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Core information for most applicants
Have the information below available before starting. A lender may request more after reviewing the application.
- Driver licence or other acceptable identity documents.
- Residential history and current contact details.
- Employment details and recent evidence of income.
- Regular living expenses, rent or mortgage and dependants.
- Existing loans, credit cards, buy-now-pay-later limits and other commitments.
Income evidence by work type
Requirements differ by lender and the stability or complexity of the income. The table shows evidence that appeared across the reviewed policies; it is not a promise that every item will be requested or accepted.
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| Applicant or income type | Common starting evidence | What can trigger more evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent PAYG | Recent payslips or verified salary credits. | Probation, a new role, irregular credits, overtime, bonus or salary sacrifice. |
| Casual or variable hours | Payslips plus a longer income history or transaction data. | Short tenure, fluctuating hours or a material gap in work. |
| Fixed-term or contractor | Contract details, payslips or invoices and transaction history. | A contract ending before the loan or limited industry continuity. |
| Self-employed consumer applicant | Recent tax return and notice of assessment, plus transaction data where required. | Complex entities, inconsistent income, tax liabilities or a larger requested amount. |
| Commercial low doc or mid doc | ABN and GST history, declarations, comparable credit or business bank statements. | Higher exposure, weaker conduct, unusual asset purpose or insufficient comparable credit. |
Reviewed policies commonly used approximately 90 days of bank transaction data for higher-verification consumer applications. Some commercial pathways required six months. Document recency and the lender’s approved digital-verification method matter.
Dealer, private sale and refinance documents
The transaction determines the vehicle evidence and payment instructions needed at settlement.
- Dealer purchase: signed purchase contract or tax invoice containing the seller, price, vehicle, VIN and relevant on-road or deposit details.
- Private sale: seller identity and verified bank details, proof of ownership, VIN and registration, sale agreement and any required vehicle inspection.
- Refinance: current lender payout figure, clean repayment history where required and accurate vehicle details.
- All financed vehicles: comprehensive insurance can be a settlement condition, particularly where the vehicle secures the loan.
Documents commonly triggered by the application profile
The document list often expands because of a specific risk or verification question rather than because every lender wants a larger file.
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| Trigger | Possible additional evidence | Question the lender is resolving |
|---|---|---|
| First significant loan or thin credit file | Approximately 90 days of transaction history and evidence of savings. | Does the applicant demonstrate stable cash flow and financial conduct? |
| Joint debts or shared household costs | Verified partner income and accurate ownership of commitments. | What portion of the debt and household expense belongs to the applicant? |
| Temporary visa | Passport, visa evidence and employment details. | Can the loan finish within the permitted visa period and does the product accept the visa class? |
| Private sale with finance owing | PPSR search, current payout figure and verified disbursement instructions. | Can the existing encumbrance be discharged safely at settlement? |
| Self-employed or commercial use | Tax returns, notice of assessment, financial statements, BAS or business bank data. | Is declared income or business cash flow supported by current evidence? |
Action plan
What to do next
- 1
Choose your situation
Identify your employment type and whether the vehicle is new, used, dealer or private sale.
- 2
Use current documents
Expired identification or outdated income evidence commonly creates rework.
- 3
Respond to conditions
A lender may request additional evidence after assessing the complete application.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Do all lenders ask for the same documents?+
No. Requirements vary by lender, application risk, income type, vehicle and loan structure.
Will bank statements always be required?+
Not always. Some verification pathways use secure digital transaction data, while other applications require statements or transaction histories.
What if I do not yet have a vehicle?+
You can prepare borrower information first. Final approval and settlement generally require details of an acceptable vehicle and transaction.
Policy evidence: BaseRate reviewed current consumer and commercial vehicle-finance policy material from three Australian financiers, effective between February and June 2026. The guidance below describes recurring policy patterns and observed ranges. It does not reproduce a lender rate card, identify a lender rule or represent the whole market.
Primary sources
Check the rules and regulator guidance
Reviewed by Scott Iriks, Founder of BaseRate · Last reviewed 2 August 2026.
Policy-informed guidance summarises recurring criteria from reviewed financier documents without reproducing confidential commercial material. See the lender-matching and policy methodology.
General information only. A financier determines actual eligibility, rates, fees, terms and approval after assessment.