Business Finance Broker — Melbourne & Geelong
Need business finance that actually fits your cashflow? Integrated Finance Group works alongside Melbourne's small and medium businesses — from sole-trader tradies in Coburg North to family-run retail businesses in Geelong — to source working capital, equipment finance, invoice finance and commercial property loans across 30+ specialist business lenders.
What types of business finance can we arrange?
Business finance isn't one product — it's a toolkit. The right combination depends on your business stage, cashflow profile, and what you're funding.
- Working capital / overdraft / line of credit — short-term liquidity for managing seasonal cashflow, paying suppliers, or bridging revenue cycles. Typically secured against business assets or guaranteed personally.
- Equipment finance / chattel mortgage — finance for plant, machinery, vehicles, IT equipment, and tools. The asset itself acts as security. Loan terms typically 3-5 years matched to the equipment's useful life.
- Invoice / debtor finance (factoring) — turn outstanding invoices into immediate cash. Lenders advance 75-90% of invoice value upfront; the remainder (less fees) when your customer pays. Excellent for businesses with long payment terms.
- Commercial property loans — purchase or refinance commercial premises (office, industrial, retail). Often interest-only structures, with terms 5-15 years.
- Trade finance — for businesses importing goods. Lenders fund supplier payments and you repay when stock is sold.
- Unsecured business loans — for established businesses with strong cashflow but no asset to pledge. Higher rates, but fast approvals (often 24-72 hours).
How do lenders assess a business loan application?
Most business lenders look at four pillars:
- Trading history — typically 2 years of business activity (some lenders accept 12 months for established directors). Recent ABN registration without trading record limits options.
- Cashflow / serviceability — ability to service the loan from business income. Lenders examine your last 2 years of business tax returns + recent BAS statements + management accounts.
- Asset coverage — for secured lending, what you can pledge. Real estate, equipment, vehicles, even intellectual property in some cases.
- Personal guarantees — most business loans require personal guarantees from directors. This means your personal assets back the business loan if the business defaults.
Common deal-breakers: unpaid ATO debts, recent payment defaults, declining revenue trend, high director-loan accounts, or industry sectors lenders consider high-risk (cafes, hospitality post-COVID, certain retail).
Common business finance mistakes we help clients avoid
- Going to your business bank first — your bank has ONE business credit policy. We compare 30+ lenders including specialist business-only lenders who often have sharper rates and more flexible structures.
- Mixing personal and business debt — accidentally adding business expenses to your home loan can compromise both serviceability and tax deductibility.
- Underestimating ATO position — even a small ATO debt arrangement can disqualify you from major-bank business lending. We know which lenders work around this.
- Wrong loan structure — a 2-year loan for a 5-year asset crushes cashflow; a 7-year loan for a 3-year asset costs more in interest. We match structure to use case.
- Personal guarantees not properly understood — directors signing without realising they're putting personal assets at risk. We walk through every clause.
Our process — from first call to drawdown
We keep it streamlined:
- 30-minute discovery call — understand your business, what you're funding, and the timeline.
- Document gathering — typically last 2 years business tax returns, BAS, management accounts, ATO portal statement, plus any specific docs the lender needs.
- Lender comparison — written shortlist of 3-5 lenders most suited to your scenario, with indicative rates and terms.
- Application + lender liaison — we lodge, follow up, and handle valuation queries on your behalf.
- Approval, settlement, drawdown — usually 5-15 business days for standard secured business loans; 24-72 hours for unsecured products.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need 2 years of business trading to get a business loan?
- Most major lenders prefer 2 years, but specialist lenders work with 12 months of trading or even less for established directors with prior business history. We know which lenders match each profile.
- Can I get business finance with an ATO debt?
- Yes, but the path narrows. Some lenders accept active payment arrangements; others require the debt cleared before settlement. We map your scenario to the right lender first to avoid wasted applications.
- How much can I borrow for business equipment?
- Equipment finance typically funds 80-100% of the equipment value, with terms 3-5 years matched to the asset life. Beyond ~$150,000 unsecured, lenders generally require additional security or personal guarantees.
- Is business finance tax deductible?
- Interest on business loans is generally deductible against business income. Speak with your accountant for your specific tax position — this isnt tax advice, just general information.
- Will applying for business finance affect my personal credit score?
- Yes — most business loans involve a personal credit check on directors. We submit to one carefully-chosen lender first rather than scattering applications, which protects your credit file.
Ready to chat about your options?
Book a free, no-obligation 30-minute conversation with our team. We'll understand your business or personal goals and explain your finance options in plain English.
Book a free consultation or call 0401 333 636
Want to Understand How Our Broker Process Works?
Not sure where to start, or want to know exactly how we compare lenders and structure your application? Our dedicated business finance broker guide walks you through every step — from your first call through to settlement and beyond.