Getting a Home Loan as a FIFO or Contract Worker
Christian Stevens, Mortgage Broker
Published November 28, 2025, 3:50 P.M
FIFO or contract worker struggling to get a home loan? Learn how lenders assess your income, the challenges, solutions, documents required, and how Flint brokers secure smarter approvals.
Share:
🔑 Key Facts
- FIFO (Fly-In Fly-Out) and contract workers often face additional scrutiny because lenders perceive their income as less predictable than standard PAYG roles.
- Key approval factors include length of employment, ongoing contract viability, industry stability, and consistency of income deposits.
- Certain lenders have dedicated policies for non-standard income, FIFO rosters, and ABN/contractor structures, while mainstream banks may apply income shading or require long employment history.
- Flint brokers specialise in positioning non-traditional income applicants, helping to strengthen serviceability and reduce lender hesitation.
- Upfront documentation and pre-approval strategy significantly increase approval success for FIFO and contract applicants.
Why Home Loans Can Be Tricky for FIFO and Contract Workers
Even FIFO and contract workers with high annual incomes still experience challenges because most banks benchmark applicants against a “standard” full-time employment model.
Traditional lender concerns include:
- Income predictability: Will the contract continue?
- Ongoing employment: Is the FIFO roster permanent or rotating?
- Cash flow stability: Are there seasonal fluctuations or long gaps between shifts?
Lenders assess not just current income, but also future earning certainty, which is why preparing the right evidence — and selecting the right lender — is critical.
How Lenders Assess FIFO and Contract Income
When evaluating a FIFO or contract worker, lenders typically look at:
- Type of employment:
Whether you’re full-time FIFO, on a fixed-term contract, ABN contractor, labour-hire, or casual rostered worker (e.g., 2:1, 8:6, 14:7). - Length of employment:
Many lenders prefer 6–12 months in your current role, but some accept shorter periods with strong industry history. - Industry strength:
Mining, healthcare, oil & gas, trades, engineering, and logistics tend to score well due to strong demand and contract continuity. - Contract gaps:
Frequent breaks, long downtime, or inconsistent rosters may lead to income shading (e.g., 20% reduction) or stricter assessment rules.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Key challenges FIFO and contract workers face:
- Income variability: Changing rosters, overtime, and contract cycles create uneven deposits.
- Higher scrutiny: Lenders examine payslips, tax returns, and ongoing work evidence more closely.
- Limited lender options: Not all banks support FIFO income, labor hire, or short-term contracts.
- Income shading: Some lenders reduce assessed income by 10–30% for perceived volatility.
Solutions that improve approval outcomes:
- Use a mortgage broker who knows which lenders accept FIFO, contract, or ABN income without heavy shading.
- Prepare documentation upfront: Employment contracts, roster details, payslips, group certificates, and bank statements proving consistent deposits.
- Manage timing: Applying near contract expiry may weaken your application — pre-plan your approval window.
Smart Lending Strategies
Tips for a smoother and stronger loan application:
- Lock in a longer-term contract or contract extension before applying.
- Save a higher deposit or reduce debts to improve serviceability scores.
- Demonstrate employment continuity across multiple contracts within the same industry.
- Select lenders with proven experience working with FIFO rosters, contractors, and multi-employer income structures.
- Highlight industry strength and provide evidence of ongoing demand for your role.
Specialist Lenders vs Mainstream Banks
Feature | Specialist Lenders | Mainstream Banks |
Acceptance of Contract Income | Very High | Moderate / Policy Driven |
FIFO Roster Flexibility | Excellent | Limited |
Income Assessment Method | Case-by-Case | Policy-Based |
Income Shading | Minimal | Common (10–30%) |
Document Requirements | Flexible | Strict & Standardised |
Tip: Flint brokers know exactly which lenders accept FIFO rosters (2:1, 7:7, 8:6), self-funded ABN workers, short-term contracts, and labour-hire employment — helping avoid unnecessary declines.
📞 Working on Rotation? We'll Help You Buy Smarter
Being FIFO or contract-based should never stop you from owning a home or building wealth. With the right lender strategy, non-standard income can be presented just as strongly as traditional PAYG.
Flint’s mortgage brokers:
- Analyse and position FIFO or contract income for maximum lender acceptance.
- Access flexible lenders who routinely approve non-traditional workers.
- Provide tailored strategies to strengthen serviceability and reduce risk flags.
- Help you achieve faster, smarter, and more confident approvals — regardless of your roster or contract type.
Chat with Australia’s leading mortgage brokers today and let Flint help you secure your next home or investment property with confidence.
Recommended Articles
Home Loans
Downsizing with Confidence: Financial Tips for Over-50s
Aug 18, 2025
Home Loans
Unlocking Financial Potential for Senior Executives: Leverage...
Aug 18, 2025
Home Loans
The Essential Guide to Deposit Bonds: What Homebuyers and...
Aug 18, 2025
Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe and be the first to know about what’s happening in the market.
Contact Us Today
Learn more about how we can help you achieve your financial goals.
Don’t worry, there’s no commitment. Strategic guidance guaranteed.