Small business loans can look quite different depending on who you go with, one lender might offer a lower rate, another a more flexible structure, or a loan built for your specific purpose.
When comparing, look at the interest rate, fees, loan amount, term, repayment frequency, security requirements and eligibility criteria, and whether the finance is for something specific or usable more broadly.
We’re a comparison service, not a lender, and don’t cover every business loan on the market. Rates, fees and eligibility all vary between lenders.
A small business loan is finance that helps cover expenses, manage cash flow, or fund growth. Depending on the product, you might get a lump sum to repay over an agreed term, or a credit facility you draw from as needed.
Business finance can be secured or unsecured. A secured loan uses an eligible asset, property, equipment, vehicles, and can open up different rates or terms. An unsecured business loan generally doesn’t need collateral, though a lender may still ask for a personal guarantee.
How much you can borrow, and on what terms, comes down to the lender’s read on your revenue, trading history, cash flow, existing debts and credit profile.
It really depends on what you’re trying to do with the money. Some of the more common uses:
Before you borrow, work out what you actually need and how repayments would sit within your normal cash flow.
There’s no single standard borrowing amount. Our business loan calculator lets you explore scenarios from $5,000 to $1 million, with terms from 1 to 7 years. These are calculator ranges, not a guarantee that every lender offers those amounts or terms.
Depending on the lender and loan product, repayments may be structured weekly, fortnightly or monthly. The frequency can affect how the repayments fit into your cash flow, so consider how often your business receives income and which schedule is easier to manage.
The amount you may qualify for depends on factors such as your business revenue, trading history, cash flow, existing debts, credit profile and the lender’s criteria. Start with what your business actually needs rather than automatically borrowing the maximum available.
Every lender runs its own process, but a few things tend to matter across the board:
No single factor guarantees anything. The lender weighs your application against its own criteria.
Small businesses make up a huge chunk of Australia’s business landscape. The ABS reported 2,814,778 actively trading businesses at 30 June 2026, including 996,203 employing businesses.
Actively trading businesses grew by 85,130, or 3.1%, in 2025–26, the largest annual gain in years, useful context for the scale of Australia’s small-business market.
| Business Measure | 2025–26 / June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Actively trading businesses | 2,814,778 |
| Employing businesses | 996,203 |
| Business entries | 460,461 |
| Increase in businesses | 85,130 |
| Business entry rate | 16.9% |
| Business exit rate | 13.8% |
Choosing between the two usually comes down to your circumstances, and whether you’re comfortable putting an asset up as security.
Secured loans are backed by an eligible asset. Because the lender has that security, these loans can come with different rates, terms or limits than unsecured finance. Unsecured loans generally skip the asset requirement, handy if your business doesn’t have much to offer, though they can come with higher rates or shorter terms.
Worth remembering: an unsecured loan can still involve a personal guarantee. Unsecured doesn’t automatically mean no personal liability.
A handful of steps make this a lot less overwhelming:
Getting the right finance for your business doesn’t have to be complicated. Compare your options, check the repayments and prepare your application with confidence.
Use our business loan calculator to test different loan amounts, terms and repayment options to see what may fit your cash flow.
Compare small business loan options from 40+ lenders and explore rates, terms, fees and features that may suit your business needs.
Get your key business information ready, including your ID, ABN, bank statements and financial details, depending on the lender.
Choose an option that suits your business and complete the application with the required information and documents.
The lender reviews your application and, if approved, provides the funds according to the agreed loan terms.
Finding the right business finance takes time when every lender has different products and requirements. We help you start that research in one place.
Our tools help you research and compare. They don’t guarantee approval, and won’t tell you a loan is definitely right for your business, that call is still yours.
It varies between lenders and depends on revenue, trading history, cash flow, credit history, existing debts and security. A business loan calculator is the quickest way to explore different scenarios.
Not always. Some loans are secured against an eligible asset, while unsecured loans generally skip that requirement, though a personal guarantee may still be asked for.
Some lenders will consider newer businesses, others want a longer trading history. It depends on the lender, so check the eligibility criteria for each option.
Yes, plenty of products can be used for working capital and everyday expenses. What you’re allowed to use the funds for depends on the lender and product.
Depending on the lender, you may need:
A business loan usually gives you a set amount repaid over an agreed period. A line of credit gives you an approved limit you can draw from as needed, and you generally only pay interest on what you’ve used.
Compare small business loan options, estimate repayments, and explore finance from participating Australian lenders to better understand your funding options before applying.
