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Personal loans for casual and part-time workers
You've got options. A good credit rating, regular income and proof you can save money can help you get approved for a personal loan.
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What is the difference between a part-time and casual employee?
Both casual and part-time employees work across all industries, including office work, hospitality and even government work. For any industry, these employees:
| Part-time employees | Casual employees |
|---|---|
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Is it harder to get a personal loan if you're a casual employee?
Getting a personal loan as a casual employee is generally more difficult than it is for full-time employees. This is because:
Your hours aren't stable
Casual employees do not have guaranteed working hours and therefore no fixed salary. While some weeks you may work 50+ hours, other weeks you may work no more than 10. This means that your weekly earnings fluctuate, which could potentially make meeting repayments difficult, at least in a lender's eyes.
You're not entitled to sick pay or annual leave
If you choose to take a holiday, or are forced to take time off for illness, you would not be entitled to any pay. For a lender, this can be viewed as risky as it could affect your ability to meet repayment obligations.
Tips to get approved for a loan if you work casually
Some casual workers may find it easier to access loans than others, because they are deemed to be less of a risk by lenders. Here are some things casual workers can do to help them appear less risky:
- Work for a year, then apply. Banks and lenders view people in casual employment as less of a risk if they have been employed at the same place for at least 12 months. This is partly because after 12 months of casual employment you have the right to ask your employer to be classed as a part-time worker. However, some lenders only require six months of steady employment to approve you for a loan.
- Get a letter from your employer. Much of the risk associated with lending to casual employees is the fear that they could stop receiving work. By providing a letter from your employer that confirms your employment and ensures the lender that there's no reason this arrangement shouldn't continue in the future, it could help your application.
- Make your repayments on time. In March 2014, new credit reporting reforms were introduced to give lenders more detailed information of your credit history. Now lenders will be able to see if you have made repayments to banks and other lenders on time.
- Don't apply for multiple loans. Lenders are able to see any credit accounts and loans that you apply for and if you make multiple applications in a short space of time you may appear to them as an irresponsible borrower.
- Save. If you can show evidence of your savings to a lender, they may be more inclined to give you a loan. For example, if you are looking to buy a car and need a $5,000 loan and have $2,000 saved in a high interest savings account, the lender may see you as less of a risk.
- Apply with your own bank. Your own bank will have more concrete evidence of your spending and saving history than what is shown on your credit report and if this history is positive then you may be more likely to secure a loan.
- Consult an accountant. An accountant will be able to help you keep track of your tax returns, savings and spending. They'll have a record of everything so when you apply for personal loans, all the documentation is already there.
- Provide loan security. If you own an asset of value, such as your home or a vehicle, offering this as loan security could help you to get approved more easily and/or allow you to access a lower rate loan. Offering security reduces the risk to the lender. This is because they can repossess the asset should you default on the loan.
If you're a casual worker, the best way to secure a loan is by doing your research and comparing what is out there before you start applying.
Is it harder to get a personal loan if you're a part-time employee?
Getting approved for a personal loan if you are in part-time employment might not be as difficult as if you are a casual worker, because you have fixed hours and a fixed income.
However, you might still find it trickier than a full-time worker to be approved, or to qualify for the amount you want. This is because:
Your income doesn't meet the lender's requirements
Part-time employees, generally speaking, are paid less than full-time employees. Some lenders have minimum income requirements on their personal loans, and if your salary doesn't meet the requirement, you might not qualify for the loan.
Tips to get approved for a loan if you work part-time
If you're employed part-time, you will have more loan options. Here are some tips on getting your application across the line:
- Check the minimum income. As your employment is considered more stable, you will just need to ensure you meet the minimum income criteria with regards to employment requirements. This is usually around $15,000-$20,000 p.a.
- Have you been working for at least 3 months? Many employers require you to be working at least three months as this shows your employment is stable, and in some cases, that you're out of your probation.
- Receive your pay into your bank account. Along with payslips, this will be a way for lenders to check your income against the information you provide in your application. If you are paid in cash, make sure you deposit this into your bank account or get payslips from your employer to be able to prove your income.
- Get in touch with the bank if you're unsure about eligibility criteria. This is the best way to check anything before submitting your application and reduces the risk of having a rejected application listed on your credit file.
Under new legislation, existing casual workers employed by small businesses on 27 March 2021 can also make a request to convert to permanent at any time from 27 March 2021 if they are eligible. For more information, please visit fairwork.gov.au.
What criteria do you need to meet to be approved for a personal loan?
The majority of lenders require you to be in permanent/full-time employment in order to obtain finance. However, some lenders' minimum criteria just requires you to earn a regular income or requires that you meet a minimum annual income. For example, some personal loan terms and conditions state you must be "in regular paid employment" but there is flexibility within the criteria.
Take a look at some personal loan options for part-time and casual employees below:
What do you do if you can't get a personal loan?
There are a couple of options available to you if you're a casual employee or self-employed, and are struggling to get approved for a personal loan.
Short term loans
If you are in need of a loan to cover a short term cash shortfall and you don't meet the criteria for a standard personal loan, a short term loan is another option you can consider. However, it's important to keep in mind that short term loans are much more expensive than personal loans from banks and have to be repaid over much shorter terms.
Short term loans are small loans that are used to cover unexpected expenses or if you need a smaller loan amount for less than one year. These loans require evidence of regular pay, but casual workers who are paid the same each week by working regular hours may still be eligible. These loans are for durations of 16 days to 1 year and are for amounts of $100 to $2,000, but higher amounts up to $5,000 are also available.
Guarantor loans
Getting a guarantor loan for your personal loan if you're a part-time or casual worker could also be an option. A guarantor is someone who is legally responsible for meeting your repayments should you default on the loan. Usually, guarantors are required to be homeowners with good or excellent credit scores.
So, if you have a friend or close family member who meets this eligibility and is willing to go guarantor on your behalf, it may improve your chances of having your personal loan application accepted. If you're a part-time employee, it may also help you to access a greater amount of funding than your salary would normally allow.
As casual and part-time employees, what can a personal loan be used for?
Personal loans for casual and part-time workers can be used for almost any legitimate purpose. Usually, this purpose will have to be disclosed to your finance provider during the application process. Legitimate reasons for taking out a personal loan include:
- Wedding
- Holiday
- Car purchase
- Car repairs
- Home renovation/improvement
If you're unsure as to whether your loan purpose will be considered "legitimate" it's a good idea to speak to your provider prior to submitting an application.
Short term loans available to casual and part-time employees
What documentation is required?
If you're a casual employee or employed part-time, the following documentation will be required when applying for a personal loan:
- Proof of ID
- Details of and proof of address
- Proof of employment (you may also be required to have been in your current role for 3, 6 or 12 months)
- Proof of income
Additional documents you may need to provide:
- A letter from your employer
- Details of your guarantor
- Details of loan security (e.g. a vehicle or other asset of value)
Do you really need a loan today?*The right loan will depend on your needs and situation, so starting a comparison using the table above can help you narrow down your choices.
You can click through to the review pages from the table above and once you've found a loan you're eligible for and that you want to apply for, click "Go to Site" to submit your application.
Picture: Shutterstock
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Hi I’m looking to get a loan of 10,000. I have been working for my current employer full time for over a year. My only problem is they pay me cash. Is there anyway that I could get the loan with payslips and a letter from my boss confirming my employment?
Hi Jack,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Yes, there is. It’s good to note that each lender will set out their criteria separately and it’s always important to make sure you meet the eligibility before apply. For this reason, I suggest that you check personal loans, compare them and directly get in touch with your chosen lender to confirm with them if you are eligible for their loan or not.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
My son works part time. Has been there for a few years now. He lives at home with me. Needs a car loan of $5000. He has no credit history. What are his options?
Hi Karen,
Thanks for reaching out to us.
You’re actually already on the correct page to compare your options.
You may click on your preferred loan on this page to see more details and click on ‘Go to Site’ button to submit an online application
Before applying for any loan, please ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria and requirements of the loan option or lender and make sure to read the details, as well as the relevant PDS/ T&Cs of the loan option before making a decision and consider whether the product or option is right for you.
Cheers,
Rench
I’m a casual shift that is working a minimum of 15hrs – 25hrs+. So i’m wondering if it’s possible to get a $36,000 loan. Been working at this place for almost 10months now.
Hi Tai,
Thanks for your question.
If you are a casual employee, some of the lenders above may consider you for a loan, subject to other eligibility criteria. To learn more about the eligibility criteria and requirements to apply for a particular loan product, feel free to visit its review page. If you are ready to apply, just click the ‘go to site’ button.
Cheers,
Anndy
I work at a small gas station as part time working 24 hours a week. Could I take out a small loan ?
Hi Dixie,
Thanks for your question.
You can review the criteria and requirements and discuss your loan options with a lender listed above. There are also lenders that offer short-term loans that you can compare.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
May
Hi i want to apply for a loan of 60 000 please and iam a temporary on year contract which sure next week i will be permanent
Hi Tshego,
You can find lenders that consider casual and part-time applicants on the page above, but as you’re on a temporary contract you will need to get in touch with the lender to confirm your eligibility. Whether or not you’re approved for a loan as high as $60,000 will depend on your ability to manage the repayments.
I hope this helped,
Elizabeth