Can sole traders get a loan?

Sole traders can apply for commercial loans including business lines of credit, overdrafts, trade finance, invoice finance, equipment finance and more.

What you need to know:

  • Sole traders can apply for overdrafts, lines of credit, secured and unsecured business loans and invoice financing.
  • Established sole traders find it easier to get approved for a business loan. If you're starting a new business, you will need a sound business plan.
  • Sole traders can compare business loans from banks or online lenders. Online lenders often have more flexible eligibility requirements.

Loans you can apply for today

20 of 188 results
Finder Score Min. Loan Amount Max. Loan Amount Loan Term Upfront Fee Filter Values
Finder Score
$10,000
$500,000
6 months to 3 years
$0 application fee
A business loan for any industry. Borrow between $10,000 and $500,000, with approved loans funded within 24 hours. Minimum monthly turnover of $10,000 and 1 year of trading history required.
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$5,000
$20,000,000
3 months to 7 years
$0 application fee
A Business Lending Specialist from Valiant Finance can give you access to competitive business loans from over 80 lenders. Loans between $5,000 and $20 million are available. Request a call – your loan can be funded in 1 business day.
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eBroker logo
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$5,000
$5,000,000
1 month to 30 years
$0 application fee
Small business loans available between $5,000 and $5,000,000. Get access to 70+ non-bank lenders on this independent platform.
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Prospa logo
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$5,000
$500,000
3 months to 3 years
3.5% origination fee
Small business loans are available from $5,000 - $500,000 on terms of up to 3 years. At least six months trading history and a monthly turnover from $5,000 is necessary.
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ScotPac logo
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Scotpac Line of Credit
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$40,000
$500,000
From 3 months
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MaxFunding logo
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$5,000
$50,000
1 month to 1 year
$0 application fee
An unsecured business loan from $5,000 that offers convenient pre-approval and no early repayment fees.
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Gateway Bank logo
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Gateway Commercial Property Loan
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$250,000
$4,000,000
1 to 30 years
$1,500 for loans up to $750K and 0.40% of total amount applied for over $750K (for standard applications)
A business loan for commercial property, with borrowing amounts between $250,000 and $4,000,000. Redraw available and loan terms range up to 3 years.
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ScotPac logo
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$200,000
$150,000,000
1 to 2 years
Establishment fee 1% of the limit
Improve your business cash flow by financing your outstanding invoices. No minimum trading history required, but minimum 12 - month term and $200,000 in invoices.
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Prospa logo
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Prospa Unsecured Business Loan
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$5,000
$150,000
3 months to 2 years
3% origination fee
An unsecured business loan available up to $150,000 that can be funded in 1 business day. You must provide 6 months of trading history, 3 months history of existing business purchases and have a turnover of $6,000+ per month.
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Prospa logo
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Prospa Secured Business Loan
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$150,000
$500,000
3 months to 3 years
3% origination fee
A secured business loan available up to $500,000 that can be funded in 1 business day. Your business must have a turnover of at least $6,000 per month and you must provide 6 months of trading history and 3 months history for existing business purchases.
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Gateway Bank logo
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Gateway Commercial Plus Property Loan
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$4,000,000
$10,000,000
1 to 30 years
0.40% of the total loan amount (for standard applications)
A business loan for commercial property, with borrowing amounts between $4,000,000 and $10,000,000. Redraw available and loan terms range up to 3 years.
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Business Fuel logo
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$10,000
$500,000
6 months to 3 years
$0
A convenient business loan that gives you access to your approved funds in just 48 hours on average.
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Service One Alliance Bank logo
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Service One Business Loan
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$5,000
$1,000,000
1 to 15 years
$400
A business loan with fixed or variable interest rate options. Choose between paying principle and interest or interest only for a period.
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Heritage Bank logo
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$20,000
$500,000
Up to 5 years
$450
This business loan is designed to buy new or used equipment and has borrowing amounts between $20,000 and $500,000. No monthly fees and the loan is secured against the assets purchased.
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People's Choice Credit Union logo
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People's Choice CU Variable Rate Business Loan
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$50,000
$1,000,000
1 to 25 years
$600 (loans up to $80,000) & 0.75% of loan (loans greater than $80,000)
A variable rate business loan from as low as $50,000 with the option to pay interest only for up to 25 years, no extra repayment fees, and no ongoing monthly fees.
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CommBank logo
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$10,000
$1,000,000
1 to 30 years
Depends on application and whether or not security provided
Borrow up to $1,000,000 with a varied loan term of 12 months to 3 years.
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Stratton logo
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$10,000
$300,000
1 to 7 years
$482
A business vehicle loan for up to $300,000, with flexible contract terms and fast turnaround times.
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NAB logo
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NAB Vehicle & Equipment Finance Offer
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$10,000
$150,000
1 to 5 years
$500 initial set up fee
Benefit from a low fixed rate and no upfront deposit to purchase vehicles and equipment for your business.
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Banjo Loans logo
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$20,000
$2,000,000
6 months to 5 years
up to 3% for the 36 month loan term
Available for businesses that are at least two years old and has an annual turnover of $500,000.
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NAB logo
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NAB Business Recovery Loan
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$20,000
$5,000,000
Up to 10 years
No approval or administrative fees
An Australian government backed loan with competitive rates to assist businesses after lockdowns. Borrow up to $5,000,000. Variable rates from 4.5% p.a. up to 3.95% p.a.
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Showing 20 of 188 results

Finder Score for business loans

We assess over 150 business loan products for their rates, fees and important features, assigning them a score out of 10.

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What type of loans can I apply for as a sole trader?

Type of loanLoan amountsFeatures and repaymentsPros and cons
Business overdraftLoan amounts will vary based on the lender and your business' financials. You may be able to get an overdraft of up to $750,000.- Linked to an existing business account
- Available once you use up funds in your account
- Unsecured loan
- Variable interest rates
- Ongoing account, minimum repayments required
  • Unsecured loan
  • Useful when your funds run low
  • Can only access funds once other accounts are depleted
  • Interest rates can be high
  • Requires an existing bank account
Line of credit Loan amounts will vary based on the lender and your business' financials. It could go up to $15 million or higher.- A line of credit allows you to draw cash as and when you need it.
- You pay interest only on the money you use, not the entire loan amount.
- Regular, minimum repayments on your balance
  • If you need an ongoing source of credit, this provides credit on a revolving basis.
  • You pay interest only on what you use.
  • Interest rates can be high.
  • With only a minimum repayment expected, you could carry your debt indefinitely.
Secured business loansLoan amounts vary, with some lenders offering up to $100 million while others don't have maximum borrowing amounts.- Borrow a large sum of money, using an asset as security.
- Fixed or variable interest rates.
- Regular loan repayments over a period of time.
  • Can provide your business with a large amount of cash to use for various business expenses
  • Lower interest rates as the loan is secured
    • Your asset can be at risk if you don't meet your repayments.
    • You'll be taking on a large debt.
Unsecured business loans.Loan amounts could range up to $1 million, although it varies according to the lender.- Borrow without security
- Faster applications
- Higher interest rates than unsecured loans.
  • Usually approved quickly
  • A quick source of cash
  • More expensive than secured loans
  • Smaller borrowing amounts than secured loans.
Invoice financing. You could borrow up to 80–90% of your unpaid invoices. Funding up to $150 million may be available.- Get funding against your unpaid invoices
- No asset required as the loan is secured against your unpaid invoices
- Get quick access to funding.
- Fees apply, with your invoices will pay for the rest of the loan.
  • You can bridge cash flow shortages by using funds already owed to you.
  • Not an option for a new business with no invoices, but established businesses can benefit.
  • Open to bad credit borrowers too.

How do I know which business loan to choose as a sole trader?

  • Consider the purpose of your loan: If you're purchasing commercial real estate then you could look at a commercial property loan. If you need access to funds to purchase equipment, would might apply for a line of credit.
  • Review your needs: Most loans provide a lump sum of money. As soon as the funds hit your account, you start getting charged interest and have to make repayments. If you want to make multiple purchases over time, a line of credit might be more suitable, because you only pay interest on the amount you spent.
  • Can you offer security: If you have an asset such as a residential or commercial property you could get a lower interest rate or more favourable loan terms. But you are putting the property at risk if you can't repay the loan down the track.

How do I compare business loans as a sole trader?

Percentage

Look for a loan with a lower interest rate

A business loan with a lower interest rate saves you money by reducing your interest charges.

Secured business loans have lower rates than unsecured loans.

Fee

Watch out for fees

Business loans often come with application or establishment fees charged as a percentage of your loan amount. Monthly fees can also add up and make the loan more expensive.

Factor fees into your comparison and try to find a loan with lower fees.

Money bag

How much can you borrow?

The amount a sole trader can borrow depends on their business income. But lenders have minimum and maximum loan amounts for their loans.

Check if a loan will let you borrow as much (or as little) as you need before applying.

Checklist

Compare loan features

Does a business loan let you choose fortnightly or monthly repayments? Does the lender offer fast loan approval? Can you repay the loan early without penalty?

Comparing all of a loan's features gives you a clearer idea of how suitable it is for your business needs.

Can a sole trader borrow money for different purposes?

Sole traders might use a business loan to:

  • Purchase new equipment, tools or machinery
  • Purchase a business vehicle
  • Renovate your business premises
  • Purchase inventory to supply your business
  • Cover a shortfall in revenue due to a slowdown or seasonal demand
Sarah Megginson's headshot
Our expert says

"When you take out a business loan, lenders require that you use the funds for business purposes and not personal use – so you can't take out a business loan and then use that money to buy a car for personal use, or spend it on rent or personal bills. Some lenders may also request access to your bookkeeping software to get evidence of your profit and loss."

Sarah Megginson's headshot
Personal finance expert + media spokesperson

How do I apply for a sole trader business loan?

As an established sole trader (2 years +)

  • Financials. Have records highlighting your profits and losses and at least 2 years of tax returns and your notice of assessment.
  • Business credit score. Unlock lower interest rates with a Good or Excellent business credit score.
  • Security. Sole traders can use commercial property to secure a loan. You could use a residential property too.
  • Debts and assets. Lenders take your existing debts and business assets into account when assessing your application.

As a newer sole trader (under 2 years)

  • Business plans. A detailed business plan shows a lender that you're running a serious operation and have a better chance at generating income.
  • Personal credit history. If your business hasn't built up a credit history yet then a good strong personal credit score can strengthen your application.
  • Your skills and qualifications. You have a stronger chance of approval if you're a qualified expert in your field, with a degree or trade certification.

How to prove income as a sole trader?

Every lender requires slightly different documents, but most lenders require some or all of the following:

  • Personal identification documents
  • An ABN
  • Business tax returns
  • Profit and loss statements
  • A cash flow statement

If you haven't been running a business as a sole trader long enough to have the financial information a lender requires, you have a few options:

  1. Low doc business loans. These loans are designed for self-employed business owners and sole traders who don't have the financial documents and business history to support a regular loan application.
  2. Peer-to-peer business loans have risk-based interest rates and tend to have more flexible eligibility requirements.
  3. Personal loans. In some cases a sole trader can use a standard personal loan to fund their business needs. Just be sure your lender allows you to use the funds for your intended purpose.

How to apply for a small business loan

  • Start by working out what type of finance you're looking for.
  • Compare loan options and be sure to look at interest rates, fees and loan features.
  • Before applying, check that your business meets the lender's eligibility criteria.
  • Gather the personal, business and financial information you need and submit an application.
  • Your lender will check your personal or business credit score.
  • Wait for approval. Some lenders can have the funds in your account within 1 business day.

4 mistakes to avoid when applying for finance as a sole trader

  1. Borrowing more than you can afford to repay. Use a business loan repayment calculator and make sure you understand how much a loan will really cost you. Factor in the cost of fees as well as the interest rate.
  2. Not having consistent income to meet the loan repayments. Sole traders often have inconsistent income. It may be the reason you need finance in the first place. But if your income dips so low that you're unable to meet your repayments, you'll find yourself at risk of default pretty quickly.
  3. Submitting multiple applications. Apply for one loan and one loan only. Multiple applications get flagged on your business credit report and can lower your credit score.
  4. Putting your assets at risk. If you get a secured business loan then it's important to understand what's at stake. Let's say you offer your home as security but then your business hits a bad patch and you can't meet your repayments. Your lender could compel you to sell your home to cover your debt.

Frequently asked questions about sole trader loans

Sources

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Senior Money Editor

Richard Whitten is Finder’s Senior Money Editor, with over eight years of experience in home loans, property, credit cards and personal finance. His insights appear in top media outlets like Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine, and the Herald Sun, and he frequently offers expert commentary on television and radio, helping Australians navigate mortgages and property ownership. Richard started his career in education and textbook publishing in South Korea. He holds multiple industry certifications, including a Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking (RG 206) and Tier 1 and Tier 2 certifications (RG 146), as well as a Bachelor of Education from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Certificate in Communications from Deakin University. See full bio

Richard's expertise
Richard has written 688 Finder guides across topics including:
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