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Business Loans

Business Loans can be an important part of a broader borrowing strategy. At Derwent Finance, we help Australian borrowers understand their options, compare suitable lenders from our panel and structure finance around the outcome they are trying to achieve — not simply around a headline rate.

This page is for people researching business loans and related options such as business finance, small business loan Australia, working capital loan. It explains how this type of finance generally works, who it may suit, the issues that can affect lender approval, common scenarios and the steps involved from initial review through to settlement or funding.

Every application is assessed on its own facts. Property or asset value, income, expenses, existing debts, credit conduct, entity structure and lender policy can all change the outcome. The information below is general and is designed to help you ask better questions before choosing a lender or loan structure.

Who This Is For

  • Established businesses
  • Growing businesses
  • Sole traders and companies
  • Businesses needing working capital
  • Business owners buying another business
  • Businesses refinancing facilities
  • Businesses funding fit-outs, stock or expansion

Start with the purpose of the funding

Business finance can cover working capital, expansion, acquisitions, fit-outs, stock purchases, debt refinance and many other needs. The right facility depends on how long the funds are required, what cash flow will repay them and whether security is available. A short-term working-capital need should not automatically be funded with the same structure as a long-life business acquisition.

Business cash flow is central to lender assessment

Lenders may review financial statements, BAS, business bank statements, tax returns and existing commitments to understand how consistently the business generates cash. Some products use streamlined assessment for smaller requests, while larger or more complex loans usually require fuller financial information.

Secured and unsecured finance have different trade-offs

Unsecured finance can be faster and does not require property security, but it may have higher pricing or shorter repayment terms. Secured lending can reduce risk to the lender and support larger amounts, but it places an asset behind the debt. The most appropriate option depends on the business objective and risk tolerance.

Our Approach

How We Can Help

We start by understanding the full scenario and what you want the finance to achieve. Depending on the transaction, our work can include:

  • Clarify the exact use of funds and required amount
  • Review turnover, profit and cash flow
  • Review existing business liabilities
  • Determine secured versus unsecured options
  • Compare lender terms, fees and repayment structures
  • Prepare the credit application and business narrative
  • Manage lender questions and conditions through funding

Real Situations

Common Scenarios

Business funding should be matched to the reason the money is needed. Common purposes include:

  • Working capital
  • Business expansion
  • Business acquisition
  • Refinancing existing business debt
  • Property-backed business lending

Step by Step

How the Process Works

01

Define the funding purpose, amount and preferred term

02

Review business trading history, cash flow and existing debts

03

Determine whether secured or unsecured finance is more appropriate

04

Compare lenders and facility structures

05

Present repayments, fees and key conditions

06

Gather the financial information required for the chosen lender

07

Prepare and submit the application

08

Manage lender questions and any security requirements

09

Complete documentation and funding

Why Derwent Finance?

A loan approval is only one part of the process. Derwent Finance focuses on understanding the objective, comparing lender policy and helping manage the application from initial strategy through to settlement. We assist borrowers across Australia with home loans, refinancing, investment, construction, self-employed, complex, commercial and business finance scenarios.

Where the best outcome is to keep an existing loan or wait until the borrower’s position changes, the recommendation should reflect that rather than moving a loan simply to create a transaction.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Speak with our team

Ready to understand your options? Book a Strategy Call with Derwent Finance. We can review your current position, what you want to achieve and which lending pathways may be available.

Book a Strategy Call

General information only. Credit assistance is subject to individual circumstances and lender criteria. Interest rates, fees, lender policy, government schemes and eligibility can change without notice. This website does not provide legal, taxation or financial advice. Content last reviewed: August 2026.

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