How it works, from first call to funds

Business funding moves quickly when the right information arrives in the right order. Most delays are not decisions. They are documents that nobody can find and signatures nobody chased. This is the process we follow and the practical tip that makes each step faster.

1. You send the 60-second enquiry

You tell us how much you need, what it is for, how long the business has traded, roughly what it turns over, how your credit history looks, which state you are in and whether you own real estate. There is no credit check. Tip: answer accurately. An amount or turnover figure that changes after the first call means starting the assessment again.

2. A real person calls you

Usually the same business day. They confirm the details, ask what the deadline is and explain which options look realistic. For unsecured funding they will ask for recent business bank statements, which can usually be shared through a secure online link. For property-secured funding they will ask about the property and what is owed on it. Tip: keep your phone handy and answer unfamiliar numbers for a few hours.

3. You see your options in plain terms

You get the amount, the term, how repayments work and the total cost of the finance, so you can compare it with anything else on the table. On a complete file, approval within the hour is possible. Larger amounts, trusts and credit issues can take a little longer because there is more to look at. Tip: ask for the total amount repayable in writing and run it through our repayment calculator.

4. Documents and signing

If you go ahead, the credit check happens now, documents are sent for electronic signing and identity is verified. For property-secured loans, the mortgage or caveat is prepared and anyone else on the title signs too. Tip: warn co-owners and guarantors early so nobody is waiting on them.

5. Funds land

Once everything is signed and any conditions are met, the money is released. Funding within 24 hours of enquiring can happen on straightforward files. Payments to third parties, such as the ATO or a supplier, can be made directly if you give the details up front.

What can stretch the timeline

• Bank statements that cannot be shared online, or a brand-new account with little history.
• Trust deeds or company documents that are missing pages.
• A co-owner or guarantor who is away or unwilling to sign.
• Information that changes after the first call.
• Public holidays, when payments are processed more slowly.

Not sure which funding to ask about? Try the Funding Matcher, then send your 60-second enquiry.