You've just started working for yourself as a subcontractor — no longer on the books as a PAYG employee.
Whether you're a sparky, chippy, or operator, you're now trading under an ABN.
And now you're wondering:
“Can I still get a car loan even though I just became self-employed?”
✅ Yes — but you’ll need to know which lenders support newly self-employed tradies.
🔍 Why Going ABN Can Make It Harder… Temporarily
Traditional lenders often want:
- 1–2 years of ABN income
- Filed tax returns
- BAS or GST registration
That makes life hard when you’ve just made the switch.
But the truth is — many tradies work for the same builder or site, just under a different payment model.
And some lenders get that.
🔧 Job Change Scenarios That Still Work for Car Finance
If you’ve moved from PAYG to subcontractor with no real job change, you may be eligible:
- 🔧 Switched from PAYG to ABN – same job, same company
- 📈 Eventually move to PAYG again – still covered
- 🛠️ Casuals converted to full-time – similar pathway
All these routes are explained in our main job change car finance hub.
📄 Documents That Help ABN Tradies Get Approved
✅ Copy of your ABN registration
✅ Invoices or payslips from the same employer
✅ Bank deposits showing regular payments
✅ Previous PAYG payslips from the same company (if applicable)
✅ Optional: Statement from the builder/site confirming your role
Lenders want to see that while your payment structure has changed, the work hasn’t.
⚠️ Avoid Big Banks That Require Tax Returns
If you’ve only just gone ABN, most major banks will flat-out reject your application.
✅ Use our 30-second eligibility checker to get matched with lenders who accept newly self-employed tradies.
📌 Final Thought
Just switched to ABN as a subcontractor? Don’t wait 12 months — get your car loan sorted now while your work and income stay consistent.
👉 Start your eligibility check here and get connected with a lender that understands the trades.
DISCLAIMER
The information provided on this website is general in nature only and has been prepared without considering your financial needs, circumstances and objectives and should NOT be construed as financial, taxation or legal advice. For more information, get in touch with our experienced partner brokers today.
