Refinance

What documents do you usually need to refinance?

Prepare the current loan, income, property, debt and identity details commonly needed for a refinance review.

Updated: 29 July 2026
Read time: 7 min read
Reviewed by: emoney broker team

Key checks before you decide

Reviewed by emoney broker team. Updated 29 July 2026. Sources are listed below.

Prepare identity, income, current-loan, debt, expense, asset, and property details for the first broker review.
Separate the initial broker documents from lender-specific requests so you do not over-collect.
Explain income changes, debt restructuring, cash-out, separation, or business structures early.
Use secure upload channels for statements, tax records, ID, and other sensitive documents.

In this guide7 sections

Gather the core refinance documents Give the broker enough to assess the direction Prepare income evidence by borrower type Show expenses, debts, assets, and repayment conduct Have property and insurance information ready Expect extra documents in complex situations Keep documents secure and current

Gather the core refinance documents

Refinance document requests vary by lender, borrower type, property and loan purpose. Most reviews still cover the same core areas: identity, income, current home loan, property, living expenses, debts, assets and the reason for refinancing.

Treat this checklist as a preparation guide, not a promise that every lender will ask for the same file. A straightforward PAYG refinance can look very different from a self-employed borrower, an investment property, a debt restructuring request, or a refinance that involves cash-out for renovations.

Give the broker enough reliable information to understand the current loan and the reason for the review. Once the likely lender requirements are clearer, the checklist can be narrowed to documents that inform the decision.

A good document pack also makes the first conversation less vague. Instead of asking whether refinancing might be possible in theory, the broker can look at the actual loan, income, debts, and property details that shape the next step. Note the statement dates so the broker can see which items may expire before submission.

Photo ID and basic personal details.
Recent payslips, tax documents, business documents, or other income evidence.
Current home-loan statements, repayment amount, lender name, and rate type.
Credit-card limits, personal loans, car loans, buy now pay later accounts, and other debts.
Property address, estimated value, and insurance or strata details where relevant.

Broker note

Give the broker enough to assess the direction

A broker does not always need the full lender pack to tell you whether a refinance is worth investigating. Provide enough information to understand the current loan, income position and goal, then confirm the exact lender checklist before lodging anything.

The opening review needs to answer three questions: what loan do you have now, what are you trying to change, and could anything in the income, property, debt or credit position affect lender assessment?

Sharing that context early can prevent a common delay: discovering late in the process that the requested amount, property value, income evidence or debt position does not match the goal. From there, the broker can investigate repricing, restructuring, waiting or a full refinance application.

Current lender, balance, repayment, rate type, and fixed-rate end date if one applies.
Income type for each borrower, such as PAYG, self-employed, casual, commission, or rental income.
Reason for the review, such as repayments, fixed expiry, cash-out, debt restructuring, renovation, or investment planning.
Any recent change in job, business income, relationship status, credit conduct, or property plans.

Prepare income evidence by borrower type

PAYG borrowers are usually asked for different evidence than business owners or borrowers with variable income. The documents need to verify the income and show whether it is stable enough for the refinance purpose.

Income is where many refinance files split into different document paths. A salaried borrower may only need recent employment evidence, while a contractor, casual employee, commission earner, business owner, or investor may need more history and a clearer explanation of how the income is earned.

If your income recently changed, do not hide that until the lender asks. A new role, parental leave, reduced hours, stronger business year, lower business year, or changed rental income can all change the way a broker prepares the file.

PAYG employees may need recent payslips and sometimes bank statements or a payment summary.
Self-employed borrowers may need tax returns, financial statements, BAS, business bank statements, or accountant details.
Casual, overtime, bonus, commission, and rental income can need extra history.
Centrelink, child support, or other income may need specific evidence depending on lender policy.

Show expenses, debts, assets, and repayment conduct

A refinance is still assessed against your financial position. Credit limits, personal debts, living expenses, savings, offset balances, and repayment history can all affect whether a lender will assess the application comfortably.

Borrowers often focus on the current home loan rate, but lenders also look at the wider household picture. Credit-card limits, personal loans, car loans, HELP debt, buy now pay later facilities, and regular commitments can reduce borrowing capacity even when the current mortgage has always been paid on time.

Assets and savings matter because they help explain the overall position. Offset balances, emergency savings, shares, other properties, and genuine savings history can all help a broker understand the file before choosing which lender policies are worth checking.

Bank statements for transaction, savings, and offset accounts where requested.
Statements for credit cards, personal loans, car loans, leases, HELP debt, or other liabilities.
Evidence of savings, shares, other properties, or other assets where relevant.
Clear notes for any unusual one-off expense, missed payment, or recent change.

Have property and insurance information ready

The property is part of the lender's security review, so address details and ownership information matter. If the loan is for an investment property, rental income, tenancy details, council rates, strata, and insurance may also be requested.

A refinance assesses both the borrower and the property used as security. The final valuation can affect loan-to-value ratio, LMI risk, available equity and which lenders will consider the application.

For investment properties, the supporting information can be wider. Rental statements, lease details, managing agent information, strata costs, insurance, council rates, and ownership structure can all help explain how the property fits the refinance.

Property address and ownership details.
Estimated value or recent valuation information if available.
Rental statements or lease details for investment properties.
Building insurance, strata, council rates, or land tax details where requested.

Next step

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Watch out

Expect extra documents in complex situations

Some refinances need more context before a broker can assess the options. Debt restructuring, cash-out, separation, guarantor changes, trust structures, business income, or multiple properties can all add document steps.

Complex does not mean the review should stop. It means the purpose and evidence need to be clearer before lender selection. A debt restructuring refinance, for example, should show the debts being paid out, the reason for restructuring, and how the new structure affects the total cost and repayment behaviour.

Separation, title changes, business structures, trusts, SMSF borrowing, and guarantor changes can require legal, tax, or other specialist advice. Raise those issues with the broker early so the loan file is not treated like a simple rate switch.

Do not assume every lender will accept the same income or cash-out evidence.
Debt restructuring may need statements, limits, payout figures, and a clear purpose.
Separating borrowers may need legal, title, or payout details.
Trust, company, or SMSF structures need specialist checking before lender selection.

Broker note

Keep documents secure and current

Bank statements, payslips, ID, and tax documents should go through the secure upload process your broker provides. If the review takes time, some documents may need refreshing before lender submission.

Refinance documents contain the kind of personal information that should be handled carefully. Ask where documents should be uploaded, who can access them, and whether anything sensitive needs to be removed before it is sent.

Document currency matters as well. If the review starts early but the lender application happens later, statements, payslips, or loan details may need to be refreshed. That is normal, but it is easier when the first pack is organised and the borrower keeps track of what has already been supplied. Keep the original files available in case a scan is unclear or incomplete.

If a document is missing, say so early. A broker can often explain whether it is needed for the first review, whether a substitute may be acceptable, or whether the refinance should wait until the evidence is cleaner.

Use the secure document process provided by the broker or lender.
Avoid sending sensitive ID or statements through casual message threads.
Check whether documents are recent enough before lodging.
Ask which documents are needed now and which can wait until lender selection.

Calculator next step

Refinance savings calculator

Compare the current loan with a new-rate scenario and see whether switching costs may be recovered.

Best for: Deciding whether a refinance is worth a broker review before starting lender work.
What it calculates: Current repayment, new repayment, estimated switching costs, monthly difference, and rough break-even.

A broker still needs to check discharge costs, valuation, features, cashback rules, income, documents, and lender policy.

Open Refinance savings

Sources used

ASIC MoneySmart home loans
ASIC MoneySmartofficial sourceChecked 29 July 2026
ASIC MoneySmart switching home loans
ASIC MoneySmartofficial sourceChecked 29 July 2026
ASIC MoneySmart mortgage switching calculator
ASIC MoneySmartofficial sourceChecked 29 July 2026
ASIC MoneySmart using a mortgage broker
ASIC MoneySmartofficial sourceChecked 29 July 2026

General information only

This guide is general information and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. A broker can review your circumstances before any recommendation.

Next step

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