If you’re thinking about buying your first home but also considering a new job, you’re probably wondering: “Will changing jobs affect my chances of getting approved?”
The short answer: it can — but not always.
Here’s the easy breakdown.
1. Why lenders care about your job stability
Banks want to know that your income is reliable and consistent, because that tells them you can manage your repayments.
When you change jobs, lenders look closely at:
- Your employment type (full-time, part-time, casual, probation)
- How long you’ve been in the new role
- Whether you’ve stayed in the same industry
- Your income level and stability
It doesn’t mean you can’t get a loan, but lenders may ask more questions or require extra documents.
2. Changing jobs before applying: is it okay?
It depends on the situation.
✔️ Usually fine if…
- You moved to a similar role or same industry
- You’re full-time or permanent part-time
- Your income is stable or increasing
- You’ve passed probation or you have strong employment history
Many lenders are comfortable lending even if you started last week — as long as it’s stable employment.
⚠️ More difficult if…
- You switched to casual employment
- You changed industries completely
- Your income has dropped
- You’re still in probation and have short work history
- You rely heavily on bonuses, commissions or overtime
In these situations, some lenders may need 3+ months of payslips before approving a loan.
3. Changing jobs after applying: trickier
If you’ve already applied for a loan (or you're mid-way through approval), changing jobs can slow things down because:
- The bank must reassess your income
- You may need to provide new payslips
- Probation can raise concerns
- It can affect borrowing power
It doesn’t always stop you from getting approved, but it can cause delays or require re-approval.
If you can, it’s usually easier to delay your job change until after settlement.
4. So… should you change jobs before getting a loan?
If the new job offers better pay, more stability, or keeps you in the same industry, it’s often totally fine — and may even help your borrowing power.
But if the job change means:
- Casual hours
- Lower income
- A brand-new industry
- Being on probation for months
…it might be worth waiting until after you’ve secured your home loan.
A quick chat with a broker can tell you exactly how the change will affect your borrowing power — before you make any big decisions.
