Business loans built for the self-employed
Self-employed and don't have PAYG payslips? Explore business loans assessed on your full circumstances, not a standard employee income check, guided by a specialist from start to finish.
- Active ABN required
- Established trading history
- Revenue-producing business
- Genuine business purpose
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Business finance for self-employed Australians
Available options depend on how your business earns, what the funds are for, repayment capacity and individual lender requirements, not on whether you receive a standard employee payslip.
The business holds a current, active ABN.
The business generates revenue through everyday trading.
The business has been trading for a period lenders can assess.
The funds are intended for a genuine, identifiable business purpose.
What is business finance?
For a self-employed applicant, business finance still comes down to a genuine commercial purpose, assessed on the business rather than a fixed salary. It is funding used for genuine commercial purposes, such as completing a project, purchasing stock or materials, covering operating expenses or managing a temporary payment gap. The right structure, covered below, depends on what the funds are for and how the business expects to repay them.
Not sure where to start? What are you looking to fund?
Worth a look
Business finance options for every need
From a defined project cost to ongoing working capital, different structures suit different needs. Availability remains subject to lender assessment.
Business term loan
A lump sum advanced upfront, repaid on a fixed schedule. May suit a defined purchase or project.
For a defined purchase or project- Fixed instalments
- Term, fees & cost
- Can be secured or unsecured
Business overdraft
A buffer attached to the business transaction account. May suit short-term account fluctuations.
For short-term account fluctuations- Repay what you draw
- Reviews, limits & fees
- Interest usually applies only when drawn
Business line of credit
A pre-approved limit drawn on and repaid as needed. May suit recurring working capital needs.
For recurring working capital needs- Draw & repay as used
- Usage & fees vary
- A reusable credit facility
Working capital loan
Short-term funding for day-to-day costs. May suit businesses managing routine cash flow timing.
For day-to-day operating costs- Short, agreed term
- Term, fees & cost
- Typically assessed on trading history
Invoice finance
Funding advanced against unpaid invoices instead of waiting on standard customer payment terms.
For unpaid invoices- Repaid on collection
- Advance rate & fees
- Also known as debtor finance
Trade finance
Funding to bridge the gap between paying suppliers and receiving payment from customers, often for import or export orders.
For import or export orders- Repaid on completion
- Terms & total cost
- Supports import and export trade
Business cash advance
A lump sum advanced against future business turnover, repaid as trading continues.
For future turnover- Repaid as you trade
- Cost & repayment rate
- Also known as a merchant cash advance
Unsecured business loan
Finance assessed on the business itself, without offering property as security.
For businesses without property security- Fixed or flexible
- Terms vary by lender
- Assessed on the business, not its assets
We're a business finance specialist for ABN holders without a PAYG payslip
Self-employed operators don't always fit the credit box a mainstream bank builds around PAYG employees. Equifund compares your application across a panel of finance providers to find options genuinely suited to how your business actually earns, not a rulebook built for a different kind of applicant.
Our purpose is to make sure genuine Australian businesses aren't shut out of funding because their income looks different to a typical employee's, backed by a team that specialises in ABN holders and business owners, not a generalist bank.
Get started
Fast, indicative pre-approvals
Where eligible, get an indicative pre-approval within 24 hours, with costs and conditions explained clearly, so you know where you stand quickly.
Repayments matched to how you earn
Uneven income or project-based cash flow can strain fixed repayments. Options are compared to suit how the business actually earns and repays.
A wide specialist lender panel
Relevant options are compared across a wide panel of specialist lenders, not one size fits all.
Support for non-standard profiles
Self-employed operators and businesses with non-standard profiles are assessed on their full circumstances, not ruled out by rigid criteria.
What our clients have to say
Rated 5.0 on Google by Australian business owners for fast pre-approvals, flexible terms and dedicated service.
Common business finance questions
Straight answers to the questions business owners ask most before applying.
What is a business loan?
A business loan provides funds for a genuine commercial purpose. The amount, term, fees and repayment structure depend on the product, lender and financial position of the business.
What is the difference between a business loan and an overdraft?
A term loan provides an agreed amount with scheduled repayments. An overdraft provides access to credit through a business transaction account, up to an approved limit.
Is a line of credit the same as a business loan?
No. A term loan generally provides one amount, while a business line of credit (sometimes called a commercial line of credit) provides access to an approved limit that can be drawn from when required.
Is Equifund a lender?
Equifund is a business finance specialist, not a lender. We help businesses understand and compare available options from our lender panel and do not provide credit directly.
What is a working capital loan?
A working capital loan provides funding for day-to-day operating costs, such as covering the short-term timing gap between paying expenses and receiving revenue.
What is invoice finance?
Invoice finance allows a business to access funds tied up in unpaid invoices rather than waiting on standard customer payment terms. The invoice value, less fees, is generally advanced ahead of payment.
What is trade finance?
Trade finance provides funding to bridge the gap between paying suppliers and receiving payment from customers, and is commonly used for import or export orders.
What is a business cash advance?
A business cash advance provides a lump sum advanced against expected future turnover, typically repaid through an agreed percentage of ongoing takings or fixed instalments.
Can funds be used for stock, projects or operating expenses?
Yes, provided the purpose is a genuine business purpose. Common uses include stock, projects and operating expenses, though the suitable structure depends on the specific need.
What businesses may be eligible?
Businesses with an active Australian ABN and an established trading history may be eligible. Lenders may also assess revenue, existing commitments, credit history and repayment capacity.
Can self-employed business owners apply?
Yes, self-employed business owners with an active ABN and evidence of trading may be eligible to enquire. Lenders will assess income, trading history and repayment capacity as part of their process.
Can I apply without PAYG payslips?
Yes. Self-employed applicants are commonly assessed using tax returns, BAS records or business bank statements instead of PAYG payslips, depending on the lender and product.
Does it matter if I'm a sole trader or operate through a company?
Both sole traders and companies with an active Australian ABN may be eligible to apply. The documents requested and how the application is assessed may differ slightly depending on the business structure.
What documents may be required?
A lender may request identification, business bank statements, BAS records, tax returns and evidence supporting the funding purpose. Self-employed applicants without PAYG payslips are commonly assessed using tax returns, BAS records or business bank statements instead.
What is an unsecured business loan and is property security always required?
An unsecured business loan is assessed on the strength of the business itself, such as trading history and cash flow, without offering property as security. Not all options require security; what is required depends on the lender, the amount and the business's circumstances.
Will making an enquiry affect the applicant's credit file?
Whether a credit check is required depends on the lender and stage of the application. The applicable process should be explained before a formal application proceeds.
How long can the process take?
Timeframes vary by lender and the complexity of the enquiry. Some enquiries may be reviewed quickly, while others may take longer if additional information is required.
What fees or costs should the applicant consider?
Fees and costs vary by lender and product, and may include establishment or ongoing fees. These should be reviewed and understood before proceeding.
What happens after the form is submitted?
A business finance specialist will review the information provided and may make contact to better understand the funding requirement and discuss available options.
Clear terms. No unnecessary complexity. Fast outcomes.
A straightforward path designed to move you from application to pre-approval quickly.
Tell us what
you need
Share your business details and funding purpose, then talk it through with a specialist.
Compare
available options
A specialist compares relevant options across a wide panel of specialist business lenders.
Review your
pre-approval
Where eligible, get an indicative pre-approval within 24 hours, costs included.
Settlement
and funding
Your specialist works to source the best funding offers available and guides your application through to settlement.
Apply for self-employed business finance
Getting a quote won't affect your credit score, and there's no cost or obligation to ask. You're matched to relevant options across a wide specialist lender panel.
- Evidence of repayment capacity
- Business bank statements
- BAS or recent tax returns
- Proof of ABN and trading history
Nothing to prepare at this stage. A specialist will confirm exactly what's needed once you're in touch.
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