Commercial Fitout Funding
Commercial Fitout Funding is a business funding pathway for Australian SMEs. It may suit businesses with a clear use of funds, current trading evidence and a realistic repayment source. It may not suit businesses using debt to cover unresolved losses or applying without documents.
Commercial fitout funding may help SMEs build out a shop, clinic, warehouse, office, studio or hospitality venue before the space can generate revenue. The key issue is matching build cost, opening date and repayment capacity.
What commercial fitout funding is
Commercial Fitout Funding is a funding-fit question, not just a product label. The useful question is whether this pathway matches the asset, cash-flow timing, documentation, security position and repayment capacity of the business.
For Australian SMEs, commercial fitout funding may sit beside bank loans, non-bank loans, specialist facilities and preparation-only pathways. The right starting point depends on why the money is needed and what evidence can support the application.
When it may fit
Commercial Fitout Funding may fit when the purpose is clear and the business can show a realistic repayment path. It is most relevant when the funding need is connected to a specific timing or growth problem rather than a vague cash buffer.
- ✓ the fitout directly supports a new or expanded revenue stream
- ✓ quotes and lease terms are clear
- ✓ cash payment would drain operating buffer
- ✓ the business can stage costs and repayments
- ✓ equipment, fixtures and working capital need to be separated
Compare business loan rates and lenders in Australia
Filter by product, amount and security type to narrow suitable options.
Product type
| Lender | Product | Rate from | Amount | Term | Speed | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOQ | BOQ Business Loan Established SMEs with strong financials | 7.50% | $20,000 - $250,000 | 1-7 years | 2-5 business days | Compare now |
| CommBank | CommBank BetterBusiness Loan Bank pathway with relationship banking | 8.15% - 14.25% | $10,000 - $500,000 | 1-7 years | 2-6 business days | Compare now |
| NAB | NAB Business Options Loan SMEs wanting bank-backed facilities | 8.20% - 14.40% | $10,000 - $1,000,000 | 1-7 years | 3-7 business days | Compare now |
| ANZ | ANZ Business Loan Established SMEs with stronger docs | 8.35% - 14.75% | $20,000 - $1,000,000 | 1-7 years | 3-7 business days | Compare now |
| Judo Bank | Judo Business Loan Larger SME growth and acquisition loans | 8.50% - 13.95% | $100,000 - $3,000,000 | 1-10 years | 3-10 business days | Compare now |
| Banjo | Banjo Business Finance Growing SMEs needing flexible capital | 14.20% | $20,000 - $500,000 | 0.3-3 years | 1-2 business days | Compare now |
| Moula | Moula Business Loan Short-term cash-flow funding | 15.80% | $5,000 - $250,000 | 0.3-2 years | Same day possible | Compare now |
| Capify | Capify Business Loan Short-term revenue-linked funding | 16.50% | $5,000 - $300,000 | 0.3-2 years | Within 24 hours | Compare now |
BOQ
BOQ Business Loan
7.50%
$20,000 - $250,000 • 1-7 years
2-5 business days
Best for: Established SMEs with strong financials
Compare nowCommBank
CommBank BetterBusiness Loan
8.15% - 14.25%
$10,000 - $500,000 • 1-7 years
2-6 business days
Best for: Bank pathway with relationship banking
Compare nowNAB
NAB Business Options Loan
8.20% - 14.40%
$10,000 - $1,000,000 • 1-7 years
3-7 business days
Best for: SMEs wanting bank-backed facilities
Compare nowANZ
ANZ Business Loan
8.35% - 14.75%
$20,000 - $1,000,000 • 1-7 years
3-7 business days
Best for: Established SMEs with stronger docs
Compare nowJudo Bank
Judo Business Loan
8.50% - 13.95%
$100,000 - $3,000,000 • 1-10 years
3-10 business days
Best for: Larger SME growth and acquisition loans
Compare nowBanjo
Banjo Business Finance
14.20%
$20,000 - $500,000 • 0.3-3 years
1-2 business days
Best for: Growing SMEs needing flexible capital
Compare nowMoula
Moula Business Loan
15.80%
$5,000 - $250,000 • 0.3-2 years
Same day possible
Best for: Short-term cash-flow funding
Compare nowCapify
Capify Business Loan
16.50%
$5,000 - $300,000 • 0.3-2 years
Within 24 hours
Best for: Short-term revenue-linked funding
Compare nowRates shown are publicly advertised starting rates and ranges where available. Your actual rate depends on lender assessment, security, turnover, time in business, credit profile and loan structure. Updated 10 May 2026.
When it may not fit
Funding can create a second problem if it is used to cover a structural issue that needs advice, renegotiation or a different operating decision. A fit-first check should rule out mismatched borrowing before comparing lenders.
- ✓ the lease is not secured or terms are uncertain
- ✓ quotes are incomplete or likely to blow out
- ✓ the venue will not generate revenue soon enough
- ✓ the owner has not allowed for permits, delays or rent-free period ending
- ✓ tax and depreciation questions need advice first
Fitout, equipment and working capital are different needs
A fitout project often contains several funding problems at once: construction, fixtures, furniture, equipment, deposits, rent during works and launch stock. One facility may not fit every part. The Comparison One approach is to separate the job into categories so the owner can compare asset finance, working capital, unsecured funding or a staged approach.
How lenders may assess the application
Lenders and brokers may assess different products in different ways, but the same broad logic usually applies: purpose, trading evidence, affordability, risk and documentation all matter.
- ✓ fitout quotes and supplier details
- ✓ lease terms and rent obligations
- ✓ trading history or projected revenue
- ✓ director experience and industry risk
- ✓ bank statements and affordability
- ✓ asset or equipment components
Costs, fees and repayment structure
The headline rate is only one part of cost. Compare the full repayment rhythm and total cost before choosing a pathway. A lower-rate facility can still be the wrong fit if it is too slow, too rigid or mismatched to the business cycle.
- ✓ loan interest and fees
- ✓ deposit or progress payment needs
- ✓ drawdown timing
- ✓ fitout overruns
- ✓ rent during build period
- ✓ equipment maintenance and insurance
What to prepare before applying
Preparation improves the quality of the enquiry and helps avoid blind applications. Bring the use case into focus before asking a lender for a decision.
- ✓ builder or supplier quotes
- ✓ lease agreement
- ✓ fitout budget
- ✓ timeline to opening or relaunch
- ✓ bank statements
- ✓ financial forecast
Comparison One fit-first checklist
Before applying, ask these questions. The aim is not to make debt feel easy. The aim is to identify whether this funding path deserves a closer look.
- ✓ What exact cash-flow gap or asset need are we solving?
- ✓ Is the need urgent, seasonal, asset-backed, invoice-backed or repeatable?
- ✓ Can the business service repayments without weakening the account?
- ✓ Would a bank, non-bank or specialist facility assess this more naturally?
- ✓ Is there a safer non-debt or advice-first pathway?
- ✓ What documents will make the application credible?
- ✓ What could make a lender say no?