Business loan questions, answered straight.

> How much can I borrow for my business?

Most Australian businesses can borrow somewhere between $5,000 and $5,000,000, but your number is set by three limits: the security you can offer, the repayments your cash flow can carry, and what the money is for. Without property, trading businesses typically access $5,000 to $500,000 based on turnover and bank statements. With property security, loans from $20,000 to $5,000,000 are possible.

> How long does a business loan take in Australia?

It depends on the route and how complete your information is. A straightforward unsecured loan can often be assessed within days once bank statements and ID are in. Property-secured loans add a valuation, legal documents and settlement, which commonly adds more time. Bank loans for larger amounts are often slower again. The biggest variable is usually missing documents or unanswered questions, not the lender.

> What do lenders look at when I apply for a business loan?

Business lenders look at six things: cash flow and bank statement conduct, the purpose of the loan, how it will be repaid, security (if any), credit history for the business and its owners, and how long the business has traded. Existing debts, including ATO arrangements, are checked alongside. No single item decides the outcome — lenders weigh the whole picture, and different lenders weigh it differently.

> Can I get a business loan with bad credit?

Often, yes. Bad credit doesn't automatically rule out a business loan. Lenders consider defaults, late payments and past insolvency case by case, looking at how long ago problems happened, whether debts were paid, what caused them and how the business trades now. Property security usually gives the most flexibility, because the lender can rely on the asset as well as the business's current performance.

> Can I use a business loan to pay a BAS or tax bill?

Yes. Paying a BAS, GST, PAYG or income tax bill is one of the most common uses of a business loan in Australia. It can stop the ATO's general interest charge compounding, which from 1 July 2025 is no longer tax deductible, and prevent escalation. Whether a loan beats an ATO payment plan depends on comparing total cost in dollars and how each option fits your cash flow.

> Will checking my business loan options affect my credit score?

Enquiring with us doesn't affect your credit score, because there's no credit check when you first enquire. A credit check usually happens only when you decide to proceed with a formal application, and that can add an enquiry to your credit file. Enquiries generally stay on a credit report for five years, and many applications in a short time can make lenders cautious, so it pays to talk first and apply once.