Cash Advance Online Loans

Apply online and receive quick cash advances (charges apply).

Updated Nov 15, 2021. What changed?

Fact checked

We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!

An online cash advance refers to a short-term loan. Most short-term loans are payday loans, although there are other options if you want a cash advance. The term cash advance also refers to cash you can withdraw from your credit card. However, the focus of this guide is online cash advance loans.

Are you struggling financially?

If you're struggling financially and would like to speak to someone for free financial advice, information and assistance you can call the Financial Counsellors hotline on 1800 007 007 (open from 9:30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday). If you are suffering financial problems related to the coronavirus pandemic you may be eligible for additional support.

⚠️ Warning about Borrowing

Do you really need a loan today?*

It can be expensive to borrow small amounts of money and borrowing may not solve your money problems.

Check your options before you borrow:

For information about other options for managing bills and debts, ring 1800 007 007 from anywhere in Australia to talk to a free and independent financial counsellor
Talk to your electricity, gas, phone or water provider to see if you can work out a payment plan
If you are on government benefits, ask if you can receive an advance from Centrelink: Phone: 13 17 94

The Government's MoneySmart website shows you how small amount loans work and suggests other options that may help you.

* This statement is an Australian Government requirement under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009.

What is an online cash advance loan?

If you want a small sum of money ahead of payday, you could consider an online cash advance loan. These loans are typically small and designed to be paid within a short period of time. The most common of these is a payday loan.

With cash advance loans, you can expect fast turnaround times and quick applications, but keep in mind that fees will be charged. In some cases, as with payday loans, the fees are generally high, making the loan an expensive option.

These loans are not designed for long-term financial use. If you’re looking for a long-term financial solution, there are more suitable loans to consider. Given how costly these loans are, they should also be used only in emergency situations.

Comparison of online cash advances

1 - 6 of 6

Name	Maximum loan amount	Term of Loan	Turnaround time	Arrears Fee	Costs	Fortnightly Repayment (for $1500 Loan)
Sunshine Short Term Loans	$2,000	9-14 weeks	30 minutes - conditions apply	$35	20% of loan amount + 4% of loan amount each month	$396	A small loan up to $2,000 that you repay over 9-14 weeks. Loans approved and funded in as little as 30 minutes. Centrelink must not be your primary income	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Jacaranda Finance Personal Loan	$15,000	9 to 24 months	Under 1 hour - conditions apply	$35	$249 - $990 depending on credit		Borrow up to $15,000 and get access to your funds in as little as 1 hour.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Nimble Small Loan	$2,000	62 days to 9 months	1 hour - conditions apply	$15	20% of loan amount + 4% of loan amount each month	$396	A loan up to $2,000 with terms up to 62 days to 9 months. Centrelink cannot be your primary source of income.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Fair Go Finance Small Loan	$2,000	1 to 12 months	24 to 48 hours	$35	Establishment Fee of $18 – $400	$354	A small loan between $300 and $2,000 that can be funded in 24 hours.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Credit24 Short Term Loan	$2,000	4-12 months	Same day - conditions apply	$10	20% of loan amount establishment fee + 4% of loan amount monthly.	$396	Credit24 offers this loan up to $2,000 and gives you 12 months to repay. Centrelink borrowers are considered as long as Centrelink payments are not more than 50% of income.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Credit24 Medium Term Loan (Good Credit)	$5,000	12 to 24 months	Same day	$10	$400 establishment fee + 48% p.a. interest		A small loan with long terms: Apply for up to $5,000 and have up to 2 years to repay.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

Compare up to 4 providers

What kind of online cash advance loans are available?

There are a number of options available. The best option for you will depend on your individual circumstances and what you can afford.

Overdrafts. An overdraft facility can be set up with your current bank and linked to your existing transaction account. This facility allows you to overdraw your account up to the given limit. This limit will be agreed upon by the applicant and the bank, and will depend on the financial position of the borrower. Some banks offer overdraft facilities in excess of $25,000. With overdrafts, you only have to pay for what you borrow. Interest charges will apply. If you have a good relationship with your bank, you may be able to get an overdraft even if your credit isn’t perfect.
Payday loans. Payday loans are small loans with short repayment periods. Usually the loan term is 16 days to 1 year. These loans are typically expensive, and come with high fees and charges. Ideally you should only apply for one in financial emergencies. You can get payday loans up to $2,000, although there are medium term loans for $5,000 and $10,000. Most $2,000 loans come with an establishment fee of 20% of the loan amount and a monthly fee of 4%. Bad credit options are also available.
Centrelink cash advance. If you receive Centrelink payments, you may be able to bring it forward as a cash advance. This is not an additional payment, but an advance on your existing payments. You may be eligible depending on how long you have been with Centrelink and how much you receive.
Pay on demand. This is a type of short-term loan. With it, you can borrow a portion of your pay cheque before your actual payday. It’s offered by banks, pay-on-demand apps such as Beforepay, and services such as InstaPay which are offered by employers. Some banks have their own pay-on-demand apps too.

How much do online cash advance loans cost?

When you’re taking out an online cash advance loan, you’re often paying for the cost of convenience. Here’s an outline of what it will cost you:

Overdraft. You can expect to pay between 10% to 20% for an overdraft. You may also have ongoing fees. Rates will vary based on the lender.
Payday loan. For a short-term loan under $2,000, you can be charged up to 20% in establishment fees and 4% monthly fees. For a medium loan from $2,001 up to $5,000, the application fee will be $400 and the interest rate will be 48% p.a.
Centrelink cash advance. The advance will be deducted incrementally from your future payments.
Pay on demand. Fees range from $2 to $10 dollars, or in some cases 5% of the amount borrowed.

How can I compare online cash advance loans?

When comparing loans and lenders, here’s what you need to keep in mind:

Interest rates, fees and affordability. It’s important to calculate the cost of the loan and work out whether you can afford it. The cost of borrowing may include interest charges and additional fees. Keep an eye out for what your monthly repayments will be. Only apply for the loan if it fits comfortably in your budget.
Applications and turnaround time. Most lenders now have online applications. Keep an eye out for their application processing time and how long it will take for you to receive the money. The important thing to consider is whether you’ll receive the money when you need it.
Loan amounts. The loan amount should be enough to service your needs. It’s advisable to borrow just how much you need and nothing more. By borrowing more money that you need, you’ll be paying interest on money you don’t want.
Loan term. This is how long you have to repay the loan. Most cash advance loans have short terms. You’ll have to consider whether you can repay the loan within the given time. Also consider whether you can do so without adding strain to your budget.
Added features. Can you repay the loan early or make additional repayments?
Eligibility. Every lender has their criteria. You should ensure you tick all the boxes before applying. If you don’t meet their criteria, your application is likely to get rejected.

What should I keep in mind when applying for an online cash advance loan?

High fees and charges. Affordability is key. If you can’t afford the loan, you shouldn’t apply. Apart from risking financial problems, lenders are also obliged to consider whether you can repay the loan. If they feel you can’t, you will be rejected. High fees and charges are especially a problem with payday loans. Fees are regulated by ASIC and it's illegal for lenders to charge more. You should ensure you can repay the loan with ease before applying.
Disreputable lenders. Check the lender's website and make sure it's a reputable company. You should ensure it is registered with ASIC. It should also be easy to contact. Watch out for loans that seem too good to be true. There are predatory lenders seeking to take advantage of desperate borrowers.
Long-term repercussions and legal issues. Once you sign a loan agreement, you are bound to its conditions. You will have to pay the loan, and all the fees and payments. Most of these loans are unsecured. This means the lender can initiate legal proceedings against you if you do not repay the loan. It can also report the debt to a credit reporting body like Equifax and use the services of a debt collector.
Multiple applications. Every loan application shows up on credit reports. Some short term lenders may not consider your credit history. But several applications within a short period can have a negative impact on your credit score. This can make it harder for you to get a loan in the future.
More debt. Given how expensive some of these loans are, they could potentially lead to more debt if you can’t meet your repayments. Late or non-repayments could lead to more fees, which has the potential to spiral out of control.

Cash advance speeds by brand

Brand	When you receive your cash	What do you need to do?	How much can you apply for?	More details
Cash Train	Same day	Loan needs to be approved by 2pm	$200 - $2,000	More
Credit24	Same day	Loan needs to be approved by 3pm	$500 to $2,000	More
enably	One hour	Approval takes one hour and you'll be transferred funds minutes after. CommBank customers receive in minutes, others may take longer.	$200 - $2,000	More
MoneyMe	One hour	Approval and funds transfer takes on hour. Receiving funds depends on bank processing times.	$500 - $50,000	More
MoneySpot	One hour	You can receive your funds within minutes of being approved if you bank with CommBank, other banks take one hour.	$200 to $2,000	More
Nimble	One hour	Loan must be confirmed before 4:30pm to receive within the hour.	$300 - $25,000	More
Sunshine Loans	One hour	Loan needs to be approved within business hours to receive it within the hour.	$150 - $2,000	More
Swoosh Finance	Overnight	Loan needs to be approved by 3:30pm QLD time to be transferred overnight.	$2,100 - $4,584	More
Wallet Wizard	Same day	Loans need to be approved by 2:30pm to receive same-day funds.	$500 - $8,000	More

Alternatives to online cash advance loans

0% interest financing from retailers

Some retailers offer interest-free periods on the sale of their goods and appliances. For instance, The Good Guys offers up to 50 months interest-free on home appliance purchases with a minimum spend in-store or online.

No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)

This loan is for low-income earners. It is offered by 170 local community organisations across 600 locations in Australia. You can borrow up to $1,500 to pay for bills and essentials, with terms ranging from 12 to 18 months. As the name implies, no interest is charged. You will only pay for what you borrow.

Buy now pay later

You can make interest-free purchases and pay in instalments. Many retailers now offer this option, allowing you to break down your repayments into smaller, more manageable chunks. There are also buy now pay later services that let you pay your bills in instalments. Providers like Afterpay also offer a “retro” option, allowing you to retroactively pay in instalments. You can get up to $200 credited back to your account.

Interest free credit cards

Another alternative is a 0% interest credit card. Keep in mind that after the introductory period, the interest rate reverts to the standard rate. When that happens, you’ll be charged interest on the balance you haven’t paid off during the 0% p.a. period.

How can I apply for an online cash advance loan?

🤔 Work out what type of loan you need, how much you need to borrow and what you can afford.

🔎 Start comparing lenders and loan products. Don't forget to compare interest rates, fees and eligibility criteria. You can use Finder’s comparison table.

✅ Select a lender. Click “Go to site” to be directed to the lender’s page, or “More info” if you want to read about the lender.

🖨️ Organise and prepare the required documentation. This will make the application process easier.

📱 Apply. Most lenders have their applications online.

Thank you for your feedback!

Bria Horne

Bria Horne is a writer for Finder, with a specialist knowledge of personal loans, car loans and business loans. Originally from the UK, Bria has been a professional personal finance writer in Australia for over 2 years. She has an M.A and B.A in Philosophy and Literature from the University of Sussex, and previously worked on the UK’s leading hospitality publication.

Payday Loans FAQ A guide to cashing a cheque

More guides on Finder

Fish4Loans Fast Cash Loans review
New customers can qualify for up to $800 and existing customers for as much as $1,500 with a fast cash loan from Fish4Loans.
Quickcash small loan review
Apply today for a small, short term loan from Quickcash. Loans are available from $200-$2,000 on terms of up to 3 months.
RentPay SafetyNet
A short-term loan of up to 1 week’s rent for RentPay customers.
Beforepay vs MyPayNow
How does pay on demand platform Beforepay compare against MyPayNow?
MyBond
A rental bond service with no monthly repayments or interest charges during the term of the lease.
Pay On Demand vs Credit Card
How does pay on demand compare to a credit card and how much will it cost?
Personal loans vs payday loans
There are key differences between personal loans and payday loans in terms of regulations and who the loans are designed for. Learn the difference and find the right product for your circumstances.
TapMyPay
What is TapMyPay, how it works and what does it cost?
foundU On-Demand Wages
foundU On-Demand Wages review, costs and how to apply.
ZayZoon review
ZayZoon is a wages-on-demand service that allows employees to access their money before payday and avoid expensive payday loans.

Ask an Expert

Click here to cancel reply.

Display Name

Your Email (will not be published)

Your Question

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.