At a glance
| Terms | Flexible, short term |
|---|---|
| Cash-flow lane | Funds in as little as 2 hours |
| Property lane | $20k to $5M in as little as 24 hours |
| Repayments | Fixed, interest-only or capitalised (secured) |
| Cost to apply | $0 |
How short term business loans work
Most business problems are temporary: a slow quarter, a late payment, a seasonal stock build or a one-off bill. A short-term loan solves the problem without saddling you with years of repayments.
Pick the lane that fits. Cash-flow loans for speed and smaller amounts, or property-secured loans for size and flexibility.
Who it suits
- One-off costs with a clear payback
- Seasonal gaps
- Bridging to a refinance, sale or payout
- Owners who hate long-term debt
How it works
- Check eligibility60 seconds online, with no credit score impact.
- We pick your fastest laneProperty-secured (up to $5M, no financials) or cash-flow (bank statements).
- Get a decisionUsually the same business day, with every cost in writing.
- Get fundedIn as little as 2 hours (cash-flow) or 24 hours (property-secured).
What you'll need
- Photo ID
- Your ABN
- Property details or business bank statements
- What the money is for
Not needed: No tax returns or accountant-prepared financials on either lane.
A gym covering a slow winter
A Hobart gym's memberships dip every winter while rent and staff costs don't. A six-month cash-flow loan covered the gap, and it was repaid by the January membership surge.
How a short-term business loan is structured
The term is set by the exit, not by a product menu. If the money is coming back when a contract pays in four months, the loan is built around four months with some room. If it is a sale that will take a year, it is built around the sale.
Interest on short-term secured loans is often charged monthly or capitalised into the loan, and the usual costs are an establishment fee and legal or registration costs. Every one of them is set out in your written offer before you sign. What a business loan actually costs covers each fee, and the questions worth asking about them.
Exits that hold up
The exit is the most important thing about a short-term loan. Lenders weigh it on the evidence behind it.
| Exit | Evidence that makes it strong |
|---|---|
| A contracted payment | The signed contract or invoice, and the paying party’s track record |
| A property sale | A listing agreement, or better, an exchanged contract |
| A bank refinance | An application underway, or a conditional approval |
| Trading cash flow | Bank statements that show the repayments fit comfortably |
| An insurance payout | Written acknowledgement that the claim is accepted |
| A tax refund or grant | The lodged return or the approval letter |
An exit with nothing behind it is a hope, and short-term money against a hope is how short-term loans go wrong. If you cannot point to one of these, it is worth working on that before anything else.
Short term or long term: which is cheaper?
Over the life of the loan, usually long term — when you can get it in time. Short-term finance earns its cost when a deadline makes the slower option unavailable, or when a longer loan would leave you paying interest for years on a gap that lasts weeks.
The two often work together. A short loan meets the date; a cheaper refinance is the exit. That is a well-worn path, particularly after an ATO debt or a supplier pulling credit terms.
Read before you borrow
Frequently asked questions
How long are short term business loans?
Terms are kept short and flexible, set around your need and your exit. We'll agree the term with you before anything is signed.
Can I repay a short term business loan early?
Often, yes. Early repayment terms vary by product, and we'll explain them before you sign.
Are short term loans more expensive?
The rate can be higher than a long bank loan, but you pay it for a much shorter time. The total cost is often lower than you'd expect. We'll show you the full cost in writing.
What can a short term business loan be used for?
Any genuine business purpose: ATO debt, payroll, stock, equipment, a settlement shortfall, a deposit on a contract or a business purchase. The question is less what it is for than what repays it.
Can I get a short term business loan with an ATO debt?
Yes. On a property-secured loan, ATO debt is assessed as context rather than a reason to decline, and clearing it is one of the most common reasons these loans are written.
Does it cost anything to apply?
No. There's no cost to apply or check your eligibility. All costs are set out in writing in your loan offer before you sign anything.
Will checking my eligibility affect my credit score?
No. Our 60-second eligibility check doesn't make a credit enquiry. A credit check is only done later, with your consent, if you decide to proceed.
