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Business loans · compared across a lender panel

Need funding, but not sure which business loan actually fits?

Term loan, line of credit, secured or unsecured: the right one depends on what you need the money to do.

Café owner standing in her coffee shop: the kind of small business 121 Brokers arranges funding for
  • Business loans
  • Secured and unsecured
  • Compare the options
  • One enquiry, real options
  • Business-purpose finance

The basics

How do business loans work in Australia?

A business loan is finance for a business purpose: you receive funds or a credit limit, then repay over an agreed term with interest and fees. Lenders assess your trading history, cash flow, credit profile and any security offered, and rates and terms vary widely between banks, non-bank lenders and specialists.

The first fork is structure. A term loan gives you a lump sum repaid over a fixed period, right for a one-off purchase. A revolving facility like a line of credit gives you a limit you draw on as needed, paying interest only on what you use, right for cash flow that moves around. Most of the products below are a variation on one of those two shapes.

Business owner and finance adviser reviewing loan paperwork at a table

Which type of business loan do you need?

What does a business loan cost?

Honest answer: it depends, and anyone quoting one number without seeing your file is guessing. Rates move, they differ enormously between a secured facility for a strong-credit borrower and risk-priced unsecured lending, and the lender sets them, not us. What actually decides your number is below: security, trading history, credit profile, industry and how the lender prices its risk. We would rather show you real pricing from our panel for your file than an average that fits nobody.

What actually drives your price:

Security

Asset-backed loans price lower than unsecured.

Trading history

Two clean years reads very differently from eight months.

Credit profile

The business's and the directors'.

Term and amount

And the lender's appetite for your industry.

Also budget for fees: establishment, account-keeping, and early-repayment terms vary by lender: we put the full cost picture side by side before you choose. Try the repayment calculator for ballpark figures (estimates only: not an offer, quote or advice).

Am I eligible for a business loan?

Most lenders want to see:

  • An active ABN: and business-purpose use of funds (we arrange business finance only)

  • Trading history: typically 6+ months; more for larger amounts

  • Turnover: minimums vary by lender and product

  • Photo ID: for directors/owners

  • Business bank statements: usually the last 6 to 12 months; financials for larger amounts

Near miss on one of these? That's where a broker earns their keep: specialist lenders on our panel assess start-ups, seasonal trade and credit-impaired files that mainstream lenders template out. No promises: but usually more paths than the bank showed you.

How to apply: what happens after you enquire

Small-business owner writing at a desk surrounded by stock boxes
  1. Enquire

    Tell us the amount, purpose and a little about the business. We won't submit anything to a lender without your say-so.

  2. Compare

    We come back with the options that fit, including rates, fees and trade-offs in plain English.

  3. Apply

    You pick; we package and submit. Decisions typically within 24 to 48 hours of a complete application, subject to lender assessment and credit criteria.

  4. Settle

    Funding timing depends on lender and facility; we tell you what to expect before you commit.

Customer stories

What business owners say about 121 Brokers

  • 5 out of 5

    Cash flow in retail is lumpy, so a line of credit made far more sense for me than a lump-sum loan. I draw down when stock orders are due and pay it back after the season sells through. Having that buffer sitting there has taken so much stress out of running the shop. Only wish I'd set it up years ago.

    Priya S. Retail store owner, Sydney NSW
  • 5 out of 5

    My biggest client pays on 60-day terms and it was slowly strangling my payroll. Invoice factoring let me get most of the money up front instead of waiting two months. Now I can pay my contractors on time and take on bigger projects without sweating the gap. It changed how I run the business.

    Sophie L. Marketing agency founder, Melbourne VIC
  • 4 out of 5

    A merchant cash advance worked well for me because repayments flex with my daily card takings. Quiet week, I pay less; busy week, I pay more. It suited the ups and downs of a restaurant far better than a fixed loan. Would have given five stars if the initial paperwork had been slightly quicker, but no real complaints.

    Ahmed R. Restaurant owner, Perth WA
  • 5 out of 5

    Events is feast or famine and I needed working capital to lock in venues and suppliers before deposits came in. They looked at the whole picture of my business, not just a credit score, and got me a fair deal fast. Being treated like a partner rather than a file number made all the difference.

    Rebecca H. Event planning business owner, Gold Coast QLD
  • 5 out of 5

    Kitted out my whole new studio floor with an equipment loan, rowers, bikes, weights, the lot. Approval was quick and I didn't have to drain my savings to do it. The repayments are comfortable and the gear is already paying for itself in new memberships. Really happy with the service.

    Natalie W. Boutique fitness studio owner, Sydney NSW
  • 4 out of 5

    Factoring smoothed out the gap between paying my suppliers and getting paid by my stockists. It freed up a serious amount of working capital that had been locked in unpaid invoices. The process was clear and the fees were transparent, which I appreciated after some bad experiences elsewhere.

    Vikram P. Wholesale distributor, Sydney NSW
  • 5 out of 5

    Setting up a line of credit gave me the flexibility to cover slow months and jump on stock deals when they came up. I only pay for what I use, which is exactly what a small salon needs. The broker took the time to walk me through everything and never made me feel like a small fish.

    Laura K. Hair salon owner, Canberra ACT
  • 5 out of 5

    We needed significant funding to renovate and meet new compliance standards. A secured loan over a longer term made the repayments achievable without cutting staff. Throughout the whole process I felt genuinely supported and never pressured. Highly recommend them to any owner needing serious capital.

    Amanda J. Childcare centre owner, Perth WA
  • 5 out of 5

    Needed a new fleet ute fitted out with racking and tools of trade. The equipment loan covered the vehicle and the fit-out in one tidy package. Fast, fair and no runaround. As a tradie who doesn't have hours to spend on paperwork, that speed is worth a lot.

    Chris D. Electrical contractor, Adelaide SA
  • 4 out of 5

    Ahead of the Christmas rush I needed to buy inventory in bulk. A merchant cash advance let me stock up and repay as sales came through my payment terminal. It matched my revenue perfectly. Slightly higher cost than a standard loan, but for the flexibility and speed it was worth it for me.

    Olivia N. E-commerce store owner, Gold Coast QLD
  • 5 out of 5

    Refurbished the shopfront and added a coffee station with an unsecured loan. No property put on the line, funds through quickly, and the repayments were set at a level I could actually sustain. The whole team was patient and explained every figure. Couldn't ask for more.

    Hassan A. Convenience store owner, Sydney NSW
  • 5 out of 5

    Flowers are seasonal and perishable, so I needed finance that moved with me. A line of credit lets me buy heavily before Valentine's and Mother's Day and pay it back once the flowers sell. It's the perfect tool for a business like mine. Friendly, no-nonsense service too.

    Isabella M. Florist, Adelaide SA
  • 5 out of 5

    Opened a second location using a secured loan and the longer repayment term meant the new site could find its feet without crippling cash flow. The broker was upfront about every cost. I've since recommended them to two other gym owners in my network.

    Ryan H. Gym owner, Perth WA
  • 5 out of 5

    A commercial oven isn't cheap, and financing it instead of buying outright kept my cash free for ingredients and staff. The equipment loan was approved fast and the repayments are very manageable against the extra bread I can now bake. Lovely people to deal with.

    Chloe T. Bakery owner, Hobart TAS
  • 4 out of 5

    The card-linked repayments of a merchant cash advance suited my salon's daily takings really well. Quieter weeks didn't feel like a burden. The advance let me renovate two treatment rooms. Approval was quick and the team was upfront about the total cost, which I respected.

    Fatima K. Beauty and spa owner, Melbourne VIC
  • 5 out of 5

    Needed a large sum to bring a production line in-house. A secured loan gave us the amount we needed at a rate that made the investment stack up. The payback period is already looking shorter than projected. Serious funding handled by people who took us seriously.

    Anthony G. Manufacturing business owner, Wollongong NSW
  • 5 out of 5

    Fitted out a mobile grooming van with an unsecured loan and it's doubled my bookings. The application was refreshingly simple and the money came through fast. Being able to grow without putting my home on the line meant a lot to me as a sole operator.

    Hannah P. Pet grooming business owner, Brisbane QLD
  • 5 out of 5

    Agriculture has long cash cycles and most lenders don't get that. This team structured a secured loan around my harvest and sales calendar so repayments land when the money actually comes in. Thoughtful, tailored and patient. Exactly the partner a small producer needs.

    David S. Vineyard and cellar door owner, Barossa SA
  • 5 out of 5

    My clients are lovely but slow to pay, and factoring solved that overnight. I now get the bulk of each invoice straight away and can pay my suppliers and myself without stress. It turned a constant cash-flow headache into a non-issue. Wish I'd done it sooner.

    Zoe A. Interior design studio owner, Sydney NSW
  • 4 out of 5

    Financed a new pressure system and a fit-out for a second bay through an equipment loan. Quick approval and fair terms. Took one extra day to finalise than I hoped, but the broker kept me informed the whole way, so I never felt in the dark. Solid experience overall.

    Nathan B. Auto detailing business owner, Gold Coast QLD
  • 5 out of 5

    Even a professional services firm has cash-flow timing issues around tax season. A line of credit gives me a buffer to cover wages when client payments bunch up. Everything was transparent and the ongoing support has been excellent. I recommend them to my own clients now.

    Sarah V. Accounting practice owner, Melbourne VIC
  • 5 out of 5

    Wholesale fashion means big orders and long waits for payment from retailers. Factoring gave me the cash to fund the next production run without waiting. It's let me scale far faster than I could have otherwise. Clear terms, quick funds, genuinely helpful people.

    Aisha N. Fashion label owner, Sydney NSW
  • 5 out of 5

    New fermentation tanks and a canning line don't come cheap. Financing the equipment let me expand capacity while keeping working capital for hops and wages. The term matches the gear's lifespan and the whole thing was sorted quickly. Couldn't be happier with the outcome.

    Liam K. Craft brewery owner, Adelaide SA
  • 5 out of 5

    Buying out a retiring partner required a substantial sum. A secured loan over a sensible term made the buyout affordable without straining the practice. The broker handled the complexity calmly and kept everything transparent. A big, stressful transaction made a lot smoother.

    Megan D. Dental practice owner, Perth WA
  • 5 out of 5

    Upgraded all my camera and lighting gear ahead of a fully-booked season with an unsecured loan. Simple application, fast funds, and repayments I can meet comfortably from bookings. As a creative sole trader, being treated seriously and quickly meant a great deal.

    Jessica L. Wedding photography business owner, Byron Bay NSW
  • 5 out of 5

    Financed a new tipper and safety gear for a bigger crew. The equipment loan was fast and the repayments are set against the extra jobs it lets us take. These brokers speak tradie and don't waste your time. Already planning to use them for the next vehicle.

    Cameron H. Roofing contractor, Brisbane QLD
  • 5 out of 5

    A line of credit gives me breathing room across the quieter months without committing to a big loan. I dip in when I need to and repay when classes fill up again. Low stress, flexible, and the team explained it all so clearly. Perfect fit for a small studio.

    Ingrid S. Yoga and wellness studio owner, Sunshine Coast QLD
  • 5 out of 5

    Big commercial clients pay slowly and I have wages due weekly. Factoring bridges that gap perfectly, I get paid on my invoices in days, not months, and my staff always get paid on time. It's the single best decision I've made for the cash flow of the business.

    Robert T. Commercial cleaning business owner, Melbourne VIC
  • 4 out of 5

    Used a merchant cash advance to stock up before a big local festival. Repayments came out of card sales so it never felt like a heavy fixed cost. It paid off well. The process was quick and honest about the total repayable, which is all I ask for.

    Yasmin A. Homewares boutique owner, Adelaide SA
  • 5 out of 5

    Needed heavy capital for a new loader and a longer term to match how the work comes in. The secured loan did exactly that at a rate that made sense. Straightforward, no hidden fees, and the money was ready when I needed to move. Highly recommended for plant purchases.

    Gavin P. Earthmoving contractor, Ballarat VIC
  • 5 out of 5

    Financed a new hoist and wheel aligner. The equipment loan let me offer services I couldn't before, and the extra work already covers the repayment. Fast approval and a broker who actually understood the trade. Can't fault the experience at all.

    Bradley O. Mechanic and tyre shop owner, Darwin NT
  • 5 out of 5

    Catering means paying for stock and casuals before the client pays me. A line of credit covers that gap for every event and I clear it once I'm paid. It's taken the fear out of taking on bigger functions. The flexibility is exactly what my business runs on.

    Caroline W. Catering business owner, Perth WA
  • 5 out of 5

    Expanding the growing area and adding a café needed real money. A secured loan over a long term made it work without breaking the weekly budget. Everything was transparent and the support has continued well past settlement. A true partner rather than just a lender.

    Holly N. Nursery and garden centre owner, Bendigo VIC
  • 4 out of 5

    Pre-season stock for a surf shop is a huge outlay. A merchant cash advance let me buy up and repay from card sales as summer rolled in. It matched my seasonal takings really neatly. Slightly pricier than a term loan but the flexibility earned its keep.

    Dylan K. Surf and skate shop owner, Torquay VIC
  • 5 out of 5

    Financed new diagnostic equipment so we could offer more in-house services. The loan kept our cash reserves intact for staffing and the repayments are covered easily by the new revenue. Smooth, quick and professional. The clinic is better for it and so are our patients.

    Renee M. Medical clinic owner, Cairns QLD
  • 5 out of 5

    Invested in a proper course platform and a marketing push using an unsecured loan. Enrolments have more than covered the repayments. The application was quick and entirely online, which suited how I run everything. Fast, modern and easy to deal with.

    Tara L. Online education business owner, Sydney NSW
  • 5 out of 5

    In recruitment I pay contractors weekly but clients pay me monthly. Factoring closes that gap entirely, I draw on my invoices and never miss a contractor payment. It removed the single biggest strain in my business. Clear, fast and dependable. Highly recommend.

    Bianca H. Recruitment agency owner, Brisbane QLD
  • 5 out of 5

    Financed a second vessel to grow the charter side of the business. The boat loan was structured around the tourist season so repayments ease off over winter. They understood a marine tourism operation better than my bank ever did. Smooth sailing from enquiry to funds.

    Wayne D. Boat charter operator, Airlie Beach QLD
  • 5 out of 5

    A full refit of the spa needed a serious sum, and a secured loan over a longer term made it affordable. Bookings have climbed since the makeover and the repayments sit comfortably within that. Transparent, patient and genuinely invested in seeing the business do well.

    Elena K. Day spa owner, Noosa QLD
  • 5 out of 5

    Started my second van with an equipment loan covering the fit-out and machine. Approval was quick, the terms were fair, and the van was earning within a fortnight. For a small operator chasing growth, having a broker who moves fast is everything. Couldn't recommend them more.

    Josh P. Mobile coffee van owner, Perth WA

Testimonials reflect individual customers' experiences. Outcomes vary and depend on the lender and your circumstances.

121 Brokers Pty Ltd (ABN 37 674 323 712) is a finance broker, not a lender. We arrange finance through third-party lenders. Approval, interest rates, fees, timing and the funds themselves are set and provided by the lender, not by 121 Brokers.

FAQs

Business loan questions, answered straight

What do I need to apply for a business loan in Australia?

Typically an active ABN, 6+ months of trading, photo ID and your recent business bank statements. Larger amounts usually need financial statements too. We tell you exactly what your shortlisted lenders want and package the application so it's right the first time.

What's the minimum credit score for a business loan?

There's no universal minimum. Comparison sources commonly cite indicative floors around 475 to 500, but lenders weigh cash flow, trading history and security alongside the score. A middling score with strong recent revenue can still be fundable, often via specialist lenders.

Are business loan repayments tax deductible?

Interest and most loan fees are generally deductible when borrowing is for business purposes; principal repayments are not. Structure affects the details, so confirm with your accountant: this is general information, not tax advice.

Can a new business get a loan?

Under about six months' trading, unsecured lending is hard. Asset-backed options: equipment finance or a secured loan: are usually the realistic route, since security reduces the lender's reliance on trading history.

Term loan vs line of credit: what's the difference?

A term loan is a lump sum repaid over a fixed term: suited to one-off purchases. A line of credit is a revolving limit you draw as needed, paying interest only on drawn funds: suited to variable cash flow.

Do I need a deposit or security?

Depends on the product. Unsecured loans need no asset security, though director guarantees are standard. Secured loans use property or other assets and generally price lower. Equipment and vehicle finance typically use the purchased asset itself as security.

Stop guessing which loan fits.

Tell us what you're trying to fund: we'll show you the realistic options across our lender panel, trade-offs included.

Get your funding options