Australia's Specialist Business Loan Broker

A secured business loan uses an asset as collateral. This could be commercial property, residential property, equipment, or business receivables. Because the lender has security to fall back on, rates are generally lower and borrowing limits are higher.

An unsecured business loan, however, relies on your business's cash flow and credit profile rather than an asset. Rates are higher as a result, but approvals can happen in as little as 24 to 48 hours. For smaller amounts, this is often the faster and more practical path.

In most cases, I look at both options when assessing a client's situation. The right structure depends on what security is available, how much you need, and how quickly you need to move. Learn more about secured and unsecured business loans.

A working capital loan suits businesses that need a lump sum to cover operational costs, bridge a cash flow gap, or fund short-term growth. Generally speaking, it works well when your business has strong revenue but a timing mismatch between income and outgoing expenses.

For example, a business waiting on a large contract payment might use a working capital loan to keep operations running in the meantime. That said, I always check whether a business line of credit might be a better fit. If your cash flow needs are ongoing and irregular, a revolving facility is usually more cost-effective than a series of term loans.

See working capital loans or compare a business line of credit.

This is one of the most common concerns I hear, and it is worth understanding clearly. Every direct application you make to a lender triggers a credit enquiry. Multiple enquiries in a short period signals financial stress to lenders and can make subsequent applications harder to approve.

Working through a broker protects your credit file because we assess your options before submitting anything. We identify the right lender for your situation and approach them once, with a well-prepared application. Therefore, your credit file is only impacted at the point you are ready to proceed, not during the research phase.

Not at all. Smart Business Plans is based in Queensland and we arrange business loans for clients across Australia. Because the lending process happens over phone, email, and secure document portals, your location has no bearing on what we can access or negotiate on your behalf.

In addition, the specialist lenders on our panel are national businesses. They assess applications based on your financials and loan purpose, not your postcode. So whether you are in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, or regional Queensland, you have access to the same panel of 60 lenders and the same service.

Yes, and this is actually one of the more common situations we work with. A decline from one lender does not mean the deal cannot be done. In many cases, it simply means the application needs to go to a different lender with a different credit policy, or it needs to be structured differently.

When a client comes to us after a decline, I first look at why the original lender said no. Sometimes it is a serviceability issue that can be resolved with better financial presentation. Sometimes the lender was simply not the right fit for that loan type, industry, or security position. As a result, we often find a path that the original lender could not offer. Book a free consultation to discuss your situation.

It depends on the loan type and the lender. Specialist lenders on our panel can approve and fund unsecured facilities within 24 to 48 hours of receiving a complete application. These are typically smaller amounts, often under $250,000, with minimal documentation required.

Major bank facilities, particularly those secured by property, generally take two to four weeks from application to settlement. This is because the assessment process is more thorough and often involves formal valuations. For most clients, I give a realistic timeline at the start of the process once I know which lender we are targeting. That way there are no surprises.

Yes, although your options narrow the newer your business is. Most mainstream bank lenders want to see at least two years of trading history and financial statements. However, a number of specialist and non-bank lenders on our panel will consider businesses with six to twelve months of trading history, provided your bank statements show consistent revenue.

Furthermore, the loan structure matters. Equipment finance, for example, is often more accessible for newer businesses because the asset itself provides security. Invoice finance may also be available if you are issuing invoices and have a debtor ledger. In my experience, the key is matching your business profile to the lenders who have an actual appetite for your situation, rather than applying broadly and collecting declines. Talk to us about your options.