Freelancer Finances: How Lara Built Credit Without a 9–5 Job
Freelancer Finances: How Lara Built Credit Without a 9–5 Job Lara, a 30-year-old graphic designer from Melbourne, had been freelancing for over 5 years — living comfortably but without a traditional salary. When she tried to apply for a home loan, she was shocked: lenders didn’t “see” her income clearly. More importantly, she had no established credit file. 💼 The Problem: Self-Employed ≠ Trustworthy? Most lenders prefer stable PAYG employees. Freelancers like Lara are viewed as risky unless they show consistent income, tax returns, and — crucially — good credit history. 📈 Step 1: Show Consistent Income Created a dedicated business account with Up Bank Issued invoices via Rounded (freelance accounting tool) Saved all tax returns & BAS statements (2 years minimum) 💳 Step 2: Build Credit Without a Pay Stub Applied for a $1,000 secured credit card via Wisr Used it for business expenses (Adobe subscription, Canva, etc.) Paid in full every month — ne...