Can Casual Workers Get a Home Loan?

On occasion, I’m approached by clients whose situation sits a little outside my usual scope. Recently, a couple came to me with one big hurdle: they were both casual workers.

This isn’t my typical client base - most of the time I’m working with professionals, self-employed clients, and business owners, but I’m always happy to help when I can. And this case was a good reminder that even when your income is casual, the right timing and paperwork can make all the difference.

Working casually? It's not impossible to get a loan.

Why Casual Income is Tricky

Banks generally like stability. Casual work doesn’t always tick that box - hours can fluctuate, and there’s often less history to rely on. Most lenders will:

• Want at least 6 months in the role (though some insist on longer).

• Prefer to see a history of working in the same industry or type of role.

• Compare your current earnings with what you declared in the last financial year and only take the lower figure.

If you’ve had gaps in work (say, for travel) or you’ve only just started, your options can be pretty slim. A couple of lenders will sometimes look at 3 months’ casual income, but usually with higher interest rates and stricter conditions.

The Strategy That Worked

In this case, my client had been in his new role just 3 months when they first contacted me. Instead of pushing an application too early and getting stuck with expensive, limited options, we decided to wait until he hit the 6-month mark.

That extra time opened up more lenders, sharper rates, and a much stronger application.

When we were ready to go, we provided:

• Recent payslips, showing his income.

• Six months of salary credits on bank statements.

This combination gave the bank the comfort they needed, and the application was approved.

Conclusion

Casual income can make borrowing harder - but it doesn’t have to make it impossible. Often, it comes down to timing, paperwork, and knowing which banks are flexible.

While most of my work is with clients in different circumstances, we always explore options to find the right solution. And sometimes - the best solution for the client, is simply waiting until the timing is better.

Thinking of buying or refinancing but not sure how your income stacks up? I can help you make sense of what banks are really looking for - and when it might be the right time to apply.