Frequently asked questions

Founded in 2008 by Nadine & Chris, we’ve had the privilege of helping over 3,300 Australian business owners achieve their goals. In that time, we’ve helped our client apply for over $350 million in funding. We started this business because of the challenges we could see business owners facing in navigating the complex world of business planning and finance. That has been our north star ever since. 

As a family owned and run business, we care about our clients and their success. It’s our goal to have you want to become our client for life. 

Proud members of the MFAA (Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia) and Loan Market Group Australia. 

A business finance broker acts as an intermediary between your business and multiple lenders, helping you secure the most suitable financing options for your specific needs. Unlike going directly to a single bank, we have access to a wide network of traditional banks, alternative lenders, credit unions, and specialist finance providers. We assess your business situation, credit profile, and financing requirements, then match you with lenders most likely to approve your application at competitive rates. As finance brokers we handle the entire application process, from initial consultation through to settlement, saving you time and improving your chances of approval. We can secure business loans, equipment finance, commercial mortgages, working capital facilities, and specialized funding solutions – connecting you with 100’s of potential financing options you might not find on your own.

As your business finance broker, can help secure virtually every type of commercial financing, including unsecured business loans, secured business loans, equipment finance, vehicle finance, invoice factoring, merchant cash advances, commercial mortgages, development finance, trade finance, and working capital facilities. We can also arrange specialised funding like franchise finance, medical practice loans, professional services funding, construction loans, bridging finance, and asset-based lending. We have over 15 years experience across many industries including healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and retail, allowing us to understand your unique requirements. Whether you need $10,000 for inventory or $10 million for expansion, we can identify appropriate lenders and structure deals that match your business model, cash flow patterns, and growth objectives.

Going directly to a bank limits you to that institution’s products, criteria, and interest rates, while a broker provides access to multiple lenders simultaneously. Banks often have rigid lending criteria and may not fully understand your industry’s specific needs.

Business finance brokers offer personalised service, industry expertise, and can compare options across their entire panel of lenders. They understand each lender’s preferences, speed of processing, and hidden requirements that aren’t publicly advertised. Brokers also provide ongoing support throughout the application process and can negotiate on your behalf. If one lender declines your application, brokers can quickly pivot to alternatives without you starting the process from scratch. Additionally, brokers often have established relationships with lenders that can result in preferential rates and terms not available to direct applicants.

At Smart Business Plans we are specialise business loan brokers, saving you time and hassles, while also helping you avoid getting the wrong loan product. Because we’ve helped more than 3,300 Australian business owners, we have a deep understanding of the complexities you face, not just in finding the best-fit financial products, but in navigating the application process successfully as well. 

That’s why we’ve developed a unique, all-in-one service for our clients, which includes enhancing your business loan application with a business plan and 3 year cash flow projections when needed by the lender. It’s very rare (if ever) to find a finance broker that provides this level of expertise, care and support for their clients. 

You should always call us before you speak directly with a lender. If you start an application process directly with a lender it may affect your credit score, which may affect the rates and terms other lenders are willing to offer. It’s always advisable to speak to us first, so we can assess the market and make sure we’ve found the right loan before we start the application process. 

Most reputable business finance brokers work on a commission basis, meaning you typically pay nothing upfront, or charge a nominal engagement fee that is fully refundable on loan settlement. Brokers typically receive their fees from the lender once your loan settles, usually ranging from 0.5% to 2% of the loan amount depending on the complexity and size of the deal. For commercial property loans, fees might be calculated differently, often as a flat rate or percentage of the loan value. Some brokers may charge an application or assessment fee for complex deals, but this should be clearly disclosed upfront. The key advantage is that brokers can sometimes negotiate better rates and terms than you could achieve independently, meaning their service frequently pays for itself through improved loan conditions and interest savings over the life of your loan.

At Smart Business Plans we do not generally charge you for our business loan brokering services (in the case of a fee being required, we would advise you up front so you have the option to accept). This is because we are generally compensated by the business lender via commission. 

If you choose to use our business loan application enhancement services (which includes writing your business plan and cash flow projections if required by the lender), we will advise the cost for this up-front.

Having been based in the beautiful Northern Beaches of Sydney for many years, we now reside in the stunning Gold Coast region. That said, we serve all Australian business owners nationwide. Geography should not be a barrier to you getting the best business finance for your needs. That’s why we’ve been an online business for the past 15 years – making sure everyone has access to our services.

Engaging a business finance broker is generally straight forward, although some brokers will only work with clients that meet certain criteria. Smart Business Plans helps clients all over Australia, of all types and sizes, across all business finance requirements. Unlike a residential mortgage broker, we specialise in business finance which requires expert skills and experience.

Give our team a no obligation call on 1300 262 098 or book a meeting directly using the ‘get started’ button. Then tell us what you need, and your current situation. We’ll get to work, talking to lenders, exploring our marketplace, and bringing you back the best business loans to suit your needs. We’ll work through the pros and cons of different options, and once you’ve selected the one you want, we help you through the application process all the way to settlement. 

Our goal is to make the process of getting business finance as simple as it can be, while getting you the best outcome at the same time.

It’s our goal to have you want to be our client for life. Post settlement, we’ll send you a checklist to ensure your loan is set up correctly. From there, we’ll check in with you in a few months to see how you’re tracking, and if you need any further help. 12 months after your settlement date we’ll check to see if there are any options on the market that would make refinancing worth considering. 

We’re also here to help you put a cash flow forecast in place, keep it maintained, and write your business plan if needed.