Best Short Term Business Loan Lenders - Get Up To $1m
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If one of our loan products suits you, confirm by phone to get approved and receive your funds. These fast business loans can be funded in as little as 4 hours.
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See Loan Options"In a cash flow crunch, time is critical. Businesses often accept the first loans they find, not the best. Our system changes this by instantly comparing 80+ options, ensuring you secure the best possible terms without delay."
— Andrew Beckett, Head of Broker & Third-Party Distribution
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A Guide to Short Term Business Loans
When applying directly to non-bank lenders, the industry average approval rate for a small business can be as low as 35%. This increases to around 60% when going through a broker. When opportunity strikes or working capital tightens, you cannot afford that level of uncertainty. This guide removes the guesswork, showing you how to secure the right business funding with confidence and speed.
Updated: 11/7/2025
Australian Business Loans: Short Term Lending at a Glance
When you need business capital, it is important to understand the lending landscape for various loans.
Below are key statistics from our own data that provide a snapshot of the Australian market for these types of loans.
- Median Loan Amount: $140,000
- Typical Loan Purposes: Fund expansion, Refinance ATO debt, Purchase vehicles, Refinance existing facilities, and Consolidate existing facilities.
- Frequently Funded Industries: Retail, Hospitality, Construction, Wholesale, Engineering
How This Type of Funding Works
A short term loan provides a lump sum of capital to solve an immediate problem or seize a time sensitive opportunity, like purchasing discounted stock. Unlike traditional finance that can last for many years, these are designed to be repaid quickly. Here is a clear breakdown of their typical features for your small business:
- Available Funding: Generally range from $10,000 to $1,000,000+
- Loan Repayment Terms: Typically range from 3 to 60 months, offering flexibility.
- Flexible Repayment Plans: Repayment schedules can be structured weekly, fortnightly, or monthly to align with your business's cash flow.
- Unsecured Business Loans: In most cases, no physical asset like property is required for these loans.
- Tax-Deductible Loans: The interest and fees on these business loans may be tax deductible. It is recommended to consult with your accountant for specific advice.
Factors Impacting Your Interest Rate
A provider's primary goal is to assess the financial risk of these loans. A lower perceived risk will always result in more competitive rates. The most critical factors affecting your credit are: Business Financial Health, Business Credit History, Bank Statement Review, Industry & Economic Factors, and the Loan Amount & Term.
Eligibility: An Application Checklist
What does your small business actually need to get approved for these loans? Below is a list of common requirements providers look for. Knowing these helps you understand if your business is in a strong position to apply.
- ABN Requirements: You need an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and must be registered as a Sole Trader, Company, or Trust.
- Minimum Trading History : You will need to show a minimum of 6 months in business operation.
- Business Revenue : You need to show a demonstrable annual revenue of at least $75,000, which indicates consistent ability to service a loan.
- Director Identification : A valid Australian driver's licence or Passport is necessary for identity verification of the directors.
- You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Your Questions Answered
You can, but the risks are significant. The industry average approval rate is low, and each direct application can harm your credit score. Using a matching platform mitigates this risk by identifying the most suitable option first.
Yes. Many modern providers specialise in assessing newer businesses for business loans. You will typically need to demonstrate at least six months of consistent trading and show a healthy business bank account through your bank statements.
Significantly. Providers view a trading history of 3+ years as a strong indicator of a flexible business, which often qualifies you for more competitive rates and higher loan amounts.
Your industry can be a major factor. Some providers specialise in specific sectors like construction or hospitality, understanding their unique cash flow patterns, which can influence their decision.
Completing our initial questionnaire to see your options does not impact your credit score. A hard credit check is only performed when you decide to proceed with a formal submission with your matched provider.
3 Ways to Get the Best Deal on Your Short Term Business Loans
Have Your Director's ID Ready
Preparation is key for rapid approval. A clear photo of the front and back of your driver's licence is a standard requirement for verification and having it ready saves significant time.
Articulate a Clear Loan Purpose
Be ready to explain exactly what the funds are for and the expected benefit. For example: "I need a $25,000 quick business loan to purchase a container of discounted stock, which I can sell for a $15,000 profit." This clarity builds provider confidence.
Provide Secure Bank Account Access
The fastest way for a provider to verify your income and financial health is through a secure digital link to your business bank account. This has become a standard, highly efficient part of the modern lending process that accelerates approval.
How Data-Driven Matching Works For You
Processing thousands of applications for business loans a month gives us unparalleled insight into what providers are looking for, increasing your chances of success.
Top Industries We Fund
Our data shows the top industries we successfully fund are Retail, Hospitality, Construction, Wholesale, and Engineering, each with unique needs our network understands.
Most Common Loan Purposes
Our data shows the top reasons businesses secure these loans are strategic, including funding expansion, refinancing ATO debt, and purchasing key vehicles.
Plan Your Loan with Our Calculators
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Yes. A personal guarantee is a promise from the director that if the business cannot repay the debt, they are personally responsible. Because an unsecured loan is not backed by a physical asset, this is a standard requirement for almost all unsecured loans in Australia.
While larger amounts are achievable if the business is otherwise very strong, a more typical loan size for a healthy business with a managed ATO debt arrangement would be in the $75,000 to $150,000 range. Providers need to see that the business can comfortably service all its obligations.
Policies on early repayment vary significantly between providers. Some may charge a fee, while others do not. It is a critical question to ask your potential provider or broker before you sign any agreement, especially if you anticipate being able to pay the loan off ahead of schedule.
It depends on the asset's lifespan. These types of loans are ideal for opportunities with a quick return, like buying stock. For long-term assets like vehicles or heavy machinery, a dedicated asset finance solution with a longer term (e.g., 3-7 years) is usually more appropriate as it aligns the loan life with the asset's useful life.
What Happens After Your Loan Approval
The final steps for your fast business funding are simple and digital. You will receive documents for your loans to review and sign electronically. Once signed, the funds are transferred directly to your nominated business banking account, often on the same business day.
Andrew Beckett, Head of Broker and Third Party Distribution
Andrew Beckett is a finance executive with extensive Fintech expertise. As Head of Broker and Third Party Distribution at Lend, he fostered key partnerships, including COG aggregation and CAFBA. With prior sales roles in various fintech and finance companies, Andrew has been instrumental in transforming Australia's financial market, shaping new lending practices in the commercial lending space.
Phil Druce, Chief Operations Officer
Phil Druce leads the company’s technology and operations. With 20 years of experience in technology businesses, Phil has consistently driven growth through strategic planning and execution. Since 2016, he has been dedicated to creating technology-driven products and services at Lend, optimising processes, and delivering outstanding client experiences.
Stories From Successful Short Term Business Loans
Gym Owner Needed $100k The Same Day
Client : Dean, Gym Owner
After being let down by another lender, Dean faced a critical deadline, needing $100,000 to pay for a gym fitout that same day. Understanding the urgency, we acted immediately, securing full approval and funding within just four hours. This exceptional speed meant Dean could pay his supplier on time, kickstart the project without costly delays, and repay the facility over the next two years.
Bank Rejected $600k, We Funded It.
Client : Julian and Mikey, Hospitality Business Owners
Successful publicans Julian and Mikey were ready to expand by fitting out a newly leased venue. However, their bank declined their $600,000 application due to an existing ATO position, putting the project at risk. We looked beyond this single factor, securing the entire $600,000 over 60 months. This allowed them to proceed with the fitout and continue the strong growth of their hospitality group.
$150k Line Of Credit For Whole Food Business
Client : Arjun, Wholefood Retailer
To scale his successful wholefood business, Arjun needed capital to negotiate better trading terms and bulk-purchase stock. We organised a flexible $150,000 line of credit that he can draw down and repay in line with his income cycles. This facility gives him the immediate purchasing power to improve margins and is structured to grow with his operations over the next 24 months, providing a true long-term growth platform.
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