New Horizon for Small Business Lending Rules

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.

The proposed regulations, aimed at modifying the National Consumer Credit Protection Regulations 2010, will push the deadline of the current small business lending exemption to October 3, 2026, from its original expiry of October 3, 2024.

Essentially, this extension means that loans serving both personal and legitimate business purposes-where the business component isn't marginal-will remain exempt from responsible lending regulations.

Current consumer credit laws, highlighted in Chapter 3 of the National Credit Act, generally bypass commercial funding. However, mixed-purpose loans (for example, blending personal and commercial finance needs) are subject to these laws unless it is evident that the primary use is for business.

Eligibility for the exemption defines a small business as having fewer than 100 employees or recording revenue of $5 million or below in the last fiscal year.

Extending the exemption offers more runtime for gathering data, which will aid in making a well-informed future decision about whether the exemption should become permanent, expire, or be altered to boost efficacy.

This approach appears to shed light on the adaptability of lending regulations, pushing boundaries for the benefit of small business dynamics within the evolving market landscape.

Source: Initially reported by David Jacobson, Bright Corporate Law Principal.

Disclaimer: This information is shared for informative purposes and should not be considered as legal advice. Always seek expert consultation to address specific needs before acting on any information provided.

Published:Thursday, 15th Aug 2024
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Finance News

Clear

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

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

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

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

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

Record Commercial Card Debt Points to Fresh SME Cashflow Pressure

30 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

Australian small businesses are showing another sign of financial strain, with commercial credit card debt reaching a record level at the end of June. New analysis from Credit 2024 and Primara Research indicates total commercial card debt has climbed to about $2.26 billion, with almost a quarter of that sitting in high-interest balances rather than being cleared quickly. - read more

RBA Rate Pause Gives Businesses Time to Reassess Debt

23 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision on 16 June 2026 to leave the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% marks the first pause after three consecutive increases this year. For Australian business owners, the hold is not exactly relief, but it does create a short window to review debt settings before the next policy move. - read more

Click for more Finance News