval?

Yes. A pre-approval is based on your documents, so having them ready is the quickest way to get one.

What if I am missing a document?

Tell your broker. Often there is an alternative, such as a different statement or a letter from your employer or accountant.

General information only. It does not take your objectives, financial situation or needs into account, and it is not credit or financial advice. Lender policy, rates and eligibility change regularly and vary between lenders — talk to us about your own circumstances before acting on anything here.