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Whether you need a loan to cover financing for equipment, cash shortfalls due to unpaid invoices, or even for a personal purchase, it’s important to know how to find the right financing for you. Tradie loans can be secured or unsecured, are available from many different lenders and can be used for both personal and business reasons. Read this guide to find out how to get financing for what you need.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
This is a short-term loan offer with a fast and easy online application for good or bad credit borrowers. You can apply today to get approved for up to $2,000. Get your loan funded in 30 minutes - conditions apply.
Loan Amount: $2,000
Loan Term: 9-14 weeks
Turnaround Time: 30 minutes - conditions apply
Fees: 20% of loan amount + 4% of loan amount each month
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
You can find loans from various types of lenders, including:
Peer-to-peer (P2P) lenders. If you have good credit, you might want to consider applying with a P2P lender, also known as a marketplace lender. P2P loans are funded by individual investors, and the lender operates as an intermediary. You can usually find more competitive rates compared to other types of loans, depending on your credit history. These loans are available for both personal and business use.
Banks and credit unions. If you have a good relationship with your current bank or have been operating as a sole trader for long enough to provide tax history, you may be eligible for a loan from a bank or credit union. There are flexible line of credit or overdraft loans, and some lenders offer same-day funding.
Payday lenders. If you’re looking for short-term finance or have bad credit, a payday lender could be an option to consider. They offer loans of varying amounts that are designed to be repaid within the short-term. Keep in mind that you will be charged higher fees and rates with these lenders.
What types of tradie loans are available?
There are different types of personal and business tradie loans, any of which you might have in mind when you’re searching for a loan as a tradesman. Here’s a breakdown of these types, and some of the features that come with them:
Car loans. These loans can come in various forms, including as standard personal car loans, novated leases, chattel mortgages or low doc loans designed for tradies and other self-employed borrowers.
Truck and equipment financing. While essential to your business, covering the costs of these machines can be expensive. There are secured and unsecured loans that can help cover the immediate cost of purchasing or leasing this equipment.
Business loans. These loans are designed to help a small business get off the ground or cover the costs in your existing business.
Self-employed personal loans. If you are taking out a loan for personal reasons, these lenders may consider you if you own your own business.
Short-term finance. If you just need a loan to see you through, small loans up to $2,000 and loans for larger amounts up to $5,000 are available.
Here’s how you can compare your tradie loan options
Still unsure which type of loan is best for you? Here are a few points to keep in mind when comparing your loan options:
Loan term. How long do you need the loan for? Some of the loan options are designed to be short-term, such as payday loans, which may be ideal for certain scenarios but not in others. Decide what you need and choose a loan term to work for you.
Loan amount. If you’re unsure how much you need to borrow, there are some loan options that can provide you with ongoing credit to draw down on as you need to, for instance, a line of credit. If not, only borrow as much as you need.
Repayment flexibility. Are you able to select your repayment flexibility, that is, weekly, fortnightly or monthly? You should also check if you are able to make extra repayments without being charged a fee or if you can pay back the loan completely without being charged.
Fees and interest. Compare the costs of similar loan products against each other to ensure they are competitive.
Ease of application. Can you apply for the loan online? Are your business financials taken into account? Check what is involved in the application process before you apply.
Turnaround time. This is especially true if the need for funds is time-sensitive. Check how quickly the funds will be disbursed following approval.
Loan management. Most lenders allow you to easily manage your loan through an online account or app. Find out what services the lender provides.
Economic support for tradies: The Government's 20-21 Apprenticeship support scheme
In light of the current economic difficulties faced by many industries as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government announced in its 20-21 budget a $1.2 billion investment in creating new apprenticeships and traineeships for various tradespeople. The scheme offers employers of apprentices and trainees a 50% wage subsidy for said employees. Trades covered under the scheme include:
For further information on the scheme and other measures that are being taken to support businesses within the budget, please visit www.budget.gov.au. For more information on other measures being taken to support people financially during this time, please refer to our guide.
Need to manage cash shortfalls?
Unpaid invoices can be used to secure a type of business loan called invoice financing. It comes with reduced risk, no asset requirement or interest payments.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
Eligibility criteria depends on the lender you’re looking to apply with and your own personal situation. Generally, you need to be over the age of 18 and an Australian citizen or permanent Australian resident. Minimum income criteria will also apply.
This depends on the lender you are applying with. You will usually need to provide your bank statements or the last two years of tax returns, but you can verify this on finder.com.au review pages and the lender’s website before starting your application.
There are a few lenders that offer marketplace loans for business purposes. You can find out more about P2P business lending in this guide.
Elizabeth Barry is Finder's global fintech editor. She has written about finance for over six years and has been featured in a range of publications and media including Seven News, the ABC, Mamamia, Dynamic Business and Financy. Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Communications and a Master of Creative Writing from the University of Technology Sydney. In 2017, she received the Highly Commended award for Best New Journalist at the IT Journalism Awards. Elizabeth's passion is writing about innovations in financial services (which has surprised her more than anyone else).
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You'll receive a fixed rate between 6.99% p.a. and 25.69% p.a. based on your risk profile. Apply for a loan up to $50,000 and repay your loan over 3 or 5 years terms.
You'll receive a fixed rate of 10.5% p.a. Apply for up to $50,000 to use for a variety of purposes without needing to add security. Available to self-employed applicants. Note: These rates are available until 2 February 2021. Credit, eligibility criteria and terms & conditions apply.
You'll receive a fixed rate between 9.99% p.a. and 18.99% p.a. ( 10.88% p.a. to 19.83% p.a. comparison rate) based on your risk profile An unsecured loan up to $55,000 you can use for a range of purposes and pay off over up to 7 years. Note: Majority of customers will get the headline rate of 12.69% p.a. (13.56% p.a. comparison rate) or less. See Comparison rate warning in (i) above.
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