Can You Get a Home Loan with Seasonal Income in Australia?

Getting a Home Loan with Seasonal Income in Australia

Yes, you may be able to get a home loan with seasonal income in Australia, but lender treatment can vary significantly.

Seasonal income is different from ordinary casual income because the income may only be earned during certain parts of the year. This can make it harder for a lender to work out your true annual income.

A fruit picker, ski resort worker, tourism employee, harvest worker, contract teacher, fishing worker, farm worker, event worker or holiday-period employee may earn strong income during peak season, but little or no income outside that period. Some lenders may use an annual average. Some may need 12 months of evidence. Some may use 46 or 48 weeks instead of 52 weeks. Others may not accept short-term seasonal employment at all.

This guide explains how Australian lenders may assess seasonal income for a home loan, based on current policy research.

Can seasonal income be used for a home loan?

Yes, seasonal income may be used for a home loan if the lender is satisfied that the income is regular, verifiable and likely to continue.

A lender may consider seasonal income if:

• you have a history of earning seasonal income
• the income can be verified
• the work pattern is consistent
• the income is declared for tax
• the income is likely to continue
• you can show annual income, not just peak-season income
• you have enough income during off-season periods
• your expenses are manageable
• your debts are under control
• the lender’s policy accepts seasonal employment

Seasonal income is possible, but the income must be presented realistically.

What is seasonal income?

Seasonal income is income that is earned during particular seasons, periods or cycles rather than consistently across the full year.

Seasonal income may come from:

• agriculture
• fruit picking
• harvest work
• farm work
• fishing
• tourism
• ski resorts
• holiday parks
• hospitality
• events
• festivals
• Christmas retail
• school-term employment
• holiday programs
• sports coaching
• construction cycles
• mining shutdown work
• shearing
• landscaping
• tax-season accounting work
• seasonal transport work

The key feature is that income is not earned evenly for 52 weeks of the year.

Why seasonal income is assessed differently

Lenders assess seasonal income carefully because a recent payslip may not represent the borrower’s normal annual income.

For example, a seasonal worker may earn $2,000 per week during peak season. If that amount is multiplied by 52 weeks, it suggests $104,000 per year.

But if the borrower only earns that income for 30 weeks of the year, the real annual income may be much lower.

A lender may ask:

• how many weeks per year do you work?
• how long have you worked in this seasonal role?
• do you return to the same employer each year?
• do you work in the off-season?
• is income received over the whole year or only during the season?
• are there regular gaps in employment?
• does your tax return support the income?
• is the current season unusually strong?
• will this work continue after settlement?
• does the loan pass using a conservative annual income?

The lender needs to avoid overstating income from a short busy period.

Seasonal income vs casual income

Seasonal income and casual income are not always the same.

Casual income usually means the borrower is not permanently employed and hours may vary. Seasonal income means the borrower earns income during a specific season or period.

A casual worker may work all year.

A seasonal worker may work only part of the year.

This matters because some lender policies for casual income are not designed for seasonal workers.

For example, a casual worker may show six months of income that is reasonably representative of the full year. A seasonal worker may show six months of strong income during peak season, but that may not represent the off-season.

That is why some lenders specifically separate seasonal income from ordinary casual income.

What jobs are commonly seasonal?

Seasonal income can appear in many industries.

Common seasonal roles include:

• fruit picker
• harvest worker
• farmhand
• vineyard worker
• shearing worker
• fishing worker
• ski resort employee
• snow season worker
• tourism worker
• holiday park employee
• hotel or resort worker
• event staff
• festival worker
• Christmas casual retail worker
• summer hospitality worker
• lifeguard
• sports coach
• school holiday program worker
• tax accountant during tax season
• construction shutdown worker
• landscaping worker
• agricultural machinery operator

Some jobs are clearly seasonal. Others may be partly seasonal depending on the employer, location and work pattern.

Can fruit pickers and harvest workers get a home loan?

Yes, fruit pickers, harvest workers and agricultural seasonal workers may be able to get a home loan, but the lender will usually need strong annual income evidence.

A lender may review:

• length of time in the industry
• history with the same employer
• annual income across prior years
• tax returns
• ATO income statements
• payslips
• bank income credits
• off-season income
• whether accommodation is provided
• whether the income is ongoing each season
• whether the borrower moves between regions

If the borrower only recently started seasonal harvest work, lender options may be limited.

Can tourism workers use seasonal income?

Yes, tourism workers may be able to use seasonal income.

This may include income from:

• resorts
• hotels
• holiday parks
• tour operators
• ski fields
• coastal tourism
• regional tourism
• cruise operations
• visitor centres
• adventure tourism
• event tourism

The lender may consider whether the income is reliable across the full year.

Tourism income can be affected by:

• summer peaks
• winter peaks
• school holidays
• public holidays
• regional events
• weather
• employer demand
• contract length

A lender may need to average the income over a longer period instead of using one busy-season payslip.

Can ski season workers get a home loan?

Yes, ski season workers may be able to get a home loan if they can show reliable annual income.

Ski season work can be highly seasonal because income may be concentrated in winter.

This may include:

• lift operators
• ski instructors
• snowboard instructors
• resort staff
• hospitality staff
• accommodation workers
• transport workers
• snow grooming staff
• rental shop workers
• mountain operations staff

A lender may ask:

• what do you do outside ski season?
• do you return to the same employer each year?
• how many seasons have you worked?
• do you have a signed seasonal contract?
• is off-season income available?
• does your tax return support the annual income?

If you only work during ski season and have no off-season income, the lender may use a conservative annual average.

Can Christmas casual income be used?

Christmas casual income is usually difficult to rely on unless there is a longer history.

A short Christmas casual role may be viewed as temporary or one-off.

A lender may be cautious if:

• the job lasts only a few weeks
• there is no ongoing employment
• the income is not repeated each year
• there is no full-year income evidence
• the borrower is relying on the income to pass servicing
• the work ends before settlement

Christmas casual income may help your savings position if the money has been received and retained, but it may not be treated as ongoing income for borrowing power.

Can seasonal hospitality income be used?

Yes, seasonal hospitality income may be used if it is consistent and supported by evidence.

This may include income from:

• restaurants
• pubs
• cafes
• resorts
• hotels
• catering companies
• events
• tourist towns
• holiday destinations
• wineries
• function centres

The lender may review whether the work continues throughout the year or is tied to a peak season.

A hospitality worker with year-round casual income may be assessed differently from someone who works only during summer holidays.

Can farm or agricultural income be used?

Yes, farm or agricultural employment income may be accepted, but seasonal patterns need to be clear.

This may include:

• harvesting
• planting
• pruning
• packing
• shearing
• mustering
• irrigation work
• machinery operation
• livestock work
• vineyard work
• orchard work
• grain handling

A lender may need to see that the income repeats each year and is not a one-off seasonal job.

If the borrower works across multiple farms or contractors, the lender may need a full income history rather than one employer letter.

Can fishing industry income be used?

Yes, fishing industry income may be considered, but it can be variable.

Fishing income may depend on:

• season
• weather
• catch volumes
• quotas
• contract arrangements
• employer structure
• casual work availability
• share of catch
• PAYG or contractor status

A lender may need to know whether the income is PAYG employment, contract income or self-employed income.

If the income is irregular or paid through an ABN, extra evidence may be required.

Can event or festival income be used?

Event or festival income can be difficult unless it is regular and supported by a history.

Event workers may earn income during:

• festivals
• concerts
• sporting events
• conferences
• exhibitions
• school holiday events
• wedding season
• summer events
• regional shows
• major public events

The lender may ask whether the income is ongoing or only linked to specific events.

Event income may be easier to use if you work for an employer year-round and events are a normal part of your role.

It may be harder if you only work a few event periods each year.

Can school-term income be seasonal?

Yes, some school-term income can be seasonal or term-based.

This may apply to:

• casual relief teachers
• school holiday program workers
• teacher aides
• education support workers
• sports coaches
• music teachers
• tutors
• after-school care workers
• exam supervisors
• school bus drivers

Some workers are paid through school holidays. Others are not.

The lender may need to know whether income continues during term breaks and long school holidays.

If income is only earned during school terms, annualisation over 52 weeks may not be appropriate.

How much seasonal income will lenders use?

There is no single rule across all lenders.

Based on current policy research, lenders may calculate seasonal or irregular income using different methods.

A lender may use:

• actual annual income from tax records
• average income over 12 months
• average income over two years
• year-to-date income annualised conservatively
• income over 46 weeks
• income over 48 weeks
• six-month average shaded to reflect seasonal work
• payslips or salary credits showing at least 12 months of income
• the lower of current and historical income
• no seasonal income if the work is short term

The method can make a major difference to borrowing power.

Why some lenders use 46 or 48 weeks

Some lenders recognise that certain income types are not earned for the full 52 weeks of the year.

This can apply to casual, inconsistent or seasonal income.

For example, if a borrower earns an average of $1,500 per week during paid working periods, a lender may not multiply that by 52 if the borrower does not work all year.

A lender might use a shorter annualisation period such as 46 or 48 weeks to allow for periods without income.

This can be more realistic than assuming full-year income, especially for workers with school holidays, seasonal shutdowns or off-season periods.

Why 12 months of evidence matters

Seasonal income often needs a longer evidence period because a short period may not show the full pattern.

A lender may want 12 months of evidence to see:

• peak-season income
• off-season income
• gaps between jobs
• annual consistency
• employer changes
• whether income repeats
• whether the borrower has other income sources
• whether the work is truly seasonal
• whether the annual amount supports the loan

Six months of payslips may be enough for some casual income, but it may not be enough if those six months only cover the busy season.

Is short-term seasonal employment acceptable?

Short-term seasonal employment can be difficult.

Some lenders may not accept short-term seasonal employment at all, especially if the role is temporary and not part of a stable pattern.

A lender may be cautious where:

• the role lasts only a few weeks
• the contract ends before settlement
• there is no prior seasonal work history
• there is no off-season income
• the borrower recently changed industries
• the income is needed to pass servicing
• the job is with a temporary agency
• income is not supported by tax records

Short-term seasonal work may help with cash savings, but not always with borrowing power.

Can seasonal PAYG income be used?

Yes, seasonal PAYG income may be accepted by some lenders if the evidence is strong.

Seasonal PAYG income means you are paid as an employee and tax is withheld.

The lender may ask for:

• payslips
• bank salary credits
• ATO income statement
• tax return
• employer letter
• contract
• evidence of annual income
• evidence of repeated seasonal employment

PAYG seasonal income is usually easier to verify than cash-in-hand or self-employed seasonal income.

Can seasonal contractor income be used?

Possibly, but it depends on whether the income is PAYG contract income or self-employed income.

A seasonal contractor may be:

• fixed-term PAYG employee
• labour-hire employee
• ABN contractor
• sole trader
• subcontractor
• agency worker

If you invoice through an ABN, the lender may assess the income under self-employed rules.

This may require:

• tax returns
• business bank statements
• BAS
• invoices
• accountant letter
• contract evidence
• business expense details

The lender may use net income after expenses, not gross invoices.

Can cash seasonal income be used?

Cash seasonal income is difficult to use unless it is declared and verifiable.

A lender usually needs evidence such as:

• payslips
• bank deposits
• tax returns
• ATO income statements
• Notice of Assessment
• employer letter
• contract evidence
• bank statements

If seasonal income is cash-in-hand and not declared, it is unlikely to be used for a home loan.

The income may be real, but if it cannot be verified, the lender may ignore it.

How do lenders verify seasonal income?

The verification depends on the lender and employment type.

Useful documents may include:

• payslips covering the season
• year-to-date payslip
• 12 months of salary credits
• tax-ready ATO income statement
• tax return
• Notice of Assessment
• employment contract
• employer letter
• final payslip from previous financial year
• group certificate or payment summary
• bank statements
• evidence of recurring seasonal work
• evidence of off-season income

The lender may request more than one document if income is irregular.

What should an employer letter include?

An employer letter can help explain seasonal work.

A useful employer letter should include:

• employer letterhead
• employer name
• employer ABN or ACN
• employee name
• job title
• employment type
• start date
• season start and end dates
• pay rate
• average hours
• whether work is expected to continue next season
• whether the employee has worked previous seasons
• whether the work is full-time, part-time or casual
• whether there is off-season work
• name and position of the person signing

The employer letter should match payslips and bank salary credits.

What if you return to the same employer every season?

This can strengthen the application.

Returning to the same employer each season may show that the income is ongoing in a seasonal pattern.

A lender may be more comfortable if you can show:

• repeated seasonal employment
• same employer across multiple years
• similar income each year
• predictable season dates
• consistent bank credits
• tax records confirming income
• employer confirmation
• off-season income or savings

A repeat seasonal role is usually stronger than a first-time seasonal job.

What if you work for different employers each season?

This can still be acceptable, but the lender may need a wider income history.

Some seasonal workers move between employers because that is normal in the industry.

For example:

• harvest workers may follow crop seasons
• tourism workers may move between regions
• event workers may work for different organisers
• ski workers may work winter then summer tourism
• agricultural workers may work across farms

The lender may focus less on one employer and more on the overall pattern of income.

Evidence may include:

• multiple employers’ payslips
• income statements
• bank credits
• tax returns
• contracts
• explanation of work cycle

What if you work different seasons throughout the year?

This can help if the income pattern covers most of the year.

For example, a borrower may work:

• ski season in winter
• tourism or hospitality in summer
• harvest work in autumn
• event work during spring and summer
• teaching during school terms and holiday programs during breaks

The lender may assess the full annual income rather than one job only.

The application may be stronger if the borrower can show consistent annual earnings across several years.

What if you have a main job and seasonal second job?

Seasonal second-job income may be used by some lenders, but usually requires evidence.

A lender may review:

• main job income
• seasonal second-job income
• time in the second job
• whether seasonal work repeats
• total hours during peak season
• whether the income is needed for servicing
• whether the income is declared for tax
• whether the second job is sustainable

If the main job income is enough, the lender may ignore the seasonal second job. If the seasonal income is needed, evidence becomes more important.

What if seasonal income is your only income?

This can be harder.

If seasonal income is your only income, the lender needs to be comfortable that your annual income is enough to manage the loan across the full year.

The lender may look closely at:

• annual income history
• off-season cash flow
• savings buffer
• income gaps
• living expenses during off-season
• repayment conduct
• whether you receive other income
• whether the loan remains affordable outside peak season
• whether your work pattern is stable

A borrower with seasonal income only may still qualify, but the lender will likely use a conservative annual income figure.

What if you have income during the off-season?

Off-season income can strengthen the application.

This may include:

• another PAYG job
• casual work
• part-time work
• business income
• investment income
• rental income
• Centrelink income, where acceptable
• partner income
• tutoring
• coaching
• maintenance work
• farm work
• hospitality work

The lender may assess each income source separately and then decide how much can be used.

Off-season income can help show that you can manage repayments year-round.

What if your income is paid only during the season but spread across the year?

Some seasonal workers have income paid across the year.

For example, some employees may receive annualised salary payments even though the work has seasonal peaks.

If income is paid evenly across the year, the lender may be more comfortable using the annual salary.

A lender may ask:

• is employment ongoing?
• is pay received every month?
• does the contract confirm annual salary?
• are there unpaid periods?
• does income continue during off-season?
• is the role permanent, fixed-term or casual?

The payment structure matters.

Can seasonal income improve borrowing power?

Yes, seasonal income can improve borrowing power if the lender accepts it.

It may help if:

• the income has a stable annual pattern
• tax records support the income
• off-season income exists
• the lender uses a fair annual average
• the borrower has low debts
• expenses are manageable
• the income has continued for multiple years
• the loan does not rely on inflated peak-season income

Seasonal income may not help much if:

• the lender excludes it
• the job is short term
• income is too new
• off-season gaps are large
• evidence is weak
• the current season is unusually strong
• mortgage insurance rules are stricter

Related research: Do Credit Card Limits Affect Your Home Loan Borrowing Power?

Does LVR matter with seasonal income?

Yes, LVR can matter.

LVR means loan-to-value ratio. It compares the loan amount to the property value.

A seasonal-income application may be easier if:

• the LVR is lower
• no lenders mortgage insurance is required
• deposit or equity is strong
• annual income is well documented
• debts are low
• bank statements are clean
• the property is standard security

A higher-LVR loan may require stronger income evidence and may be more difficult if income is seasonal.

Does lenders mortgage insurance affect seasonal income?

Yes.

If lenders mortgage insurance applies, seasonal income may be assessed more conservatively.

This can matter if:

• your deposit is below 20%
• your income is seasonal and variable
• you have short employment history
• your income is needed to pass servicing
• you have limited savings
• you have credit conduct issues
• the property is non-standard

Even if the lender may consider seasonal income, the mortgage insurer may still want stronger evidence.

Can first-home buyers use seasonal income?

Yes, first-home buyers may be able to use seasonal income if it is acceptable to the lender.

The lender may review:

• deposit source
• genuine savings
• annual income history
• current employment status
• off-season income
• credit cards
• personal loans
• living expenses
• bank statement conduct
• LVR
• mortgage insurance

First-home buyers with seasonal income may need stronger savings history because the lender may want to see that income gaps are manageable.

Can seasonal income be used for a refinance?

Yes, seasonal income may be used for a refinance if the lender accepts it.

The lender may review:

• current mortgage repayment history
• property value
• LVR
• annual income history
• seasonal work pattern
• off-season income
• debts being refinanced
• cash-out request
• whether the refinance improves cash flow

If mortgage repayments have been clean across peak and off-season periods, that can support the application.

Related research: Can Australian Expats Refinance a Property and Release Equity Using Foreign Income?

Can seasonal income be used for an investment loan?

Yes, seasonal income may support an investment loan if accepted by the lender.

The lender may assess:

• annual seasonal income
• off-season income
• existing mortgage repayments
• proposed investment loan repayments
• rental income shading
• property expenses
• living expenses
• credit cards and personal loans

Investment borrowing can still be limited by serviceability buffers, even where seasonal income is accepted.

Related research: Can You Use Investment Income from Shares or Managed Funds for a Home Loan?

What if your seasonal income increased this year?

A recent increase may help, but the lender may be cautious.

Income may increase because of:

• more shifts
• higher pay rates
• longer season
• stronger demand
• public holiday work
• overtime
• moving to a higher-paying region
• taking on a second seasonal job
• unusual market conditions

The lender may ask whether the higher income is likely to continue.

If the increase is not supported by prior years, the lender may use a lower historical amount.

What if your seasonal income decreased this year?

A decrease can reduce borrowing power.

Income may decrease because of:

• shorter season
• fewer shifts
• bad weather
• crop failure
• reduced tourism
• lower event demand
• illness
• travel
• family responsibilities
• employer changes

If recent income is lower than prior years, the lender may use the lower figure unless there is a strong reason to use historical income.

What if you have gaps in bank statements?

Income gaps are normal for many seasonal workers, but lenders will still review them.

A lender may ask:

• why did income stop?
• how long was the gap?
• was the gap expected?
• were repayments still made on time?
• did you use savings?
• did you rely on credit cards?
• did you take payday loans?
• did any direct debits dishonour?
• did you have off-season income?

A predictable income gap may be acceptable. A gap that leads to poor account conduct may create concerns.

Related research: Can You Get a Home Loan with Overdrawn Bank Statements?

What if you rely on savings during the off-season?

Savings can help support a seasonal-income application.

A lender may be more comfortable if you can show:

• regular savings during peak season
• a cash buffer for off-season expenses
• no missed repayments during income gaps
• no reliance on payday loans
• controlled credit card use
• enough funds after settlement
• realistic living expenses

Savings do not replace income, but they can show that seasonal cash flow is being managed well.

What if you travel between seasonal jobs?

Some seasonal workers travel between regions for work.

A lender may ask whether travel costs affect cash flow.

This may include:

• accommodation costs
• fuel
• flights
• vehicle costs
• temporary rent
• storage
• meals
• work equipment
• relocation costs

If travel costs are high, the lender may consider whether your declared living expenses are realistic.

What if accommodation is provided by your employer?

Employer-provided accommodation can help your cash flow, but lender treatment varies.

The lender may ask:

• is accommodation free or subsidised?
• is it permanent or seasonal?
• does it appear on payslips?
• will it continue after buying a property?
• will your living expenses change after settlement?
• do you still pay rent or board elsewhere?
• will the property you buy become your home?

If accommodation is only provided during seasonal employment, it may not reduce your ongoing living expenses after settlement.

What if you are buying a home away from your seasonal work location?

This can be important.

A lender may ask how you will continue earning the income if the property is far from your work location.

For example:

• you work in regional harvest areas but buy in a city
• you work ski season interstate but buy near family
• you work tourism season in a resort town but buy elsewhere
• you travel for events but buy in another region

The lender may need to understand whether the work pattern continues after buying.

If the new property location changes your employment pattern, the lender may be cautious.

What if you are buying in a seasonal town?

Buying in a seasonal town can create two issues.

The lender may review both your income and the property.

The property may be affected by:

• local tourism demand
• resale market
• valuation comments
• rental demand
• vacancy risk
• remote location
• property type
• reliance on short-stay accommodation

If both your income and the property market are seasonal, the application may need a stronger overall position.

What documents do seasonal workers need for a home loan?

The documents depend on the income type, but may include:

• recent payslips
• year-to-date payslip
• 12 months of bank salary credits
• employment contract
• employer letter
• ATO income statement
• tax return
• Notice of Assessment
• final payslip from previous financial year
• group certificate or payment summary
• evidence of repeated seasonal work
• evidence of off-season income
• evidence of savings buffer
• explanation of income pattern

The more seasonal the income, the more important historical evidence becomes.

What should your seasonal income explanation include?

A clear explanation can help the lender understand the work pattern.

Your explanation may include:

• what work you do
• which months you usually work
• whether you return to the same employer
• how many seasons you have worked
• what you do in the off-season
• whether income is PAYG or self-employed
• whether accommodation is provided
• whether the income is expected to continue
• how you manage expenses during income gaps
• whether the current year is typical

The explanation should match payslips, tax records and bank statements.

How do lenders calculate seasonal income?

Lenders may use different methods depending on policy.

They may calculate seasonal income by using:

• annual income from the latest tax return
• average annual income over two years
• year-to-date income annualised over a shorter working period
• actual income received over the last 12 months
• salary credits over 12 months
• the lower of current and prior-year income
• payslips covering the full seasonal cycle
• a 46-week or 48-week annualisation method
• income excluding one-off seasonal spikes

The safest approach is to use a realistic annual income figure before applying.

10 common mistakes with seasonal income

1. Do not assume a busy-season payslip can be multiplied by 52 weeks.
2. Do not apply with only peak-season income evidence if there are off-season gaps.
3. Do not treat seasonal income the same as ordinary casual income without checking policy.
4. Do not rely on short-term seasonal work with no history.
5. Do not ignore school holidays, crop seasons or tourism shutdown periods.
6. Do not hide income gaps.
7. Do not forget to show off-season income.
8. Do not use undeclared cash income.
9. Do not assume all lenders accept seasonal income.
10. Do not apply without checking whether mortgage insurance applies.

How to improve your chances with seasonal income

Before applying, it helps to prepare the income evidence properly.

Useful steps include:

• collect at least 12 months of income evidence where possible
• keep payslips from peak and off-season periods
• provide tax-ready ATO income statements
• provide tax returns if needed
• show salary credits in bank statements
• prepare a written explanation of your seasonal pattern
• get an employer letter confirming repeat seasonal work
• show off-season income if available
• build a savings buffer
• avoid missed repayments during income gaps
• reduce credit card limits where practical
• compare lender policy before submitting the application

The goal is to show that your annual income is stable enough, even if it is not paid evenly.

Should you wait before applying?

Sometimes waiting can help.

Waiting may improve your options if:

• you only recently started seasonal work
• you have not completed a full season
• you have no prior-year income evidence
• you only have peak-season payslips
• your off-season income is unclear
• your bank statements need to improve
• your deposit is still small
• mortgage insurance applies
• the current year’s income is unusually high

You may not need to wait if:

• you have at least 12 months of evidence
• the income has been consistent across years
• you return to the same employer each season
• off-season income is available
• your savings buffer is strong
• the lender accepts seasonal income

A broker can compare whether applying now or waiting would give you better options.

Example scenarios

Scenario 1: Harvest worker with two years of income

You work harvest seasons every year and have tax returns showing consistent annual income.

Some lenders may consider the income using an annual average.

Scenario 2: Ski resort worker with no off-season income

You earn strong income during winter but have little income during the rest of the year.

The lender may use a conservative annual income figure and may ask how repayments will be managed outside the ski season.

Scenario 3: Tourism worker with summer and winter jobs

You work in summer tourism and winter hospitality, giving you income across most of the year.

The application may be stronger if the income is consistent and supported by bank credits and tax records.

Scenario 4: Christmas casual job

You worked a six-week Christmas casual role and want to use that income for a home loan.

The lender may treat it as temporary and may not use it for servicing unless there is a longer pattern of similar income.

Scenario 5: Relief teacher with school holiday gaps

You work during school terms and are not paid during holidays.

The lender may calculate income based on actual annual earnings rather than one busy term payslip.

Scenario 6: Seasonal worker with savings buffer

You earn most of your income during peak season and save enough to cover off-season expenses.

The savings buffer may help support the application, but the lender still needs acceptable annual income.

So, can you get a home loan with seasonal income?

Yes, you may be able to get a home loan with seasonal income in Australia.

The strongest applications usually have:

• at least 12 months of income evidence
• repeated seasonal work history
• verifiable PAYG or declared income
• realistic annual income calculation
• evidence of off-season income or savings
• clean bank statements
• manageable debts
• suitable deposit or equity
• standard property security
• lender policy that accepts seasonal income

Seasonal income can be accepted, but the application must show annual repayment capacity, not just peak-season earnings.

Need help applying with seasonal income?

A mortgage broker can help compare lenders that may consider seasonal income, casual seasonal work, harvest income, tourism income, ski season income, school-term income and variable PAYG income.

We can review your payslips, bank salary credits, tax records, employment pattern, off-season income, LVR, deposit and borrowing power before you apply.

If your income changes throughout the year and you want to buy or refinance, speak with a mortgage broker who understands how different lenders assess seasonal employment.