Skip to content

Applying for a Small Business Loan in Australia

Finance that works for you. Apply for a business loan in 7 minutes and get a decision within 24 hours.

  • Up to $250,000 with no asset required
  • Credit decisions within 24 hours
  • No penalty for early repayment

Business Cash Flow Loans | Moula

Apply for a business loan in 7 minutes and get a decision within 24 hours.

Business Cash Flow Loans | Moula

Help with cash flow

Access working capital to keep your business running smoothly.

Purchase inventory

Scale your business with new tools, inventory, or equipment.

Pay For Overheads | Business Loans

Pay for overheads

Cover operating costs, including staff, utilities, and other bills.

Pay ATO Debt | Moula

Repay debt

Refinance business debt into manageable repayments.

Our business loan

  • Borrow $5,000 – $250,000
  • 12 – 24 month loan terms
  • No asset security required

  • Apply online in 7 minutes
  • Credit decisions within 24 hours
  • No penalty for early repayment

Request a callback

Leave your details and a business lending specialist will be in touch. Alternatively, if you’d like to chat to someone right now you can give us a call on 1300 88 09 72 or use live chat.

Mobile or landline incl. area code

By getting started you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions

Thank you!

We’ve received your details. One of our business lending specialists will contact you shortly.

Something went wrong.

Please contact our customer support team on the phone or live chat.

We look after our customers,
but don’t take our word for it

White Clover | Backed by Moula

Watch how White Clover created an Australian-first service

Scratch | Backed by Moula

Discover how Scratch built a business for pup and planet

Easy to apply.
Simple as 1, 2, 3.

Apply for a business loan online in just 7 minutes, by following these three easy steps:

1
Business Loan Details | Moula

Get started

Complete some basic business and personal information to get started.

2
Link Business Data | Moula

Link your data

Link your online banking or accounting data, and we’ll determine how much we can lend.

3
Get Business Funds | Moula

Get funds fast

Once approved, provide us with your preferred business bank account, and we’ll have the funds to you fast.

Am I eligible?

To get started, all you need is:

  • An active ABN or ACN
  • 6+ months in business
  • $5,000+ in monthly sales
  • GST registration 1

Apply now

Have questions? Our friendly team is available
on 1300 88 09 72 weekdays 9am - 5pm AEDT

Want to skip ahead?

This guide is broken down into the following sections. Click a link if you want to skip ahead.

What is a Business Loan?

A business loan is a financial tool designed to provide businesses with the necessary capital to fund various operations, from start-ups to expansions. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, business loans offer a range of financial solutions tailored to your specific needs. In Australia, there are many business loan options available, catering to businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Why Compare Business Loans?

Just as every business is unique, lenders offer a diverse range of loans, each with its distinct terms, repayment options, and costs. While some lenders might quote with a Simple Interest Rate, we present your offer using APR (Annual Percentage Rate). These two can paint very different pictures of the actual cost of the loan. Simple interest might show you the basic cost of borrowing, whereas APR gives a comprehensive view, factoring in fees and other charges.

Some lenders might hit you with early termination fees if you decide to pay off your loan ahead of schedule, adding an unexpected expense. Whether you’re considering secured or unsecured loans, it’s crucial to compare to ensure you’re getting a deal tailored to your financial situation. After all, understanding the nuances between different lenders and their offerings can empower you to make an informed decision.

  Business loan from Moula (APR) Business loan from other lender (annual simple rate)
Loan amount $50,000 $50,000
Term 2 years 2 years
Quoted interest rate 18.95% APR 18.95% annual simple rate
Interest expressed as APR 18.95% APR 33.55% APR
Fortnightly repayment $1,158 $1,325
Total cost of credit $10,252 $18,891

How do Business Loans Work?

Small business loans are pretty straightforward, but there are 6 important components that you need to be aware of:

Principal

This refers to the total amount being borrowed

Interest rate

The rate (%) at which you will repay your loan to the lender

Term

The length of your loan

Repayment frequency

How frequently you must make your repayments i.e. daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly

Fees or Charges

Additional expenses you must pay on your loan. Your lender should always be upfront about these

Credit score

Lenders use your credit score (or credit rating) to decide whether to give you credit or lend you money. Knowing this can help you negotiate better deals, or understand why a lender rejected you.

Why Choose Moula for Your Small Business Loan?

  • Borrow up to $250,000
  • No security required
  • No early termination fee
  • Rates starting from 15.99%

  • Moula’s been around for over 10 years
  • Trustpilot score excellent
  • Helped thousands of Small Business Owners in Australia

Understanding Interest Rates: How Do They Affect Repayments?

Risk based interest rates

Unsecured business loan interest rates are risk based because they are not secured to any underlying asset. The better your business, the better the rate. With unsecured loans from Moula, there are no hidden fees and charges. Also, no fees for direct debits or early repayment. Often, these small business loans are used to boost working capital and cash flow.

Loan term

Selecting the right loan term is just as important as the interest rate, because it significantly impacts the repayment rate (affordability) and the total amount repaid (total cost of the loan).

Loan example of $50,000 at 15.99% to highlight the difference between affordability and total cost.

  12 months 18 months 24 months
Repayment amount $2,086 $1,445 $1,126
Total amount repaid $54,236 $56,335 $58,552

The interest rate on your business loan plays a crucial role in determining your monthly repayments. A higher interest rate means you’ll repay more over the loan term. It’s essential to understand whether you’re getting a fixed or variable interest rate, as this can impact your repayments and the total loan amount.

Also, check out our business loan calculator for an estimate of payments and total loan cost.

How to Apply for a Business Loan

Get started in just 7 minutes with our streamlined online application process for a business loan.

Step 1

Fill in some basic information about your business and yourself. It’s the initial step where we confirm your business details and get to know a little bit about your business – quick, uncomplicated, and secure.

Step 2

We’ve made it incredibly easy for you to link your data. Connect your online banking platform, and let our system do the heavy lifting. We’ll swiftly assess your data to determine the loan amount we can offer. It’s a seamless connection designed for your convenience and speed.

Step 3

Get funds fast. Once approved, simply tell us where you want the funds, and they’ll be in your preferred business bank account before you know it. At Moula, we understand business momentum. That’s why we’ve cut out the red tape, so you can focus on what you do best – running your business.

Ready to apply? Here’s what you’ll need for the application process.
  $5K - $150K $150K - $250K
6 Months Bank Data Yes Yes
Accounting Data Yes Yes
ATO Portal No Yes
Property Security No No
A small business owner working on a woodworking project

The Importance of Cash Flow in Loan Applications

Cash flow is a critical factor lenders consider when assessing your loan application. Because security isn’t taken, cash flow is the best way to determine business viability and ensure they are able to repay the loan. A healthy cash flow indicates your business’s ability to repay the loan. Ensure your financial statements reflect a strong cash flow to increase your chances of loan approval.

Types of Business Loans: Which One is Right for You?

There are various types of business loans available, from term loans to lines of credit. The right loan for your business depends on your needs, whether it’s for working capital, business expansion, or purchasing equipment. Research each loan type to determine which is best suited for your business goals.

Traditional bank term loan

This is what comes to mind when most people think of a business loan from a bank. With a bank term loan, you will need to complete a lot of paperwork. Besides the application, you will be required to provide financial statements and possibly a business plan. Being a secured loan (requiring collateral), the interest rate will be lower. As a term loan, you will have a regular monthly payment. The main drawback of a traditional bank loan is the time it takes to get approved, which can be up to two months. Another challenge is that banks in Australia reject 74% of small businesses that apply for these types of loans (DFA SME Report).

Business credit cards

Business credit cards are a popular form of small business finance in Australia. Although the interest rates can be high for business credit cards, most offer an interest-free period (usually 55 days) on charges. So if you pay off the amount within 55 days of the charge, you don’t pay any interest. When applying for a business credit card, the provider will want basic details such as income and length of time in business. They will also check your credit report and score to determine your creditworthiness. Sometimes, business owners use personal credit cards for business finances. This can be a simpler form of business finance if it’s not possible to get a business credit card. However, it’s a good idea to keep your business and personal finances separate, so this option can bring some challenges with it.

Business Overdraft

With a business overdraft, you are allowed to run a negative balance on your regular transaction account up to a predetermined amount. You pay interest on any funds that are overdrawn from your account. In addition to the interest on funds used, you will be charged fees. These include an establishment fee and a regular accounting fee. Business overdrafts are available in secured and unsecured forms, with different interest rates reflecting varying levels of risk to the lender.

Business line of credit

With a business line of credit, you get approved to borrow an agreed amount but only pay interest on what you use. For example, if your bank approves a line of credit for $100,000 and you only use $50,000, you will only pay interest on the $50,000 you are using. This gives you the flexibility to use the money only when you need it. You can also repay the loan at your own pace. Business lines of credit usually start at a $50,000 minimum, so if you are looking to borrow a lower amount, a business line of credit won’t be an option for you.

Business equity loan

A business equity loan can be in the form of a loan or line of credit which is secured against residential or commercial property. Several advantages of a business equity loan are that you can borrow up to 100% of the value of a residential property used as security for the loan and get a competitive interest rate. The biggest shortcoming of this type of loan is that your property is at risk if you get into financial difficulties and cannot make the payments.

Low-doc or no-doc business loan

If you don’t have financial statements and proof of income for the previous two years, a low-doc loan could be the solution. If you can’t provide proof of income, a no-doc loan might be suitable for meeting your business finance needs. Low-doc and no-doc loans are backed by residential property. The main drawback of these loans is higher interest rates due to the increased risk to the lender. Low-doc and no-doc business loans are usually provided by specialist non-bank lenders such as Liberty. Approval times for these types of loans can vary from a few days to weeks.

Unsecured business loan

These types of business loans are growing in popularity in Australia due to the ease and speed of getting them. Some fintech lenders specialise in helping small-to-medium businesses get the finance they need without having to go through a complicated lending process. When applying for an unsecured online business loan in Australia, the lender safely and securely analyses your finances, including banking transactions, along with other information to determine how much you can borrow. Compared to many other business loans in Australia, the process is quick and straightforward. Learn more about online business loans from Moula.

Invoice financing

If you don’t want to wait to receive money from your customer invoices, you can work with an invoice finance company to receive the funds sooner. When you create an invoice, you ‘sell’ it to an invoice finance company. They pay you a percentage of the total invoice value (80% to 95%) immediately and charge an advance fee (usually between 2% and 5%) of the invoice amount. When the customer pays the invoice, you get the remaining funds, minus any fees and charges.

Secured vs. unsecured Business Loans: What's the Difference?

An unsecured business loan doesn’t require collateral, while a secured business loan requires you to offer an asset as security. Unsecured loans might have higher interest rates due to the increased risk for lenders. Secured loans are backed by collateral that has been pledged by the borrower. Depending on the type of the loan, collateral for a secured loan can include residential, rural or commercial property, machinery, equipment and vehicles. It’s essential to understand the differences and decide which option is best for your business.

Navigating Business Loans Across Australia

Business loans in Australia cater to a diverse range of businesses. Whether you’re in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or a rural area, there’s a loan product tailored to your needs. Research and compare lenders to find the best fit for your business.

Traditional bank loans vs. online business loans

Getting a business loan can be a long and complex process. With a bank loan, for example, you will have to complete a large amount of paperwork and might need to provide complex documents, such as a business plan. In addition, research has uncovered that banks reject 74% of small business loans applications.

Fortunately, there are more suitable finance options available if you have an existing business that’s been operating for at least six months. At Moula, our application process is paperless and it won’t take weeks to process. You can apply online in minutes and we can have an answer for you within 24 hours. Plus, we specialise in unsecured loans, which means no collateral is required.

Business Loan Basics

There are many uses for a business loan. You may want to grow your business, improve your cash flow, or purchase inventory.

When looking for business finance, many credit products are available, including term loans, business overdrafts, a line of credit, business credit cards or equipment finance. Some of the key questions to ask include:

  • What is the interest rate? Is it a fixed rate or variable rate?
  • What are the loan terms?
  • What are the repayments like, and will I be able to repay the loan?
  • What are the terms and conditions?
  • Are there any hidden fees, including early repayment fees?

If you’re a business owner, you probably don’t have time to complete large amounts of paperwork and then wait weeks for a response. That’s why we make it easy to apply for a business loan. Instead of requiring you to complete loads of paperwork and supply a business plan, you can complete a business loan application online in under 7 minutes. Once you link your business data, we can assess your application in real-time and can provide an answer within 24 hours.

It can take 6 to 8 weeks to get an answer when applying for a traditional bank business loan. But in a fast-moving business environment, sometimes you need business funding fast. This could be to buy discounted stock, cover a short-term cash flow shortage, or purchase equipment. We’ll help you get quick access to business finance when you need it, without the long wait. Once approved, funds are transferred to your account by the next business day, letting you get on with growing your business.

Some business lenders will charge fees, such as administration fees, direct debit fees, and early repayment fees. These fees can add up significantly, and if you weren’t aware of them when you applied, can really inflate the cost of your business loan. When considering the cost of finance for your business purposes, be sure to read the fine print to understand what fees you are being charged.

At Moula, we have no hidden fees. You can crunch our numbers with our loan calculator and see exactly what your repayments will be. We also don’t have any early repayment fees, which means you can repay early anytime with no penalty or charges.

Business Loan FAQs

To be eligible for a loan, you will need to have:

  • An ABN or ACN
  • Been in business for at least 6 months
  • At least $5,000 in monthly sales
  • GST registration

You can borrow between $5,000 and $250,000. When you apply, we’ll let you know how much we’re able to lend based on your business’ data.

With Moula, there are no hidden fees and no hassle. We charge a 2% establishment (upfront) fee, but there are no transaction fees, and no penalty for early repayment. You pay back what you borrowed (principal) plus interest. Our interest rates range from 15.99% – 35.99% APR. We provide a very clear loan schedule setting out repayments and timing.

Check out our business loan calculator where you can get a clear picture of how much you’ll pay for the amount you wish to borrow, and download a sample repayment schedule for yourself.

A big difference between Moula and other lenders is that we don’t charge any sneaky additional fees whatsoever. We keep our pricing totally transparent, so you know exactly how much our loans cost.

Check out our business loan calculator where you can get a clear picture of how much you’ll pay for the amount you wish to borrow, and download a sample repayment schedule for yourself.

You can apply online in under 7 minutes, and will get a decision with 24 hours. If your loan is approved, the funds will be in your account within 24 hours.

By linking your business data to your application, we can view your transaction data and make a decision within 24 hours; much faster than banks, which can take 6 to 8 weeks to process an application.

Unlike a traditional loan, we’ve also eliminated the fine print, hidden fees, and complex paperwork. This means you understand what’s going on at every stage, and know exactly what your loan agreement means. We’re here to help grow your business, not hold it back.

Once you’ve told us who you are and given us to access your business data, we can make a responsible lending decision based on factors such as business profile, time in business, and transaction volume.

Yep, as with traditional lenders, we’ll check your credit score to help us make a responsible lending decision. We’ll always ask your permission before running a credit check.

Not much. Once you’ve permissioned us into your banking or accounting data, we can make our decision fast.

To comply with relevant law, we’ll also need your ABN or ACN, and we’ll also collect some personal, business and credit information along the way.

Moula’s here for the business community, not for the consumer. As such, we’re not licensed to provide consumer credit and need to be certain that any funds provided are for business purposes.

If your annual turnover is less than $75,000 and your business isn’t GST-registered, you’re still eligible to apply.

Get a repayment schedule

Close form panel

We’ll send the results to your inbox right now.

Email sent

Your email is on its way!

Something went wrong

Your repayment schedule email was not sent. Please call us on 1300 88 09 72 for assistance.