Business Records Take Centre Stage for Self-Employed Loans as Commitments Fall

ADELAIDE, South Australia, September 24, 2026 — Brokerage & Co, an Adelaide mortgage broking firm based in Kent Town, has outlined how business records support applications through its self-employed lending service following ABS figures showing a national decline in new dwelling loan commitments, alongside APRA's existing guidance for authorised deposit-taking institutions on verifying self-employed income.

"The latest figures give self-employed borrowers a reason to review the records behind their application, and my focus is on whether those records explain the business's income and cash flow clearly enough for a lender to assess," said Sergio Stefano, CEO and Head Broker, Brokerage & Co.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded 134,225 new dwelling loan commitments in the June 2026 quarter, down 5.4% from the March quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, excluding refinancing.

Released on 14 August, the figures provide the market context for the firm's explanation of business-income evidence and the records used in a self-employed application.

First-home-buyer owner-occupier commitments fell 2.9% to 29,319 over the quarter, while their total value rose 0.2% to $18.4 billion.

Business Records Used in Self-Employed Applications

Brokerage & Co considers accountant letters, business activity statements and business bank records among the documents that can help explain income from self-employment.

The firm also reviews the business structure, cash flow and forward plans to understand the purpose and scope of the borrowing.

That discussion connects the property transaction with the way the applicant earns income, including the records available to describe their position to a lender.

The documents are possible inputs to an assessment, with the evidence required and any lending decision determined by the lender for the particular application.

For a business owner, reviewing the available records gives the broker a basis for identifying information relevant to that application and discussing what else may be required.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority's residential mortgage lending guidance identifies the uncertainty of self-employed income and describes verification using income and cash-flow records, supporting documents and third-party information.

The guidance includes personal and business tax returns, tax assessment notices and independent accounting advice among the information used to assess available income.

APRA also describes adjusting for seasonal or variable income, including circumstances in which a lender considers documented income over several years when assessing the amount available to service a loan.

That verification process gives the documentation discussion a practical focus as borrowers consider their next application following the quarterly lending figures.

Advice Fees, Lender Commissions and Loan Costs

Brokerage & Co charges no fee for its advice, a statement that applies to the firm's advice service rather than every cost associated with borrowing.

Lender fees, government charges and other transaction costs remain separate considerations for an applicant reviewing a loan.

ASIC's Moneysmart guidance explains that mortgage brokers generally receive commissions from lenders and that some also charge fees directly to clients.

The guidance recommends asking how a broker is paid, giving applicants a basis for understanding the remuneration arrangements involved in the service.

Beyond self-employed lending, the firm's first-home-buyer service covers deposit options, grant eligibility and pre-approval.

Its investor lending service supports property investors and portfolio builders, whose borrowing purposes differ from those of a first-home buyer.

As self-employed borrowers prepare their next property application, the firm's review brings together business records, the purpose of the borrowing and the information relevant to a lender's assessment, with its service scope described on the Brokerage & Co website.

About Brokerage & Co

Brokerage & Co Partners Pty Ltd is based at 15 Fullarton Road, Kent Town, South Australia, and operates under ABN 82 692 958 919 as Credit Representative Number 519748, authorised under Australian Credit Licence 384704 held by Finsure Finance and Insurance Pty Ltd.

CEO and Head Broker Sergio Stefano holds a Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking and a Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management.

The firm's services include self-employed lending, first-home-buyer support, investor lending and mortgage reviews for existing owners.

Media Contact

Sergio Stefano
CEO and Head Broker, Brokerage & Co
0411 334 644
hello@brokerageandco.com.au
Contact – Brokerage & Co

Contact Information:

Brokerage & Co

15 Fullarton Rd
Kent Town, South Australia 5067
Australia

Sergio Stefano
+61 411 334 644
https://www.brokerageandco.com.au/