Your questions, straight answers

Quite possibly. Short trading history, defaults, ATO debt, no property, paperwork that's behind — each is weighed on its details rather than ruled out automatically. Search your situation in our situation search or scenario library, then tell a real person about yours.

No. There's no credit check when you first enquire. We talk through your situation first, and a credit check only comes up once you decide to go ahead with a specific option.

No. We don't do spray-and-pray. Your enquiry stays with the real person working on it, who matches your situation properly.

A real person who understands business lending. They read your enquiry, call you and talk it through — including anything awkward on your file.

Property-secured business loans run from $20,000 to $5,000,000 through first mortgages, second mortgages and caveat loans over residential or commercial property. Unsecured, cash-flow and line-of-credit options for trading businesses typically run from $5,000 to $500,000, sized on turnover and bank statements.

No. Trading businesses can look at unsecured options sized on turnover and bank statements. Property security opens up larger amounts and helps when trading history is short or credit is bruised.

Often, with property security. Unsecured options usually need more months of bank statements to size a limit. Our pages on three months and six months trading explain the difference.

Past credit issues and ATO debt are considered case by case. Property-secured loans are the most flexible here. Being upfront about what happened and what's changed helps a lot.

Not always. Many lenders work from recent bank statements and lodged BAS for unsecured options, and property-secured loans lean on equity. A plan to catch up on lodgements strengthens your case.

Business purposes only — stock, equipment, business vehicles, fit-outs, wages, tax bills, paying suppliers, refinancing business debt, buying a business or premises, and working capital. Not personal spending.

We don't publish rates. Every loan is priced on the business's own circumstances — security, amount, term and situation — so a rate on a web page would be meaningless. We explain the total cost in dollars before you commit.

It depends on the loan type and your documents. Unsecured options can move quickly once statements are in; property-secured loans involve a valuation and legal work. We'll give you a realistic timeline on the first call.

For the first chat, none — just the basics. If you go ahead, expect ID, recent business bank statements, BAS, your ABN/ACN and details of any property offered as security.

Yes. Sole traders borrow for business purposes all the time. Because you and the business are legally the same person, your personal and business finances are read together.

Yes, with their genuine agreement. They'd usually give a mortgage and guarantee, and independent legal advice is common. Our page on using a partner's property explains how it works.

Because accurate answers — trading months, amount, purpose, credit history, property — are how we match you properly on the first call instead of wasting your time.

We'll explain why and what would change it. Often it's 'not yet' rather than 'never' — more trading history, lodgements brought up to date or security available.