Business-purpose real estate finance starts with three questions: what will the funds pay for, what property can support the facility, and how will the debt be repaid? Owning property or operating through a company does not, by itself, establish eligibility.
This guide covers commercial and business-purpose enquiries, including short-term bridging and development funding. It is not a first-home-buyer or owner-occupied home-loan guide. Read our business-purpose lending policy before enquiring.
Who can enquire about business-purpose property finance?
Business owners, self-employed operators and developers may seek funding for commercial premises, an eligible business expense or a development project. Companies and trustees may also enquire, subject to the lender assessing the borrower, ownership, authority to borrow and any proposed guarantors. The actual purpose and complete transaction determine suitability—not simply an ABN or entity name.
For an acquisition or longer-term premises requirement, explore commercial property finance. A temporary settlement gap needs a different repayment analysis from a construction project.
Prepare these six parts of your application
1. Purpose, amount and deadline
Explain exactly where the money will go, the amount required after your contribution, and the contractual deadline. Include the purchase contract, invoice or other supporting evidence where relevant. Separate the total facility from the net cash needed after refinancing existing debt and paying transaction costs.
2. Borrower and ownership information
Prepare identification and the relevant company or trust documents. Identify the borrower, property owners and proposed guarantors. Provide sensitive documents only through an agreed secure process, not in an initial open enquiry message.
3. Property and existing debt
Supply the address, title or ownership details, property use, current mortgage balances and available payout statements. Disclose other secured debts and relevant restrictions. An estimated market value is not an accepted lender valuation; available equity also depends on debt, security ranking, costs and lender criteria.
4. Financial position and repayment capacity
Depending on the facility, evidence may include business financial statements, tax information, bank statements and cash-flow forecasts. Explain arrears or adverse credit information early. Different documentation pathways do not mean that repayment capacity or due diligence can be skipped.
5. A supported repayment exit
For a short-term bridge, identify the event expected to repay the balance and the evidence supporting its timing. A sale needs realistic net proceeds and settlement assumptions. A refinance needs a credible approval pathway, not just an intention to approach a bank. Ongoing rental receipts are not automatically enough to repay a large final balance.
6. Project evidence, where applicable
Development enquiries may need approvals, a feasibility, construction costs, builder information, contingency and a drawdown schedule. See our property development finance guide for the project-specific assessment.
Bridging finance: test the exit before the deadline
If a business-purpose settlement is approaching, use our urgent property settlement finance guide to organise the transaction details. Urgency does not remove valuation, legal or lender conditions, and no settlement date is guaranteed.
Stress-test a later sale, lower sale price or unsuccessful refinance. Ask what the balance would be at maturity, whether interest is paid or added to the debt, and what extension or default provisions apply. Extension approval is not automatic. Failure to repay secured finance can put the property and any guarantees at risk.
Compare the full cost, not just the rate
Request a written breakdown of interest, establishment, legal, valuation, ongoing and discharge charges, plus any applicable minimum-interest or early-repayment conditions. Compare net funds available and total repayment for the period you actually expect to borrow.
For general preparation, business.gov.au’s business-loan application guide explains reviewing cash flow, preparing supporting paperwork and comparing loan conditions.
Common questions
Does having equity guarantee approval?
No. Security is only one part of the assessment. Purpose, accepted value, existing debt, repayment evidence and lender requirements also matter.
Can a self-employed borrower enquire?
Yes, for an eligible business purpose. The required financial evidence depends on the lender and proposed facility; being self-employed is neither automatic approval nor automatic exclusion.
What should I send first?
Start with the purpose, amount, deadline, property address, approximate existing debt and proposed repayment exit. Discuss your scenario with Basic Finance Loans so the appropriate evidence can be identified.
General information only, not financial, legal or tax advice. Eligibility, security, pricing, term and timing remain subject to lender assessment, verification and cleared conditions. Obtain independent advice before committing.