Written and reviewed by John Pierre Saliba, Director and Senior Finance Broker, MFAA Accredited. Last reviewed 17 September 2026.
Yes - you can get a business loan with 6 months of trading history in Australia. Specialist non-bank lenders approve businesses from the 6-month mark with $6,000+ monthly turnover, an Equifax score of 550+ and 6 months of bank statements. No tax returns are needed under $150,000, and decisions come from 1 hour.
Key fact: OverdraftMe works with lenders who accept applications from businesses with as little as 6 months trading history and a minimum monthly turnover of $6,000.
Why do lenders care about trading history?
Trading history helps lenders assess the stability and viability of your business. A longer track record gives them more data - bank statements, revenue trends, seasonal patterns - to make a lending decision with confidence. This is why banks, which are risk-averse by nature, typically require 2+ years.
Specialist non-bank lenders take a different approach. They use technology to assess risk more quickly and comprehensively, looking at a broader set of signals including live bank statement data, not just how long you've been in business. Six months of statements shows revenue consistency, growth trend, expense base and how you manage your account - none of which requires a tax return.
Which lenders offer business loans for 6 months trading?
The banks will almost certainly say no at 6 months - they want 2+ years of financials, tax returns and often property security. The non-bank market is a different story.
| Lender type | 6 months OK? | Min revenue | Max facility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-bank specialist lenders | Yes | $6,000/month | Up to $500K |
| Major banks (CBA, NAB, ANZ, Westpac) | No - 2+ years | Varies | Varies |
| Fintech lenders | Yes - some from 3 months | Varies | Lower limits |
Credit score protection: every direct application to a lender triggers a credit enquiry. Three applications means three enquiries and real score damage. OverdraftMe assesses all 50+ lenders on the panel and submits one application to one lender - the right one for your profile.
What loan options suit a new ABN with six months of trading history?
At six months, three products are genuinely on the table: an unsecured business loan with a fixed 3 to 36 month term, a business overdraft or line of credit for stronger profiles, and invoice finance if you bill other businesses. All three are assessed on six months of bank statements, $6,000+ monthly turnover and an Equifax score of 550 or above - no tax returns under $150,000.
| Product | Minimum trading | Minimum turnover | Typical limit at 6 months | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unsecured business loan | 6 months | $6,000/month | Up to $75,000 for strong profiles; around $50,000 for fair credit | 6 months bank statements, ABN, ID |
| Business overdraft / line of credit | Guide: 1 yr ABN with property or 2 yrs without; strong candidates from 6 months | $6,000/month | Case by case | 6 months bank statements, ABN, ID |
| Invoice finance | From 3 to 6 months with B2B invoices | Depends on invoice book | Up to 80 to 90% of invoice value | Invoices plus bank statements |
What you actually need with 6 months trading
- Active ABN registered in Australia for the full 6 months
- Minimum 6 months of continuous trading
- Monthly turnover of at least $6,000 - consistently
- Australian citizen or permanent resident as business owner or director
- Equifax score of 550+ - no recent defaults, court judgements or dishonoured payments
- 6 months of business bank statements from a dedicated business account
No tax returns. No BAS. No profit and loss. No accountant letters. Under $150,000, bank statements, ABN and a driver's licence are the entire document list.
What lenders actually look at
With only 6 months of history, lenders place more weight on the quality of your recent trading rather than the length of it:
- Revenue consistency - regular deposits matter more than the amount at 6 months. Erratic revenue is a red flag.
- Growth trend - month-on-month revenue growth is viewed very positively.
- Bank statement health - no dishonoured payments in the last 3 months is critical.
- Director credit file - your personal credit history carries more weight while the business is young.
- Industry - some industries are considered lower risk than others.
- Purpose of funds - a clear, viable business purpose reads far better than generic "working capital".
How much can I borrow with 6 months trading?
At the 6-month mark lenders are more conservative on limits - typically approving 1 to 1.2x average monthly revenue, against the 1 to 1.5x available to established businesses. Limits at 6 months are commonly capped around $75,000 for strong profiles and around $50,000 for fair-credit profiles. Capacity grows as your history does.
| Monthly revenue | At 6 months | At 12 months | At 2+ years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000/month | Up to $12,000 | Up to $15,000 | Up to $15,000+ |
| $25,000/month | Up to $30,000 | Up to $37,500 | Up to $37,500+ |
| $50,000/month | Up to $60,000 | Up to $75,000 | Up to $75,000+ |
| $100,000/month | Up to $120,000 | Up to $150,000 | Up to $150,000+ |
Indicative only, assessed case by case against lender policy. Get an instant figure with how much can I borrow or model repayments in the business overdraft calculator.
Quick facts at 6 months trading
How to strengthen your application at 6 months
You can't change how long you've been trading. But you can significantly improve your approval odds and the terms you receive:
- Run all revenue through your business account. Revenue deposited into personal accounts doesn't count. If you've been mixing finances, switch everything to a dedicated business account now - ideally 2 to 3 months before applying.
- Apply during your strongest revenue period. Lenders weight your most recent 3 months most heavily. Just had your best month yet? Apply now.
- Clean up your bank account. 90 days of clean statements - no dishonoured payments, no unarranged negative balances - materially improves approval probability.
- Formalise any ATO debt first. A formal payment plan converts an unmanaged problem into a managed obligation - a significant difference in how lenders read your file. See ATO tax debt and business finance.
- Use a specialist broker. At 6 months, a broker adds more value than at any other stage - they know which lenders flex on trading history and submit to one lender only, protecting your credit score.
Business overdraft vs business loan - which suits a new business better?
For businesses in their first 12 months, a business overdraft is often more suitable than a term loan, where you qualify. Here's why:
- You only pay interest on what you draw down, not the full facility
- It's revolving - repay and redraw as your cash flow allows
- No loan-style repayment schedule (many non-bank lenders set minimum weekly repayments), giving you more flexibility in unpredictable early months
The overdraft eligibility guide is a 1-year ABN for property owners or 2 years otherwise, with strong candidates considered from 6 months - so at the 6-month mark the standard path is a business loan, with an unsecured business overdraft possible for strong profiles, assessed case by case.
The application process for 6-month businesses
- Check your estimate - use the calculator on our homepage. 2 minutes, no credit check.
- Upload bank statements - 6 months as PDF from your internet banking.
- OverdraftMe assesses - across 50+ lenders, identifying who has appetite for 6-month businesses at your revenue level.
- Single application submitted - to the best matched lender. One application, one enquiry.
- Decision returned - from 1 hour, with funds same business day in many cases.
Common industries getting approved at 6 months
OverdraftMe helps 6-month businesses across every industry. Particularly common: electricians and plumbers with strong consistent revenue from day one, cafes and restaurants with high daily transaction volumes, cleaning companies with recurring contract revenue, landscapers with regular seasonal patterns, and IT contractors with high per-invoice revenue.
Under 6 months trading?
Honestly: formal business finance through non-bank lenders is generally not available before the 6-month mark. Options at that stage are limited to personal lending in your own name, business credit cards or equity - each with real trade-offs. The most effective move is to run all revenue through a dedicated business account, keep it clean, and apply the week you cross 6 months. Full breakdown of what is and isn't available: startup business loans in Australia.
Ready to see if you qualify?
Use our free calculator - takes 2 minutes, no credit check required. Or model your repayments first, or talk it through on the phone.
Check my eligibility →Frequently asked questions
Can I get a business loan with 6 months trading?
Yes. Specialist non-bank lenders accept 6 months trading history. You need $6,000+/month revenue, an Equifax score of 550+, and 6 months of bank statements. No tax returns are required under $150,000.
What loan options suit a new ABN with six months of trading history?
Three products are genuinely available at six months: an unsecured business loan (lump sum, fixed 3 to 36 month term), a business overdraft or line of credit for strong profiles, and invoice finance if you issue B2B invoices. All are assessed on 6 months of bank statements with $6,000+ monthly turnover and an Equifax score of 550+, no tax returns under $150,000.
How much can I borrow with 6 months trading?
At the 6-month mark lenders are more conservative: typically 1 to 1.2x your average monthly revenue, with limits commonly capped around $75,000 for strong profiles and around $50,000 for fair-credit profiles. Capacity grows with trading history - at 12 months and beyond, guides of 1 to 1.5x monthly revenue apply, up to $500,000.
What revenue do I need to get a business loan with 6 months trading?
Most specialist lenders require a minimum of $6,000 per month in business revenue for businesses with 6 months trading history. This is verified through your business bank statements.
Do I need good credit to get a business loan with 6 months trading?
A minimum Equifax credit score of 550 is typically required. You do not need an excellent credit score. Lenders place more weight on your bank statement health and revenue consistency than credit score alone.
Do I need tax returns for a business loan at 6 months?
No. Under $150,000, non-bank lenders assess your application on 6 months of business bank statements, your ABN and a driver's licence. No tax returns, BAS or financial statements are required.
Can a new business get an unsecured overdraft?
The guide for overdrafts is a 1-year ABN if you own property or a 2-year ABN if you do not - but strong candidates with consistent revenue can qualify from 6 months, assessed case by case. A business loan is the standard product at 6 months, and no property security is required under $150,000 either way.
What if my business is less than 6 months old?
If your business is under 6 months old, formal business finance through non-bank lenders is generally not yet available. Options include personal loans, business credit cards, or equity. The best approach is to build consistent revenue and apply once you reach the 6-month mark.