Startup business loans in Australia
Finance for a genuine startup is harder to find than the ads suggest. Most business lenders, including those on our panel, want to see six to twelve months of trading and consistent revenue before they'll lend, because they assess from cash-flow history that a brand-new business doesn't have yet. That doesn't leave you with nothing, but it does mean being realistic about which doors are actually open in the first few months.
We'd rather tell you this up front than take an enquiry we can't help with. If you're pre-revenue or only weeks into trading, a conventional business loan is unlikely, and we'll say so.
What's realistic in the early months
Before the trading history exists, funding a new business usually leans on options that don't depend on business cash flow.
- Personal savings or contributions from founders
- A secured facility backed by an asset such as property
- Equipment finance tied to the specific asset you're buying
- Government grants or programs relevant to your sector
When lenders start to say yes
Once you've been trading roughly six months with money moving steadily through a business account, the mainstream unsecured options open up. Reaching that point with clean bank activity and no unexplained credit issues is the single most useful thing a new business can do to become fundable.
The lenders on our panel
| Lender | Advertised rate from | Loan size | Typical speed | Products | Industry code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Lumi | Quote-based | $5,000 – $1,000,000 | Same business day | Term loan, Line of credit | AFIA Code signatory |
 Moula | From 15.99% p.a. | $10,000 – $500,000 | Next business day | Term loan | AFIA Code signatory |
 Prospa | Quote-based | $5,000 – $500,000 | Funds within an hour of signing | Term loan, Line of credit | AFIA Code signatory |
Terms as at July 2026, from each lender's own site. “Quote-based” means the lender prices each loan individually (Lumi quotes a total repayment; Prospa uses simple interest) rather than publishing a headline rate. Figures are indicative, not a quote; your rate depends on the lender's assessment. Verify current terms with the lender.
Refer Labs may be paid a commission by a lender if your loan settles. This never changes what you pay, and we are not paid to rank one lender above another. How we make money.
Check your options in about a minute
Tell us what you need. A person reviews every enquiry and introduces you to the lenders that fit. No documents to upload.
Common questions
- Can I get a loan for a business that hasn't started trading?
- Rarely through a standard business lender, because there's no cash-flow history to assess. Pre-revenue funding usually comes from founder capital, a secured personal facility, grants, or equipment finance tied to an asset.
- How long until my business can borrow?
- Many lenders open up at around six months of trading with steady revenue; some want twelve. The clock that matters is consistent income through the business bank account, not just the ABN registration date.
- Should I use a personal loan to start?
- Some founders do, but it puts you personally on the hook and the terms may not suit a business. It's worth weighing against equipment finance or a secured option, and worth a conversation with an accountant.