Can You Get a Home Loan on a FIFO Contract or in a New Job?
Contract, casual, ABN or a new site? Here is what lenders commonly look at when your FIFO or mining work is not a permanent salary, and how to make it easier.
The short version
- Yes, you can often get a home loan on a contract, as a casual or in a new role. It can just take more evidence, and fewer lenders may suit.
- Many lenders like to see 6 to 12 months of steady earnings in a casual or new role. Some are more flexible, so it pays to ask.
- If you work through an ABN, lenders often look at you more like a self-employed borrower, using tax returns and sometimes your contracts.
- Changing from permanent to casual or contract work just before you apply can reset the history a lender wants to see.
- Talk to a broker before you change jobs or apply. Richard doesn’t charge you a fee. He’s paid by the lender.
Many people in mining and FIFO work are not on a permanent salary. You might be on a fixed-term contract, working through an agency, or on a new site with a new employer. It is a fair question: will a lender look at that work and say yes? Here is what commonly matters.
Contract, casual or permanent
Fixed-term contract
Many FIFO workers are on fixed-term contracts, and some lenders see an end date as a risk. Others take a more practical view, because they know skilled mining workers often find new work. A lender may ask to see your current contract.
Casual
Lenders commonly want to see 6 to 12 months of steady earnings in the role. They also differ on how they average casual pay over the year.
ABN contractor
If you are paid through an ABN, lenders often assess you more like a self-employed borrower. That usually means tax returns, and sometimes your contracts.
A new job or a new site
Some lenders ask for a minimum time in your job, often 6 to 12 months, but not all do. If you have been in the role less than a year, or your tax return does not yet cover a full year, you may be asked for your employment contract as well. Rules about probation vary from lender to lender, so ask about that early.
Think before you change jobs
If you are planning to move from permanent work to casual or contract work, timing matters. A change shortly before you apply can reset the history a lender wants to see. If you can, talk to a broker first, so you can decide the best order of things. We cannot tell you whether to take a job. We can tell you how it might look to a lender.
How to make it easier
- Keep your payslips, your contract and your payment summary together.
- Ask your employer for a letter that confirms your roster and your allowances, if a lender asks.
- Show year-to-date totals so the pattern of your pay is clear.
- Avoid taking on new debts before you apply, including buy-now-pay-later accounts.
It also helps to understand how lenders count FIFO and mining income.
Get the FIFO and Mining Home Loan Checklist
A simple checklist and worksheet to get your roster, pay and documents ready before you talk to a lender.
Send me the checklistWe will email it straight to you.Sources and when we checked
Checked on 28 October 2026. Sources: Everstone Finance, “FIFO and Mining Home Loans in Australia (2026)”; Home Loan Experts, FIFO worker home loan page. Lender policies differ and change, so confirm with a broker or lender. This article is general information only and is not personal advice. Lending is subject to each lender’s criteria, and approval is not guaranteed.
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This article is general information only and does not take into account your personal financial situation, needs or objectives. Consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. Figures and rules can change, so always check the latest details with the relevant authority.
Richard Morris is a Credit Representative (CRN 570376) of Strategic Mortgages Perth (ACR 570592), authorised under Connective Broker Services Pty Ltd (Australian Credit Licence 389328). This is not tax or legal advice. Please speak to your accountant or solicitor about your own situation.