Guide · 5 min read
What documents do you need for a business loan in Australia?
The answer depends entirely on which type of lender you're approaching. Here's a clear breakdown.
Documents for a non-bank business loan
Most non-bank lenders in Australia require:
- →Last 3–6 months of business bank statements (the most important document)
- →ABN — active for at least 12 months
- →Identity verification — drivers licence or passport for directors/principals
- →Basic business information — trading name, industry, loan purpose, amount required
That's it for most standard applications up to approximately $150,000.
Documents for a bank business loan
Banks require significantly more: last 2 years of business and personal tax returns, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, BAS for the last 4 quarters, business plans, cash flow projections, property valuations if using security, company constitution or trust deed, and ASIC company extracts.
Expect 2–8 weeks from application to approval with multiple requests for additional information.
Documents for equipment finance
- →Quote or invoice for the equipment being purchased
- →Last 3 months of business bank statements
- →ABN
- →Identity verification
Documents for invoice finance
- →Copies of the invoices you're seeking to finance
- →Proof the invoices are valid (signed contracts, delivery confirmation)
- →Business bank statements
- →ABN and identity verification
How to prepare your bank statements
Make sure they're official — PDF format exported from your banking platform, showing account name, BSB, and account number.
All accounts — if you use multiple bank accounts, include statements for all of them.
Full period — provide the full 3–6 months requested. Don't cherry-pick months.
Clear transaction history — clearly labelled transactions are easier to assess than generic “transfer” entries.
What lenders look for in your documents
In bank statements: consistent revenue deposits, positive average balance, manageable outgoings, no frequent overdrafts or dishonours, no visible ATO direct debits.
In financial statements (if required): revenue trend, gross margin, net profit, and existing debt levels.
The documentation checklist (non-bank loan)
- →Last 6 months of business bank statements (all accounts, official PDFs)
- →ABN — confirm it's active at abr.business.gov.au
- →Drivers licence or passport for all directors
- →Clear loan purpose and amount
- →Business trading name and ABN registered trading address
Ready to apply?
Two-minute application — bank statements only
No tax returns, no financials needed at application stage.
Start your application →General information only. Document requirements vary by lender and loan type. Specific requirements will be confirmed during the application process.