Flexible business finance

Business line of credit for Australian SMEs

A revolving credit facility that lets you draw funds when you need them and repay as cash flows in. Up to $500K, no tax returns under $150K.

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A business line of credit is a revolving facility that gives your Australian business access to funds up to an approved limit. Draw what you need, when you need it, pay interest only on what you use. When you repay, the funds are available again without reapplying. It is one of the most flexible working capital tools available to Australian SMEs.

Through OverdraftMe, business lines of credit from $10,000 to $500,000 are available through our panel of 50+ non-bank lenders. No tax returns, no property security, decisions from 1 hour.

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What is a business line of credit?

A business line of credit is a pre-approved borrowing facility with a set limit. Unlike a term loan where you receive a lump sum and repay over a fixed schedule, a line of credit lets you draw and repay repeatedly. Once repaid, the funds become available again. No new application, no new credit enquiry.

Think of it as a pool of money your business can access whenever needed. You might draw $20,000 to buy stock this week, repay $15,000 when a client pays next week, then draw $30,000 for payroll the week after. The facility revolves continuously for the life of the agreement.

Interest is charged only on the amount you have drawn at any time, not the full approved limit. A $100,000 line of credit sitting completely unused costs only the annual line fee, typically $1,000 to $2,000 per year. The moment you draw $30,000, interest starts accruing on that $30,000 only. When you repay it, the interest stops immediately.

This structure makes lines of credit dramatically cheaper than they appear on paper, because most businesses only use a fraction of their limit at any given time. A business with a $100,000 facility that averages $25,000 drawn is paying interest on $25,000, not $100,000.

How a business line of credit works - step by step

  1. You apply and get approved for a limit. Through OverdraftMe, this takes 1-24 hours for unsecured facilities up to $500,000. Your limit is based on your business's average monthly revenue, typically 1 to 1.5 times your monthly deposits.
  2. The facility sits ready. When you do not need to draw, the facility costs only the annual line fee. There is no pressure to use it.
  3. You draw when you need to. Transfer funds to your business bank account to pay a supplier, cover payroll, or fund any business expense. Interest starts on the drawn amount only.
  4. You repay from cash flow. When client payments arrive or revenue comes in, you put funds back into the facility. Your drawn balance drops and interest drops proportionally.
  5. The facility resets. Every dollar you repay becomes available to draw again. No reapplication, no new credit enquiry, no waiting.
  6. Repeat as often as needed. Draw, repay, draw, repay. The facility operates continuously for 12 months, then is reviewed and typically renewed.

Business line of credit interest rates in Australia - April 2026

Interest rates on a business line of credit in Australia depend on whether the facility is secured by property or unsecured:

Facility typeInterest rateLine feeEstablishment feeApproval time
Unsecured (non-bank lender)14.55% - 25% p.a.1% - 2% p.a.$0 - $995Same day
Secured (bank)6% - 12% p.a.0.5% - 1.7% p.a.$500 - $2,000+4-8 weeks

The rate you receive depends on your credit score (higher is better), trading history (longer is better), monthly revenue (higher is better), and whether you offer property as security.

Through OverdraftMe, we compare 50+ lenders simultaneously to find the lowest rate for your specific profile. We submit to one lender only, protecting your credit score from multiple enquiries. Full 2026 rate comparison.

What does a $100,000 business line of credit actually cost?

The real cost depends on how much you actually draw. Here is a realistic cost breakdown at different usage levels, assuming 18% p.a. interest and 1.5% line fee:

Usage levelAverage drawnMonthly interestMonthly line feeTotal monthly costAfter tax (25% rate)
Light (25%)$25,000$375$125$500$375
Moderate (50%)$50,000$750$125$875$656
Heavy (75%)$75,000$1,125$125$1,250$938
Fully drawn (100%)$100,000$1,500$125$1,625$1,219

All interest and fees on a business line of credit used for business purposes are generally tax deductible under Section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. At the 25% base rate entity tax rate, the after-tax cost is 25% lower than the gross cost. Full tax deductions guide.

For cost breakdowns at specific facility sizes: $20K | $50K | $75K | $100K | $200K

Business line of credit vs business overdraft

In practice, a business line of credit and a business overdraft are almost identical products. Both are revolving facilities. Both charge interest only on drawn amounts. Both can be unsecured. Both have similar rates and fee structures.

The technical difference is how you access funds. An overdraft is linked directly to your business transaction account, which means you access funds by going into a negative balance on your everyday account. A line of credit is typically a separate facility where you transfer funds to your bank account when needed.

Most non-bank lenders use the terms interchangeably. When you apply through OverdraftMe, we match you to the best product regardless of what the lender calls it. The rates, terms, and functionality are what matter, not the label. Full line of credit vs overdraft comparison.

Business line of credit vs business loan

A business term loan gives you a lump sum with fixed weekly or monthly repayments over a set term, typically 6 to 24 months. Interest is charged on the full loan amount from day one.

A line of credit is revolving, with flexible repayments and interest only on drawn amounts. There is no fixed repayment schedule.

Line of creditTerm loan
StructureRevolving - draw and repay repeatedlyLump sum with fixed repayments
Best forOngoing cash flow managementOne-off purchases (equipment, vehicles)
Interest onOnly what you drawFull loan amount from day one
RepaymentsFlexible - repay when cash allowsFixed weekly or monthly schedule
Reusable?Yes - facility resets when repaidNo - need to reapply for more
Rate14.55% - 25% (unsecured)12% - 22% (unsecured)

Use a line of credit for ongoing working capital. Use a term loan for specific purchases with a defined repayment timeline. Many businesses use both: a line of credit for cash flow and a term loan for assets. Full comparison.

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What can you use a business line of credit for?

A business line of credit can be used for any legitimate business purpose. The most common uses include:

Eligibility requirements

Through OverdraftMe's panel of 50+ non-bank lenders, the minimum requirements for a business line of credit are:

You do NOT need: tax returns, BAS, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, financial statements, business plans, property security (under $150,000), or a specific industry. Full eligibility guide.

Banks typically require 2+ years trading, full financial statements for two years, lodged tax returns, 12 months of BAS, and often property security. Approval takes 4-8 weeks. This is why most SMEs under 2 years old or without property available use non-bank lenders through a broker.

How much can you access?

Non-bank lenders typically approve 1 to 1.5 times your average monthly revenue for a line of credit facility. Limits range from $10,000 to $500,000.

Monthly revenueTypical facility limit
$6,000 - $15,000$10,000 - $25,000
$15,000 - $30,000$25,000 - $50,000
$30,000 - $80,000$50,000 - $150,000
$80,000 - $200,000$150,000 - $300,000
$200,000+$300,000 - $500,000

As your business grows and you build a repayment track record, limit increases are common. Many clients start with $30,000-$50,000 and increase to $100,000+ within 12 months without reapplying from scratch. Use our borrowing calculator for an instant estimate.

How to apply for a business line of credit through OverdraftMe

  1. Complete the 2-minute eligibility check. Click here to start. No credit check at this stage. No commitment. We just need basic details about your business.
  2. Your broker calls within 1 hour. You deal directly with John Pierre Saliba, a senior finance broker with over 10 years of experience in Australian financial services. John holds a Bachelor of Business and Commerce, Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning, and Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management. He is an accredited member of the MFAA, registered with AFCA, and operates under Australian Credit Licence 511092.
  3. Provide 6 months of bank statements. Download from your internet banking as PDF and email or upload them. This is the only financial document required.
  4. We submit to the best lender. One application, to one lender, creating one credit enquiry. We choose the lender most likely to approve your application with the best rate for your profile. We never shotgun applications to multiple lenders.
  5. Decision and funding. Decisions from 1 hour for straightforward applications. Same-day funding is available for applications submitted before 11am. Most facilities are funded within 24 hours.

OverdraftMe's service is completely free. We are paid by the lender on settlement, not by you. There is no cost to enquire, no cost for advice, and no obligation to proceed.

Full application guide | No credit check to enquire | Same-day funding guide

Lenders on our panel

OverdraftMe compares 50+ lenders for business lines of credit. Our panel includes Shift, Prospa, Moula, Banjo, Bizcap, Lumi, OnDeck, Judo Bank, and many others. Each lender has different strengths:

Our job is to match your specific profile to the single best lender. This is why using a broker matters. You do not need to know which lender is best for you. We do.

Business line of credit for specific situations

Industries we serve

OverdraftMe arranges lines of credit for businesses across every industry in Australia. Our most common industries include:

Browse all 111 industries we serve

Advantages and disadvantages of a business line of credit

Advantages

Disadvantages

Full advantages and disadvantages breakdown

Frequently asked questions

Is a business line of credit the same as a business overdraft?

In practice, yes. Both are revolving facilities where you draw and repay as needed, paying interest only on drawn amounts. The structural difference is minor. An overdraft links to your transaction account while a line of credit may be a separate facility. Most non-bank lenders treat them identically.

Can I get a business line of credit with bad credit?

Yes, with limitations. The minimum Equifax score for most non-bank lenders is 550. Some specialist lenders will consider lower scores. Bad credit may result in a smaller facility and higher interest rate, but it does not automatically disqualify you. Over 60% of businesses approved through OverdraftMe have imperfect credit histories. Bad credit business loan guide.

How fast can I get approved?

Through OverdraftMe, decisions come from 1 hour and same-day funding is available for straightforward applications submitted before 11am. Apply before 11am with your bank statements ready for the best chance of same-day settlement. Same-day funding guide.

Is the interest tax deductible?

Yes. All interest and fees on a business line of credit used for business purposes are generally tax deductible under Section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. This includes interest on drawn funds, the line fee on the full limit, and the establishment fee. Tax deductions guide.

Do I need property security?

No. Unsecured business lines of credit up to $500,000 are available based on business cash flow alone. No property, no assets, no collateral. No property guide.

What is the minimum trading history?

6 months with most non-bank lenders. Some accept from 3 months with stronger revenue. Banks typically require 2+ years. New business guide.

What is the minimum turnover?

$6,000 per month deposited into your business bank account for most non-bank lenders. Some lenders will consider lower turnover for established businesses with strong credit profiles.

What happens at annual review?

Most facilities are reviewed annually. The lender reassesses your business performance, typically from updated bank statements. If your revenue has maintained or grown and your repayment history is clean, the facility is renewed automatically. Many businesses receive limit increases at review. If revenue has dropped significantly, the lender may adjust the limit.

About your broker

OverdraftMe is operated by John Pierre Saliba, a senior finance broker with over 10 years of experience in Australian financial services. John's qualifications include:

When you enquire through OverdraftMe, you deal with John directly from first conversation to settlement. No call centres, no junior staff, no handoffs. John has personally settled hundreds of business finance facilities and knows which lender will deliver the best outcome for your specific situation.

Book a free 15-minute call with John or call 02 8046 3933.

Related guides

Free: Business Line of Credit Factsheet 2026
Eligibility, rates, costs and worked examples in a 2-page PDF.
Read the factsheet →

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