Business finance comparison

Trade finance in Australia

Trade finance may help SMEs fund supplier payments, purchase orders, imports or stock cycles before customer revenue arrives. The fit depends on supplier reliability, order evidence, margins, shipment timing and repayment source.

Estimate repayments before you apply

Guide only. Lender fees, frequency, and structure can change the final cost.

Loan amountInterest rate (% p.a.)Term (years)

Estimated monthly

$3,957

Estimated total repay

$142,456

Estimated total interest

$22,456

Direct answer

Trade Finance

Trade Finance 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.

Key facts

Field	What to know
Page type	Funding guide
Common use	Comparing funding fit before applying
Typical documents	ABN, bank statements, revenue evidence, tax position, loan purpose and identity details
Main risk	Applying without matching product type, repayment source and lender criteria
Commercial note	General information only; approval, rates and terms depend on lender assessment

Overview

Compare business loan rates and lenders in Australia

Filter by product, amount and security type to narrow suitable options.

Rates updated 10 May 2026

Product type

Loan amountSecurity

Sort by

Lender	Product	Rate from	Amount	Term	Speed	Compare
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
Lumi	Lumi Line of Credit Reusable credit for ongoing gaps	14.55%	$10,000 - $750,000	0.5-5 years	24-48 hours	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

Banjo

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 now

Lumi

Lumi Line of Credit

14.55%

$10,000 - $750,000 • 0.5-5 years

24-48 hours

Best for: Reusable credit for ongoing gaps

Compare now

Moula

Moula Business Loan

15.80%

$5,000 - $250,000 • 0.3-2 years

Same day possible

Best for: Short-term cash-flow funding

Compare now

Capify

Capify Business Loan

16.50%

$5,000 - $300,000 • 0.3-2 years

Within 24 hours

Best for: Short-term revenue-linked funding

Compare now

Rates 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.

Decision guide

Situation	Better starting point	Why
Clear one-off purchase	Asset or term finance	Match repayments to the use of funds
Repeat cash-flow timing gaps	Line of credit or working capital finance	Compare reusable access against fixed repayments
Bank declined or documents are incomplete	Check funding fit before applying again	Avoid repeated applications without fixing the reason

How this page is reviewed

Field	Method
Last reviewed	2026-05-05
Sources checked	Public lender pages, product pages, government or regulatory sources where relevant, and Comparison One rate-table inputs
How data is ordered	By funding-fit relevance, product type and editorial grouping
Limits	Rates, limits, terms, fees and eligibility can change without notice and depend on lender assessment
Commercial disclosure	Comparison One may receive referral or partner compensation, but this does not guarantee approval or mean a product is suitable

Compare the main funding paths

Funding path	May suit	Why compare it	Watch-outs
Bank loan	Strong docs, time, security	Potentially lower pricing	Slower criteria and more paperwork
Non-bank loan	Speed, flexible criteria, bank decline	Faster pathways for some SMEs	Cost can be higher
Specialist facility	Invoices, equipment, trade or seasonal need	Matches funding to the specific problem	Eligibility depends on asset or receivable quality

What trade finance is

Trade Finance 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, trade finance 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

Trade Finance 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 business has confirmed purchase orders or supplier invoices

✓stock must be paid for before customer revenue arrives

✓import timing creates a cash-before-growth gap

✓the business can show margins and repayment source

✓trade cycle evidence is stronger than unsecured borrowing evidence

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.

✓orders are speculative or unconfirmed

✓supplier or shipment risk is high

✓margins are too thin after finance costs

✓customers are uncertain or payment terms are weak

✓the business needs working capital unrelated to trade flow

Domestic, import and export funding needs

Trade finance can be relevant for local supplier payments, imports, export orders and inventory cycles. Export Finance Australia and business.gov.au both publish information about export-related support, but eligibility depends on program and lender criteria. Comparison One should keep the page focused on fit: what is being bought, who will pay, when cash returns and what could go wrong in between.

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.

✓supplier invoice or purchase order

✓customer orders or contracts

✓gross margin and repayment source

✓shipment timing and logistics risk

✓trading history and bank statements

✓foreign exchange or import exposure

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.

✓facility fee or interest

✓drawdown and transaction fees

✓FX or international payment costs

✓insurance and shipping costs

✓late shipment or delay costs

✓repayment timing

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.

✓supplier invoice

✓purchase order or customer contract

✓shipping and customs documents where relevant

✓bank statements

✓inventory plan

✓cash-flow 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?

Frequently asked questions

What is Trade Finance?

Trade Finance is a funding pathway that may suit some Australian SMEs when the purpose, timing, documentation and repayment capacity fit lender criteria.

When might trade finance suit an Australian small business?

It may suit when the funding need is specific, the repayment source is clear and the business can provide evidence that supports the application.

When might trade finance be the wrong fit?

It may be the wrong fit where the business lacks a clear repayment path, needs professional tax/legal/insolvency advice first, or the product structure does not match the use of funds.

What documents might lenders ask for?

Lenders may ask for ABN details, bank statements, financials, BAS or tax information, invoices, asset quotes, purchase orders, identification and details of existing debts. Requirements vary.

Can Comparison One tell me which lender will approve me?

No. Comparison One is not a lender and does not make credit decisions. It can help narrow the funding pathway before a lender or broker assesses the business.

Is this financial advice?

No. Comparison One provides general information only. Speak with qualified financial, credit, legal or tax advisers before making decisions.

How should I compare offers?

Compare total cost, repayment frequency, fees, security, speed, lender criteria, documentation burden, flexibility and whether the repayments match the cash-flow cycle.

Where should I go next?

Start with the funding-fit check or read the related Comparison One guides linked on this page.