Do Banks Accept Bonus Income for a Mortgage in Australia?

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Yes — most banks do accept bonus income for a home loan in Australia, but every lender treats it differently. Bonus income is one of the most inconsistently assessed income types in the Australian mortgage market. Some banks accept 100%, some accept 50–80%, some average it over multiple years, and others ignore it completely if it fluctuates too much.

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This means two banks can offer borrowing capacities that differ by $50,000–$180,000+ based solely on how they treat your bonus income.

Whether you work in sales, finance, tech, construction, trades, healthcare, retail management or corporate roles, bonus income can significantly increase your borrowing power — but only with the right lender. This page explains exactly how Australian banks assess bonus income, what documentation you need, and how Matcheroo AI identifies which lenders will count more of your bonus income toward your home loan.

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How Banks Assess Bonus Income in Australia

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Australian lenders analyse bonus income with extreme caution because it is variable and not guaranteed.

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Banks consider:

• How long you have been receiving bonuses

• How consistent the bonus amounts are

• How large the bonuses are compared to your base income

• What industry you work in

• Whether bonuses are contractual or discretionary

• Evidence over the past 6–24 months

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The more stable and consistent your bonuses, the higher the percentage a lender is likely to use.

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How Much Bonus Income Banks Will Use for Borrowing Power

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✔ Most flexible lenders:

Accept up to 100% of bonus income
(If consistent for 6–12+ months)

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✔ Moderate lenders:

Accept 60–80%
(Averaged over 6–24 months)

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✔ Conservative lenders:

Accept 50% or less
(Averaged over 12–24 months)

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✘ Strict lenders:

May exclude bonus income entirely if:

• It is too inconsistent

• It fluctuates heavily

• You have not received it long enough

• It is discretionary without evidence

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This is why borrowing power can vary enormously based on lender selection.

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How Long You Need to Receive Bonus Income Before Banks Accept It

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Most lenders require:

• 6–12 months of bonus history

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Some lenders require:

• 24 months of consistent bonuses if amounts vary significantly

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A few flexible lenders may accept:

• 3–6 months if your industry consistently pays bonuses (banking, corporate roles, sales)

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Matcheroo AI determines which lenders suit your bonus history.

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What Documents You Need if You Receive Bonus Income

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Most lenders require:

• Recent payslips

• Year-to-date income summary

• Bank statements showing bonuses received

• Employment letter confirming bonus structure (optional)

• Last 1–2 years’ payment summaries or income statements

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Some lenders also require:

• ATO tax returns (if bonus amounts vary heavily)

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Which Industries Banks Favour for Bonus Income

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Industries with higher acceptance rates:

• Finance

• Banking

• Corporate sales

• Tech

• Mining and resources

• Construction

• Medical & healthcare management

• Professional services

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Industries with lower acceptance rates:

• Retail staff

• Hospitality

• Gig or freelance roles

• Commission-only roles (without base pay)

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Matcheroo AI checks which lenders favour your specific industry.

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How Bonus Income Can Increase Borrowing Capacity

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If a lender accepts 100% of your bonus income, borrowing power can increase dramatically.

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Example:
Bonus income: $20,000 per year
Borrowing power increase: $40,000–$120,000+, depending on the lender

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Bonus income often makes the difference between:

• Borrowing enough to buy

• And failing the bank’s calculator

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Why Some Banks Ignore Bonus Income Completely

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Banks may decline to use bonus income because:

• It fluctuates too much

• It was only recently introduced

• It is purely discretionary

• It is inconsistent year to year

• Your employment structure changed

• Bonus amounts dropped recently

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One bank may ignore your bonus entirely, while another may fully count it — which is why approvals differ dramatically.

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How Matcheroo AI Helps Borrowers With Bonus Income

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Matcheroo AI analyses:

• Your bonus history

• Your industry

• Your employment structure

• Your income pattern

• Your base salary

• Your bonus volatility

• Lender policy differences

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Then it identifies lenders that:

• Accept 100% of bonus income

• Use shorter averaging periods

• Favour your industry

• Offer higher borrowing power

• Are flexible with irregular bonus patterns

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This makes a massive difference in approval outcomes.

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Summary: Do Banks Accept Bonus Income for Home Loans in Australia?

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Yes — but how much they accept varies wildly.

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Banks look at:

• Bonus stability

• Length of payment history

• Industry

• Income fluctuations

• Employer structure

• Documentation evidence

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Borrowing power may differ by $100,000+ depending on the bank.

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Matcheroo AI helps borrowers find lenders that will count the maximum amount of their bonus income, unlocking far higher borrowing capacity.