Can I Get a Car Loan with a New Job?

Can I get a car loan if I just started a new job?

Yes — you can get a car loan after starting a new job, but approval isn’t automatic. Most lenders want to see signs of stability, consistent income and the ability to meet repayments. Even if you just started your job but need a loan, some lenders will still consider your application if you can provide enough supporting documentation and demonstrate responsible financial behaviour.

Lenders assess more than just employment length — they look at income consistency, spending patterns, savings history and overall risk.

Employment requirements for car loans

Employment length is a major factor in determining whether you can get a loan. Requirements vary from lender to lender, but here’s what’s commonly expected in Australia.

Full-time and part-time employment

Typically, lenders prefer:

• 3–6 months with the same employer
• Consistent, regular income
• A probation period that doesn’t affect income reliability

Some lenders accept applicants with only 3 months’ work if previous employment was in the same industry.

Car loan casual employment requirements

Getting a car loan with casual employment is possible but may come with stricter conditions. Lenders often look for:

• 6–12 months of consistent casual hours
• Stable weekly or fortnightly income
• Strong bank statement history
• Proof of regular shifts or roster patterns

This helps lenders assess the stability of income for car loans for casual workers.

Self-employed applicants

If you’re self-employed, lenders usually require:

• 1–2 years ABN history
• Tax returns for these years
• BAS statements
• Business activity evidence
• Stable income patterns

Industry experience and job changes

A recent job change may be more acceptable if:

• You are staying in the same industry
• Your income is similar or higher than before
• You can show stable employment history prior to the change

Lenders see this as lower risk than changing industries completely.

What lenders look at besides employment length

Even if your job is new, lenders assess several other factors to determine whether a car loan is affordable.

Documentation for new employees

Common requirements:

• Employment letter or contract
• Recent payslips
• Bank statements showing income
• ID documents

If you’re asking how many payslips for a car loan, most lenders require at least 2–3 recent payslips.

Income verification

Lenders check your ability to meet repayments by reviewing:

• Net income
• Pay frequency
• Extra allowances or overtime
• Multiple income sources

Credit history

Even if your job is new, your credit history matters. Lenders look at:

• Previous loan repayments
• Any defaults or late payments
• Total existing credit limits
• Your credit score trajectory

Other financial factors

Lenders may also consider:

• Savings patterns
• Existing debts or afterpay commitments
• Rent or mortgage obligations
• General spending behaviour

Bank statements

These show:

• Whether your spending is controlled
• Whether income is stable
• Whether you can meet repayments comfortably

This helps lenders understand your real financial situation beyond just employment length.

Options for recently employed borrowers

If you’ve just started a job, you still have several financing options.

Secured vs unsecured car loans

Secured car loans usually offer lower interest rates, but require the car as security. Unsecured personal loans (like Credit24 loans) offer flexibility without tying the loan to the vehicle.

Higher deposit options

A larger deposit can improve your chances of approval by lowering the lender’s risk.

Guarantor possibilities

Some borrowers ask a close family member to support their application. This is a serious financial commitment for the guarantor, so it must be considered carefully.

Personal loans

A personal loan is often a simpler alternative to a traditional car loan — especially for newly employed or casual workers. With a Credit24 personal loan, you receive the funds and can buy any car you choose, without strict secured-loan requirements.

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Car loans for newly employed and casual workers: Other considerations

Casual employment considerations

For car loan casual employment applicants, consistent weekly shifts and stable income patterns matter more than just employment length.

Apprentices and temporary workers

Many lenders consider apprentices if income is stable. Temporary contracts may require additional evidence of ongoing work.

Probation period implications

Being in probation doesn’t always mean rejection — especially if you have strong financial history or experience in the same industry.

Multiple income sources

Secondary income streams — e.g., part-time roles, side gigs — can strengthen your application.

Contract work

Contract workers may need:

• Contracts showing future work
• Consistent historical income
• Strong savings records

Car loan with a new job: How to improve approval chances

Saving for a larger deposit

A deposit reduces risk and shows financial discipline.

Credit score improvement tips

Paying bills on time, reducing credit card limits and checking your report for errors can help.

Debt reduction strategies

Reducing existing debts lowers your overall liabilities and improves affordability.

Documentation preparation

Prepare:

• Employment contract
• Payslips
• Bank statements
• ID documents

Budget demonstration

Showing a clear, realistic budget can reassure lenders you can repay comfortably.

Application process tips

• Be honest about your employment situation
• Provide complete documents
• Explain job changes where relevant
• Apply only for what you need

Getting a car loan with Credit24

Getting a car loan after starting a new job is absolutely possible — especially when you understand what lenders look for and prepare your documents ahead of time. Credit24 considers applicants from a wide range of employment backgrounds, including casual and newly employed workers.

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