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Alt Doc Home Loan

Alt Doc Home Loan is a property-secured home loan where the borrower provides alternative documentation — such as BAS lodgements, accountant letters, or bank statements — instead of full tax returns and financial statements to verify income. Alt doc lending applies strictly to property-secured finance (residential or commercial) and should not be confused with low doc asset finance or low doc vehicle finance, which are separate product categories covering equipment and vehicles.

Why It Matters

Self-employed Australians, company directors, and trust beneficiaries often have complex income structures that don't translate neatly into PAYG summaries or simple tax returns. Alt Doc Home Loans provide a legitimate pathway to property ownership by accepting documentation that still demonstrates genuine borrowing capacity. This product is a core part of the non-bank and specialist lending market and sits alongside the One Doc Home Loan and Low Doc Home Loan.

How It Works

  • You apply through a broker or lender offering alt doc products.
  • You provide alternative income verification — typically 6–12 months of BAS, an accountant's letter, or 3–6 months of bank statements.
  • The lender assesses income using these documents alongside standard credit assessment and property checks.
  • If servicing is met at the lender's assessed income and the LVR is within policy, the loan is approved.
  • Settlement and ongoing repayments work the same as any standard home loan.

Common Use Cases

  • Self-employed borrowers with strong GST turnover but low taxable income
  • Company directors drawing a mix of salary and dividends
  • Trust and partnership beneficiaries with complex distribution structures
  • Borrowers whose latest tax returns are not yet lodged with the ATO
  • Business owners purchasing residential or commercial property

Related Switchboard Resources

For information on BAS lodgement and obligations, visit ato.gov.au.

What documents qualify as alt doc?
The most common alt doc types are 6–12 months of BAS lodgements, an accountant's income declaration letter, or 3–6 months of bank statements. Some lenders also accept bank feeds. Accepted documents vary by lender.
Is alt doc the same as low doc asset finance?
No. Alt doc lending refers strictly to property-secured finance — home loans and commercial property loans. Low doc asset finance and low doc vehicle finance are separate products for vehicles, equipment, and machinery with their own approval criteria.
What LVR can I get on an alt doc home loan?
Most alt doc products cap at 80% LVR, though some specialist lenders may offer up to 85% for strong applications. Higher LVR usually means a higher rate.