Your First Home Loan Document Checklist

It's Sunday night. You've found a place in Tarneit you both love, and the open is Saturday.

Then it hits you. If this goes well, someone is going to ask for paperwork. And you have no idea where last month's payslip went.

Good news. The documents a lender asks for are pretty predictable, and gathering them takes an afternoon.

Why the paperwork matters more than you think

A lender has to check what you tell it. That's part of Australia's responsible lending rules, so your income, savings and debts all need proof behind them.

When something's missing, the file stalls, sometimes for weeks.

And timing matters right now. The Reserve Bank announces its next decision on Cup Day, Tuesday 3 November, at 2.30pm. Whatever it does, having your papers sorted means you can get your number re-run quickly instead of scrambling.

Proving who you are

Lenders usually ask for 100 points of ID. The common mix looks like this:

• A photo ID. Usually your driver licence or passport.
• A second document. A Medicare card, birth certificate or another photo ID often fills the gap.
• The same for both of you. If you're buying together, each applicant needs their own set.

Check the expiry dates now. An expired licence is a surprisingly common hold up.

Proving what you earn

• Payslips. Most lenders want your two most recent, and they need to be current. Some ask that the latest is no more than about six weeks old.
• Casual or part time income. Expect to show a longer history, so the lender can see your hours are steady.
• Self employed. Usually your last two years of tax returns and notices of assessment, sometimes business financials too.
• Other income. Things like Centrelink payments or a second job need their own proof.

Every lender has its own list, so treat this as the usual starting point rather than the final word.

Not sure where you sit? That's exactly what we sort out in a first conversation. Book a chat and we'll tell you what your situation needs before you start digging.

Proving your savings and debts

Bank statements tell the lender two things. That your deposit is real, and how you actually spend your money.

• Transaction statements. Often three to six months, for every account you use.
• Savings statements. Showing your deposit building up over time.
• Debt statements. Recent statements for credit cards, car loans, personal loans and buy now pay later accounts.
• Your rental ledger. Some lenders like to see a clean history of rent paid on time.

Here's a small tip. Statements run to the end of each month, and October closes on Saturday. A full, tidy month of statements is easier to read than a half month in the middle of a messy week.

The ones people forget

These catch first home buyers out all the time.

• Your credit report. You can request a free copy from each credit reporting body every three months. Checking for errors before you apply is far easier than fixing them during an application.
• HECS or HELP balance. Your myGov account shows the current figure.
• Super statements. Handy if you've used the First Home Super Saver scheme.
• Gift letters. If family is chipping in, a lender will usually want it in writing.
• The contract of sale. Not needed for pre-approval, but essential once you've signed.

If you're using a government scheme, like the 5% Deposit Scheme, the lender also checks you meet its rules. That can mean an extra form or two.

One folder, two people

The easiest system we see is one shared folder, with a subfolder each.

Save everything as a PDF from your banking app or employer portal. Screenshots tend to get sent back.

Then set a reminder to drop in each new payslip as it lands. That way your folder stays current, and you're never more than a few minutes away from being ready.

Ready before the decision

We've helped over 100 first home buyers into the market, and the ones who move quickest are rarely the ones with the biggest deposits. They're the ones with their folder sorted.

The rate decision on Cup Day might change your number. It won't change the paperwork.

When you're ready to see where you stand, book a chat. We're rated 10/10 on Reviewr by over 100 customers, and we'll walk you through what your lender is likely to ask for.

Let's get you into a home.

Figures verified 27 October 2026 against the Reserve Bank of Australia 2026 meeting schedule, the OAIC guidance on free credit reports, and published lender document checklists.