Business Loans Australia :: Articles

Simple Tips On Getting Your Loan

What are some simple tips for getting a loan?

Simple Tips On Getting Your Loan

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

So, you want to get a loan? Here are some simple tips that might help you make more informed decisions about the type of loan you buy, and from whom.
As you would probably be aware, a loan varies according to:
  • The amount borrowed;
  • The interest rate;
  • The type of rate (fixed or variable);
  • The term (length in years) of the loan;
  • Deposit (downpayment);
  • Associated fees (broker, origination, prepayment etc.);
  • Insurance required by the lender.
When you get a loan, you are buying money for more than it cost the lender. Simple.
If you are comparing loan offers, it is a mistake to consider the interest rate alone. Depending on the type of loan, there may also be arrangement fees and *prepayment penalty* clauses to consider. Therefore, you should be sure to take into account the total cost of your loan when comparing options - and definitely before committing.
Keep a copy of every cheque you write for your loan. If you call your lender about your loan, make sure you get the full name of the person with whom you speak. Make a note of it. You may be dealing with a large bureaucracy, and will need to refer to this conversation later.
Do a budget. Make sure you use realistic figures. Keep all of your receipts, or keep a record, for all of the money that you spend for a month. Use that to help you compile the first draft.
Be prepared to review and update it regularly. A co-ordinated budget allows you to get the most loan for your money without beggaring yourself, while getting rid of wasteful spending.
Where possible you should avoid loans that contain combinations of the following attributes:
  • Short-term;
  • High up-front fees;
  • High rates;
  • Balloon payments;
  • Excessively high late fees;
  • Prepayment penalties.
These loans can potentially swallow up any equity you may have, and ruin your financial position.
Beware of prepayment penalties. Many 'no fee' credit lines have a pre-payment penalty. There is no need to agree get a loan which contains any significant prepayment penalty, if you have good credit. One of the smartest things someone can do with a loan is to prepay it.
All you need to do is contact your lender and ask for its prepayment procedure. Then, every so often, check the loan balance the lender sends you, to make sure the additional payments have been accounted properly.
Be wary of promises of getting a loan quickly. Many borrowers are told that their loans will close within a particular time. They don't make payments on existing debts, in anticipation of the new loan.
After several delays, they can become delinquent, with no money from the new loan. Some mortgage companies then order new credit reports, and charge the borrowers higher fees, and a higher rate, because of the delinquent loans, which resulted from delays caused by the loan company!
Submit a neat application form; it shows you're business-like and efficient. It will be read and assessed by a human being; appearances count.
Only pay up-front fees to well-known or highly recommended institutions. While most institutions are reputable, it is always best to be cautious.
Don't sign documents without reading them. As soon as possible, before you close the deal, review the documents you'll be signing, and make sure you understand them, so you won't have to sign them in a hurry.
Keep your credit line as small as possible. You could be turned down for other loans, even when your credit line has a zero balance, since a large credit-line indicates a large potential outgoings.
If your spending is out of control, don't get a home equity credit line to pay off your credit cards. Don't put your home at risk by spending large amounts on your credit cards, after paying them off with your credit line.
Pay off small debts before the due date. Cancel credit cards you are not using. Loan officers tend to count the total line of credit - even if you owe nothing - as a liability. They will only cloud the picture. Close credit lines that you have no intention of using in the near future. Also look closely at the interest rates and fees, when deciding which cards to keep.
Choose a lender with a clean record with the industry watchdogs in your country. The mortgage industry receives a great number of complaints against it. In Australia, mortgage and finance brokers of any kind must be licensed with A.S.I.C, and all licensing information for brokers can be found on the A.S.I.C. website.
Shop for rates when the market is calm. Rates change from day to day, so compare lenders. The quotes you get should all be from the same time period.
Check your payments are correct - Do the mathematics. There's a one in ten chance you could be paying more than you should.
If you find yourself in a dispute with a lender about a payment or another issue, don't send correspondence to the same address you send your payment. You need to deal with the decision-makers, not the account clerks.

Published: Sunday, 1st Aug 2021
Author: Paige Estritori

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.


Business Loans Articles

Business Loan Refinancing and Sustainable Business Growth
Business Loan Refinancing and Sustainable Business Growth
Business loan refinancing involves replacing existing debt with a new loan under different terms. For Australian businesses, refinancing may help improve cash flow, simplify debt management or align repayments with longer-term growth plans, but the costs and trade-offs need to be assessed carefully. - read more
How to Compare Business Loan Features Before You Apply
How to Compare Business Loan Features Before You Apply
Comparing business loan features is an important part of understanding the different finance options available to your business. Loan products vary between lenders, with differences in interest rates, fees, repayment terms, borrowing limits and eligibility criteria. - read more
How to Improve Your Startup Loan Application in Australia
How to Improve Your Startup Loan Application in Australia
Securing finance can be an important step for a startup, but new businesses often face closer lender scrutiny because they may have limited trading history. This guide explains how startup loan options work in Australia and how founders can prepare a clearer, more credible application without assuming approval is guaranteed. - read more
Common Mistakes to Avoid During the Business Loan Application Process
Common Mistakes to Avoid During the Business Loan Application Process
Many Australian business owners find securing a business loan to be a daunting task, primarily because of the detailed documentation required and the common pitfalls that can occur at various stages of the application. - read more
Understanding Business Loan Repayments: How Repayment Amounts Are Calculated
Understanding Business Loan Repayments: How Repayment Amounts Are Calculated
Business loan repayments are shaped by the amount borrowed, interest rate, loan term, repayment frequency, fees and repayment structure. Understanding how these factors interact can help Australian business owners estimate affordability and compare loan options more confidently. - read more
Understanding Business Loan Terms and Conditions: A Guide for New Business Owners
Understanding Business Loan Terms and Conditions: A Guide for New Business Owners
Starting or growing a business often requires capital for equipment, stock, staffing, premises or day-to-day cash flow. Business loans can help fund those needs, but the details in the loan agreement determine how the finance works, what it may cost and what obligations the borrower accepts. - read more
Mezzanine Finance for Business Acquisitions in Australia
Mezzanine Finance for Business Acquisitions in Australia
Mezzanine finance is a hybrid form of business funding that sits between senior debt and equity. For Australian businesses considering acquisitions, it can help bridge a funding gap when conventional lending is not enough and owners want to limit immediate equity dilution. - read more

Finance News

Specialist SME Lending Remains Open, But Discipline Matters
Specialist SME Lending Remains Open, But Discipline Matters
26 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Latest market reporting around specialist SME lender Judo Bank points to a business credit market that is not shutting down, but is becoming more deliberate. The lender’s continued focus on relationship-led lending, deposits and small to medium-sized business borrowers suggests demand for finance remains present among firms with clear plans and serviceable cash flow. - read more
Payment Timing Keeps Pressure on SME Working Capital
Payment Timing Keeps Pressure on SME Working Capital
19 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Fresh small business indicators are again pointing to a familiar challenge for Australian SMEs: trading activity may continue, but the timing of cash receipts is still creating pressure. Recent industry commentary has highlighted uneven payment behaviour, cautious customer spending and a more deliberate approach to investment among smaller firms. For owners and finance managers, that combination can make working capital planning just as important as sales growth. - read more
Payment Delays Put Working Capital Back on the SME Agenda
Payment Delays Put Working Capital Back on the SME Agenda
12 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Late invoice payments are again emerging as a practical funding issue for Australian small and medium-sized businesses, with fresh industry commentary pointing to continued pressure across trade payments, cash reserves and day-to-day operating liquidity. For business owners, the message is clear: revenue on paper is not the same as cash in the bank. - read more
Rising Business Failure Risk Puts Cash Flow Back in the Lending Spotlight
Rising Business Failure Risk Puts Cash Flow Back in the Lending Spotlight
04 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Fresh business risk signals are reinforcing a clear message for Australian SMEs: access to credit is still available, but lenders are likely to keep asking harder questions about cash flow, repayment capacity and the resilience of each borrower’s operating model. The latest commentary around business failures, trade payment pressure and sector-specific insolvency risk points to a market where credit decisions are becoming increasingly evidence-led. - read more
Business Borrowing Momentum Is Becoming More Selective
Business Borrowing Momentum Is Becoming More Selective
28 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
Australia's business lending market appears to be entering a more selective phase, with the latest banking signals pointing to a widening gap between larger companies still seeking capital and smaller firms taking a more cautious approach. While credit is not disappearing, lenders are increasingly focused on serviceability, cash flow consistency and the purpose behind each new facility. - read more
Small Firms Tap the Brakes on Borrowing in June
Small Firms Tap the Brakes on Borrowing in June
21 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
Australian small businesses appear to be moving into a more defensive phase, with new Equifax data for June 2026 pointing to a sharp divide between larger companies still borrowing for expansion and SMEs conserving cash. The latest Business Market Pulse suggests overall business loan demand is still growing, but at a slower pace than the stronger credit activity recorded late last year. - read more
Small Business Tax Debt Crackdown Sharpens Cash Flow Focus
Small Business Tax Debt Crackdown Sharpens Cash Flow Focus
07 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
Australian small businesses may soon face a more disciplined tax debt collection environment, after the Australian National Audit Office found the ATO needs clearer targets for reducing collectable small business debt. The issue is substantial: small business collectable tax debt stood at $35.9 billion in 2024-25, representing about two-thirds of total collectable tax debt. - read more

Need Help Finding a Loan?

Start here

Let us help you explore your business finance options.
Loan Amount:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided obligation-free by a participating broker from our national referral partner network. We respect your Privacy.

All finance quotes are provided free (via our secure server) and without obligation.
We respect your privacy.

Knowledgebase
Personal Loan:
A personal loan is usually made by a financial institution to an individual person without the need for the provision of asset security. Personal loans can generally be obtained for any worthwhile purpose subject to the lending criteria of the financ