New locations, hiring staff, increasing inventory, marketing campaigns, or acquiring another business - we compare expansion funding options from 12+ Australian lenders including traditional term loans, revenue-based lending, and unsecured facilities.
Secure | No credit check at initial stage | No cost to you* | *We are paid by lenders
Esteb and Co provides credit assistance services. We are licensed credit representatives (ASIC Credit Rep #574070) who help you compare loan options from our panel of lenders. We do not lend money directly. All loan approvals are made by lenders, subject to their criteria and responsible lending assessments. Our service is free to you - we receive commissions from lenders. Read our Credit Guide
Different expansion goals require different funding structures
Open a second shop, office, warehouse, or franchise location. Includes fit-out, signage, and initial stock.
Fund recruitment, training, and payroll for new staff before revenue catches up.
Bulk purchasing, seasonal stock builds, import orders, and new product lines.
Digital marketing, brand refresh, trade shows, PR campaigns, and customer acquisition.
Buy a competitor, complementary business, or franchise. Includes goodwill, stock, and assets.
Multiple paths to funding your growth in Australia
Fixed amount, fixed term, regular repayments.
Best for: Established businesses (2+ years) with clear financial statements and a specific expansion plan with defined costs.
Repayments tied to your revenue. Pay more when business is good, less when it's slow.
Best for: Businesses with strong revenue but limited assets or shorter trading history. Seasonal businesses benefit from flexible repayments.
Non-repayable funding from state and federal programs.
Note: Grants are competitive and take time. Use them alongside, not instead of, commercial finance for time-sensitive expansions.
Common questions from growing Australian businesses
Most lenders cap unsecured business loans at 1-2x your annual revenue. For a business with $500K annual revenue, you could typically borrow $250K-$1M unsecured. With property or equipment as security, limits increase significantly. The key metric is your DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) - lenders want to see you can comfortably service the new debt from existing cash flow.
For amounts under $100K from non-bank lenders, a business plan may not be required - they'll assess based on your revenue and bank statements. For larger amounts ($100K+) from banks, a solid business plan is essential. It should cover: what you're expanding, projected revenue increase, timeline, costs breakdown, and how the loan will be repaid. We can advise on what each lender requires.
Yes, but options are more limited. Non-bank lenders (Prospa, OnDeck, Moula) assess businesses from 6 months trading. Banks typically want 2+ years. Revenue-based lenders focus on your current cash flow rather than how long you've been trading. Expect higher rates (10-15%) for younger businesses compared to established ones (6-10%).
Using your home as security for a business loan gets you the best rates (often 1-2% lower) and highest loan amounts. However, it means your personal home is at risk if the business fails. Many business owners choose unsecured or revenue-based options despite higher costs to keep business and personal risk separate. This is a personal decision - we can show you the cost difference for both options.
Australia doesn't have a direct SBA equivalent, but there are several government-supported options: the SME Guarantee Scheme (government guarantees 50% of eligible loans up to $5M), Export Finance Australia for exporters, and various state-based programs like the Victorian Business Growth Fund. These programs reduce lender risk, potentially giving you better rates and terms. We can help identify which programs you may qualify for.
Compare expansion loan options from 12+ Australian lenders
Start Your Expansion Loan Assessment2 minutes | No credit impact | No cost to you | 12+ lenders compared