Credit & ApprovalMakeMyLoan brokers compare dozens of lenders and owe you a Best Interests Duty — your bank doesn't.
Nothing slows a home loan application down like documents arriving in dribs and drabs. Lenders assess complete files quickly and park incomplete ones, so gathering everything before you lodge is the single easiest way to speed up approval. Here is the full checklist, organised by employment type and loan purpose, plus the reasoning behind the requests that feel intrusive.
Lenders must verify your identity under anti-money-laundering rules, so expect to provide:
Most lenders and brokers now verify ID electronically or by video, so this step is quicker than it used to be — but mismatched names across documents remain a classic source of delay.
If you earn a salary or wages, the standard set is:
If a chunk of your income is overtime, commission or bonus, expect the lender to ask for more history — typically an extra year of evidence — because variable income is shaded and needs a track record. See how banks assess serviceability for why.
Self-employed applicants carry a heavier documentation load because there is no employer to verify the income:
Lenders generally average or conservatively assess self-employed income across the period. If your business had a one-off cost or a COVID-style anomaly year, tell your broker up front — some lenders can work with an accountant's explanation, and low-doc alternatives exist for strong applicants with limited paperwork. More on this in self-employed home loans.
Almost every lender wants your most recent 90 days of transaction and savings account statements, and often statements for every liability. This is not curiosity — it serves three specific purposes. First, expense verification: your real spending is compared against what you declared, and against the HEM benchmark. Second, undisclosed debt detection: regular repayments to a lender you did not mention, buy now, pay later cycles, or new credit enquiries show up in transactions. Third, genuine savings: for higher-LVR loans, lenders want to see the deposit accumulating over time rather than appearing as a lump sum. Ninety days is the window regulators and lenders have settled on as long enough to reveal patterns but recent enough to be current. The practical advice: keep those three months clean — consistent savings, no dishonours, no gambling sprees, no unexplained large movements. Our guide to improving approval chances covers the preparation timeline.
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You will need to show where the deposit is and where it came from:
Large unexplained deposits in your accounts will attract questions, so be ready to document their source. For loans above 80% LVR, many lenders also want the deposit to qualify as genuine savings — funds held or accumulated in your name for at least three months — so keep the money parked and visible rather than shuffling it between accounts in the weeks before you apply.
For a purchase, add:
For a refinance, add:
Three habits shortcut the whole process. Download documents as original PDFs from your bank rather than screenshots — lenders often reject cropped images. Name files clearly and send everything in one batch. And use secure channels your broker provides rather than email where possible. When you apply with us, you will get a tailored checklist for your exact situation — usually shorter than this article, because most items only apply to some borrowers.
Every lender's document list differs slightly, and sending the right set the first time can shave weeks off approval. Contact us and we will tell you exactly what your situation requires before you gather a thing.
Three reasons: to verify your declared living expenses against real spending, to detect undisclosed debts or repayment commitments, and to evidence genuine savings for higher-LVR loans. Ninety days is long enough to show patterns while staying current.
Typically personal tax returns and ATO notices of assessment for the last one or two years, plus company or trust returns and financials if you trade through an entity. Some lenders accept alternatives such as BAS or accountant declarations under low-doc policies.
Yes — usually at least your first one or two payslips, and possibly an employment letter confirming your role, salary and start date. Some lenders will lend during probation; policies differ, so lender selection matters if you have recently moved jobs.
If family are contributing to your deposit, most lenders want a signed letter from the giver stating the amount and confirming it is a gift, not a loan. Some lenders also want the funds visible in your account for a period before settlement.
Usually not. Lenders generally require original PDF statements downloaded from your bank, showing your name, account number and the full period. Cropped images and screenshots are a common cause of rework and delay.
This article is general information only and doesn't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs — it isn't personal credit advice, and lending criteria, rates, fees and government schemes change. Before acting, speak with a licensed MakeMyLoan broker or credit representative who will assess your circumstances and provide a credit guide before any credit assistance is given.
