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 clients apply for over $550 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 specialised funding solutions — connecting you with hundreds of potential financing options you might not find on your own.

As your business finance broker, we 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.

At Smart Business Plans we specialise in business loan broking, 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.

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.

Commercial property loans are typically accessible to both businesses and investors aiming to buy or refinance commercial properties:

• Businesses: Companies seeking to purchase or refinance property for their operations.
• Individual investors: People looking to invest in commercial real estate.
• Property developers: Those involved in commercial property development projects.
• Self-employed individuals: Business owners wanting to buy property for their enterprise.
• Trusts and Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs): These entities can apply for loans to invest in commercial property.
• Partnerships: Business partners jointly applying for a loan to acquire commercial property.

Eligibility often depends on factors like credit history, financial stability, and the property's potential profitability. Lenders typically assess each application based on its individual merits and risk profile.

Yes we help our clients refinance commercial property loans to lower interest rates, access equity in the property, and reduce monthly payments to improve cash flow. Speak to our team to get started.

Asset finance is a type of business funding that allows you to acquire essential business-related equipment, vehicles, or other assets without paying the full cost upfront. Instead of making a large capital expenditure, businesses can spread the cost over time through regular payments. There may also be tax advantages.

Asset finance options include loans, leases, hire purchase agreements, and chattel mortgages. Typically the asset itself serves as security for the finance, which can often result in more favourable terms compared to unsecured loans. The primary benefit of asset finance is that it helps businesses preserve working capital while still obtaining necessary assets for growth and operations.

Asset finance is available to a wide range of applicants. Generally, the following entities can apply:

• Sole traders
• Partnerships
• Companies (Pty Ltd)
• Trusts
• Non-profit organisations

Key eligibility factors often include:

• Australian Business Number (ABN): Most lenders require an active ABN, typically held for a minimum period (e.g., 6–24 months).
• Financial history: Lenders will assess the applicant's credit history and financial statements.
• Industry: Some lenders specialise in particular industries or may have restrictions on certain sectors.
• Asset type: The nature and value of the asset being financed can affect eligibility.
• Business performance: Lenders may look at factors such as time in business, annual turnover, and profitability.

For start-ups or newer businesses, some lenders offer specialised asset finance products, but these may come with additional requirements or higher interest rates.

Asset finance in Australia can be used for a wide range of business-related equipment and assets, including:

• Vehicles & transport: Cars, utes, vans, trucks, trailers, buses, and forklifts
• Construction & mining: Excavators, bulldozers, cranes, concrete mixers, and drilling equipment
• Agricultural machinery: Tractors, harvesters, irrigation systems, and livestock handling equipment
• Medical & dental: X-ray machines, MRI scanners, dental chairs, and ultrasound machines
• IT equipment: Computer systems, servers, point-of-sale systems, and telecommunications equipment
• Office equipment: Photocopiers, printers, furniture, and security systems
• Hospitality & retail: Commercial kitchen equipment, refrigeration, coffee machines, and display cabinets
• Manufacturing: Production line machinery, CNC machines, 3D printers, and packaging equipment
• Renewable energy: Solar panels, inverters, wind turbines, and battery storage systems

Asset finance is typically used for tangible assets that have a clear business purpose and retain value over time. Talk to our team and we can help you work out the best path forward.

We start by doing a deep-dive into your business goals and current situation. Based on our expert business planning checklist, we then get to work, developing your business plan aimed at helping you achieve your goals — be that getting a bank loan, attracting a private investor, getting a business visa related application approved, or simply giving you a roadmap for business expansion and growth.

Our business plans start from $495 ex GST and go up to $2,000+ ex GST depending on your requirements. Talk to our team and we can give you a quote.

Every plan is custom designed for your specific requirements and goals.

Just book a call with our expert team. We'll ask you for the information we need to get started. Typically you'll have your business plan back within just a few days.

A cash flow forecast is a tool business owners and lenders use to estimate the amount of money expected to flow in and out of a business over a specific period, typically 12 months. It's an essential component of financial management for Australian businesses, particularly when considering asset finance or other funding options.

A well-prepared cash flow forecast is invaluable when applying for a loan, so that the lender can clearly see how serviceability can be met, increasing your chances of securing a business loan.

We love accountants, but we often find they approach cash flow projections in a way that isn't ideal for a potential lender. That's why we've worked closely with lenders over the past 15 years to develop our own proprietary cash flow forecast model that most effectively gives the lender the information they want to see, improving your chance of a successful application.