Key takeaways
Changing jobs doesn't automatically stop you getting a home loan, but lender policies and employment requirements vary.
Lenders may look at your employment type, income, career history and whether you're still on probation.
Moving into permanent work or receiving a promotion may strengthen your position, depending on the lender and your circumstances.
Tell your broker about employment changes early so they can check how your lender may assess your application.
Changing jobs can be exciting, especially if it comes with a better salary, more security, or the next step in your career.
But if you're also buying a home, the timing can add another question to your list: will changing jobs affect your home loan?
The short answer is that it can, but a new job doesn't automatically rule you out.
Lenders need to understand your financial situation and whether you can afford the proposed loan.
Under Australia's responsible lending obligations, credit licensees must make reasonable inquiries about a customer's financial situation and take reasonable steps to verify it.
That means your income and employment can form an important part of your application, and a change during the home-buying process may need to be reassessed.
The impact depends on the lender, the type of work you're moving into, and your broader financial circumstances.
Can I get a home loan after starting a new job?
Potentially, yes.
Starting a new job doesn't automatically make you ineligible for a home loan. What matters is whether your circumstances meet the lending criteria of the lender assessing your application.
Siobhan Bryson, Aussie Broker shared “Changing jobs doesn’t automatically stop someone getting a home loan, which I think surprises a lot of people. I look at where they’ve come from and where they’re going. Someone changing employers but staying in the same industry can be a very different scenario to someone completely changing careers.”
There isn't one minimum employment period that applies to every Australian home loan. How a recent job change is assessed can depend on the lender's criteria, your type of employment and your broader financial circumstances.
Your previous work history may also be relevant. For example, a lender may consider factors such as your employment history, current income, and whether you're still on probation when assessing your application.
This is one reason it can help to speak with an Aussie Broker before applying. Your broker can look at your circumstances and help you understand how participating lenders may assess your employment history.
What do lenders consider after a job change?
A lender isn't necessarily looking at your start date in isolation.
Depending on its lending policy and your circumstances, it may consider factors such as:
how long you've been in your current job
your previous employment and career history
whether you've remained in the same occupation or industry
whether there was a gap between your previous and current roles
whether you're on probation
whether you're employed full-time, part-time, casually or on a contract
your base salary and other income
whether your income is ongoing and can be verified
your debts, expenses, deposits, credit history and overall financial position.
Lenders may also assess different types of income in different ways, including bonuses, commissions, and overtime.
For example, how your income is assessed may vary depending on whether you're employed full-time, part-time, casually or are self-employed.
The broader lending environment matters, too. As of May 2026, APRA confirmed that the mortgage serviceability buffer would remain at 3 percentage points for banks.
This means banks generally assess whether new borrowers could service their mortgage at an interest rate above the actual loan rate, helping provide a buffer for potential changes in rates or a borrower's financial circumstances.
So, while a job change is only one part of the picture, lenders still need to be comfortable with your income and ability to meet repayments.
You might also be interested in: How a rate rise could change what home buyers can afford
Can I get a home loan while on probation?
Being on probation can affect which lenders and loan options are available to you, but it doesn't automatically mean your home loan application will be declined.
Probation is a period at the beginning of employment that allows an employer and employee to assess whether the role is suitable.
Fair Work says probation periods often range from three to six months, although employers generally determine their length.
From a lending perspective, policies vary.
For example, BankVic's published home loan eligibility criteria state that an applicant must have regular PAYG income and be outside any probationary period.
Other lenders may consider borrowers who are still on probation, depending on their lending criteria and the applicant's broader circumstances.
This is where checking lender policy before lodging an application can be valuable.
Rather than assuming you need to wait until probation ends, an Aussie Broker can help you understand which participating lenders may consider your circumstances now and whether waiting could change your options.
What if I change from full-time to casual, part-time or self-employed work?
Changing employers is one thing. Changing how you earn your income can be another.
If you move from permanent full-time employment to casual or part-time work, your hours and income may change. The lender may therefore need to reassess the income it can use when calculating your borrowing capacity.
CommBank, for example, publishes different documentation requirements depending on employment circumstances, including a longer period of bank statements for casual employees than for some salaried applicants.
This illustrates why employment type can affect how income is verified, although requirements differ between lenders.
Moving from PAYG employment into self-employment can involve a bigger change to the way your income is assessed.
Self-employed borrowers may be asked for tax returns, business financial statements, and other evidence depending on the lender and application.
The key is to tell your broker about the change before you make assumptions about what it means for your application.
You might also be interested in: Paying more because you're self-employed? You might have more options than you think
Could a promotion or move into permanent employment help my application?
Not every employment change is a step backwards from a lending perspective.
If you're promoted while remaining with the same employer, the continuity of your employment hasn't necessarily changed. What may change is your position, salary, or income structure.
“A promotion or pay increase can actually strengthen an application, provided the new income is confirmed and the client has commenced the new role. Moving from casual or contract employment into a permanent position can also be a positive,” said Simon Tuckman, Senior Mobile Broker, Mobile QLD.
However, a higher salary doesn't automatically mean a higher borrowing capacity or guaranteed approval. A lender will still consider your overall financial circumstances and its own lending criteria.
If a promotion introduces a large bonus, commission, or other variable component, the lender may also treat that income differently from your base salary.
The safest approach is to have your broker check the details rather than assuming that any pay rise will automatically improve your application.
What if there's a gap between my old job and my new job?
An employment gap doesn't automatically prevent you from getting a home loan either.
However, the lender may want to understand the circumstances around it, particularly if the gap affected your recent income.
For example, there can be a difference between moving directly from one employer to another and having several months between roles.
The reason for the gap may also provide useful context, whether it resulted from redundancy, a planned career break, or another change in circumstances.
Your previous work history, new employment arrangements, current income and the length of the gap may all be relevant depending on lender policy.
If you've recently returned to work after a break, tell your Aussie Broker what happened and provide accurate employment dates.
They can help you work through what participating lenders may require.
You might also be interested in: Budget, location, or the home – What should first-home buyers compromise on?
What documents might I need after starting a new job?
Expect the lender to ask for evidence of your current income and employment.
Exactly what you'll need depends on the lender, employment type, and application, so there isn't one universal checklist.
“The supporting documents can make a big difference. Depending on the lender, I may need the new employment contract or letter of offer, recent payslips, bank statements showing salary credits, previous employment details and, where relevant, evidence of consistent overtime, bonuses or allowances," Simon said.
For example, CommBank says income evidence may include a recent payslip, bank statements, an employment contract or a letter from an employer depending on the customer's circumstances.
BCU Bank says applicants may be asked for two recent payslips and, in some cases, an employer letter, employment contract or other income evidence.
Depending on your circumstances, it can be useful to have the following ready:
recent payslips
your signed employment contract or letter of offer
details of your start date
details of your employment type and probation period, if applicable
evidence of your previous employment and income if requested
bank statements or other supporting income records requested by the lender.
Getting your paperwork organised early may help your broker identify any gaps before the application is lodged.
Can I change jobs after getting home loan pre-approval?
You can change jobs after receiving pre-approval, but you should tell your broker or lender about the change as soon as possible.
Home loan pre-approval is not the same as unconditional approval, and it doesn't guarantee that your loan will receive final approval.
If your employment or income changes after pre-approval, the information underpinning the lender's original assessment may no longer be current.
For example, suppose your pre-approval was based on permanent full-time employment, and you then move into a casual role.
Your lender may need to reassess your application based on your new income and employment arrangements.
That doesn't mean the loan will necessarily be declined. It means the lender needs accurate, up-to-date information before making its final decision.
If you're considering changing jobs between pre-approval and settlement, speak with your Aussie Broker before accepting a new role where possible.
They can help you understand what the change could mean for your existing application.
You might also be interested in: What happens if rates rise during your property purchase
What if I change jobs after unconditional approval but before settlement?
It can still be worth speaking with your broker before making a major employment change.
Unconditional approval is a much later stage of the process, but your obligations under the loan and any lender requirements still matter.
Your broker can explain where your application currently sits and whether the lender needs updated information.
If you're only a few weeks away from settlement and have flexibility over your start date, ask your broker about the implications before deciding whether to change jobs immediately or wait.
The right timing will depend on your circumstances and the lender involved.
How can I prepare for a home loan if I've recently changed jobs?
A new role doesn't have to put your property plans on hold. A little preparation can help you understand where you stand.
1. Be upfront about your employment
Give your broker accurate employment dates, income details, and information about any probation period.
If you're already going through the application process, tell them about a planned job change before it happens where possible.
2. Get your income documents ready
Gather recent payslips, your employment contract or offer letter and any other income evidence requested.
Different lenders have different documentation requirements, so your broker can help you work out what you'll actually need.
3. Look at your whole financial position
Your employment history isn't assessed in a vacuum. Lenders may also consider your income, debts, expenses, credit history, savings, and other financial commitments when determining whether a home loan is suitable.
4. Avoid assuming every lender has the same employment rules
One lender's criteria may not be another lender's criteria. This can be particularly important if you're on probation, recently changed industries, work casually or have another less straightforward employment arrangement.
5. Talk to an Aussie Broker before you apply
If a new job and a new home are happening at the same time, you don't have to figure out the lending side alone.
An Aussie Broker can review your circumstances, explain how participating lenders may assess your employment and help you prepare the documents needed for your application.
Aussie Brokers have access to home loan options from a panel of more than 25+ lenders**, which can be useful when your employment situation doesn't fit neatly into one lender's criteria.
Changing jobs doesn't have to put your home plans on hold
Starting a new job while buying a home can add another layer to the process, but it doesn't necessarily mean you need to put your plans on pause.
How a job change affects your application will depend on your employment circumstances, financial position, and the lender's criteria.
“I’ve had plenty of conversations with customers who think they can’t apply because they’ve just changed jobs or are on probation. That isn’t always the case. Sometimes we just need to find the lender whose policy suits their situation,” Siobhan said.
If you're thinking about changing jobs, or you've already made the move, speaking with your Aussie Broker early can help you understand what it could mean for your application and what information you may need to provide.
Changing jobs while buying? Chat with your local Aussie Broker for free^ to understand your home loan options before you make your next move.
