Get exclusive money-saving offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
By signing up, you agree to the Finder
Privacy & Cookies Policy
and
Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy.
Loans for tradies
Finding a loan for business or personal use as a tradie can be tough, but there are options available.
Loan Types
I Want
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!
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.
What options do tradies have for loans?
Moula Business Loan
Moula Business Loan
- Borrow up to $250,000
- Flexible lending criteria
- No hidden fees
100% confidential application
Moula Business Loan
An unsecured business loan with online application and no upfront or early repayment fees.
- Interest rate type: Fixed
- Loan security: Unsecured
- Upfront fee: 2% Establishment fee
- Minimum loan amount: $5,000
- Maximum loan amount: $250,000
- Maximum loan term: 2 years
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
From
6.99 %
p.a.
fixed rate
From
7.79 %
p.a.
comparison rate
- Borrow up to $50,000
- 3 and 5 years terms
- No hidden fees
100% confidential application
Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
An unsecured personal loan up to $50,000. You'll receive a tailored interest rate between 6.99% p.a. and 24.79% p.a. based on your risk profile.
- Interest rate from: 6.99% p.a.
- Comparison rate: 7.79% p.a.
- Interest rate type: Fixed
- Application fee: $575 ($275 for loans of below $5,000)
- Minimum loan amount: $2,000
- Maximum loan amount: $50,000
Sunshine Short Term Loans
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
- Bad credit borrowers OK
- Quick & easy Approval
- Bad credit applicants considered
- Fast approval service
- Borrow up to $2,000
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.
Compare business loans to find one to meet your needs
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.
Learn about insurance options for tradies
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:
- Bricklayers
- Carpenters
- Joiners
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Auto electricians and mechanics
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.
Compare invoice financing products below.
Frequently asked questions
Picture: Shutterstock
More guides on Finder
-
How to buy Robinhood stock from Australia
Robinhood is set to go public as soon as June. Here's what you need to do to buy in from Australia.
-
Aspera R9 review: Low-cost, tough tradie phone
It’s not particularly powerful or equipped with a fancy camera, but if you want a low-cost Android handset with some reasonable durability, there’s value to be found in Aspera’s latest phone.
-
UCapital Unsecured Business Loan
A UCapital unsecured business loan can provide up to $300,000 without security, with repayment terms between 3 and 12 months.
-
How to start a mobile app business
Learn the key considerations when it comes to starting and growing your smartphone app company.
-
How to start an accounting business
Find out what you need to know before starting an accounting business.
-
How to start a homewares business
Find out how to turn your passion for homewares into a profitable business.
-
How to start a home cooking business
Follow this ultimate recipe for how to start your cooking business.
-
How to start an electrical business
Here's how to get started if you want to turn your skills as an electrician into a business.
-
Where you can use open banking
Find out which companies you can send your financial data to to participate in open banking.
Personal Loan Offers
Important Information*
Ask an Expert
