Insights
A new job or probation period does not automatically rule out a home loan. Lenders look at the type of role, income evidence, employment history and when the change happens.
Changing jobs does not automatically prevent you from getting a home loan. Many lenders will consider applicants who have recently started a role or are still in probation. The detail matters: employment type, industry continuity, income structure, any gap between jobs and the stage of the loan application can all change the available options.
The safest approach is to discuss the move before resigning, if possible. A pre-approval or even a formal approval is based on the circumstances assessed at the time, and a lender may check employment again before settlement.
Often, yes. Some lenders may accept a new permanent role from the first payslip or employment contract, while others want a minimum period in the role or probation completed. Casual, contract, fixed-term and variable-income positions are usually assessed differently.
A recent change can be easier to explain when you have moved to a similar role in the same industry, the income is stable or higher and there is little or no employment gap. A career change, reduced hours or a move to commission-heavy income may need more evidence and a different lender.
APRA’s residential mortgage guidance says prudent lenders verify employment status and income using evidence such as payslips, employer confirmation, bank statements and tax documents. In practice, a lender may consider:
Policies vary. A scenario one lender will accept immediately may require several months’ history with another.
This is usually the cleanest time to assess the new position because the application can be built around your current employment from the start. Have the signed employment contract or letter of offer, start date, salary details and any available payslips ready.
If you have not started yet, some lenders may consider the contract, while others will wait for the first salary credit or payslip. Avoid assuming that an offer letter alone will be enough.
Tell your broker or lender before making an offer on a property. Pre-approval is conditional and is not a guarantee of final approval. A change in employer, income, employment type or hours can require the application to be reassessed.
The new job may be completely acceptable, but it is better to confirm that before signing an unconditional contract. Our guide to how long home-loan pre-approval lasts explains why changes during the approval period matter.
Do not assume the lender will never ask again. Some lenders reverify employment or request updated payslips before settlement. If the information used for approval is no longer current, disclose the change promptly.
A late change can affect conditions, timing or approval. Hiding it can create a much larger problem if the lender discovers the difference during a final check.
Probation is one factor, not the whole application. Lenders may look at the length and type of prior employment, whether the new role is in the same field, the strength of the deposit, credit history, savings and the overall serviceability position.
Applicants in established professions or moving between comparable salaried roles may have more options than someone entering an entirely new industry with variable income. This is why choosing the lender before lodging the application matters.
For casual employment, overtime, commission or bonuses, lenders often want a longer history and may use only part of the income. APRA notes that uncertain or variable income may be discounted in a prudent serviceability assessment.
Contractors and fixed-term employees may need to show the contract term, renewal history, industry experience and prior income. If you are moving into self-employment, the documentation requirements can change significantly; see our guide to home loans for self-employed borrowers.
Our home-loan document checklist covers the broader information lenders commonly request.
A broker can compare employment policies before an application is lodged, identify the evidence each lender is likely to need and explain whether waiting for a payslip or completing probation would materially improve the options.
If your purchase timing is flexible, a short delay can sometimes make the application stronger. In other cases, there may already be a suitable lender. The right answer comes from matching the employment story to policy rather than treating every job change as a problem.
Often, yes. Some lenders accept probation, particularly where the role is permanent and your employment history is stable. Other lenders may require more time in the job.
Requirements vary. Some lenders may consider an employment contract and one payslip, while others want a longer income history or completed probation.
It may. A move to a new industry, reduced hours or more variable income can require additional evidence and may narrow the lender options.
Yes. Tell your broker or lender promptly. The lender may reverify employment before settlement and may need to reassess the application.
Not always. Waiting may improve the options with some lenders, but another lender may already accept the scenario. Check policy before deciding.