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Business loans

How fast can you get a business loan in Australia?

It depends on who you go to, how prepared you are, and what type of loan you’re applying for.
by
Carolina Mateus
4
min read
Published:
February 23, 2026
Last updated:
February 23, 2026
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Key Takeaways:
  • Fast business loans can be approved and funded in as little as 24 hours.
  • Traditional banks often take days or weeks due to paperwork and internal checks.
  • Low-doc and no-doc loans streamline approvals for quicker access to funds.
  • Clear financials, accurate borrowing amounts, and responsive communication speed up applications.
  • Valiant helps match your business to the right lender, balancing speed with suitability.

A lot of business owners ask us, “Can I get cash quickly if something urgent comes up?”

The short answer is yes, you can. The longer answer? It depends on who you go to, how prepared you are, and what type of loan you’re applying for.

If you’re here, chances are that something’s moving in your business. You know you need funding but are still weighing up your options and wondering how fast “fast” truly is. Let’s flesh this out.

Why speed matters in business finance

At Valiant, we speak to business owners who need funding for all sorts of reasons:

  • A supplier is offering a limited-time bulk discount
  • A bigger contract requires upfront materials
  • An essential piece of equipment has broken down
  • A seasonal spike means casual staff is needed
  • A client hasn’t paid an invoice on time, and cash flow is tight

In each of these scenarios, waiting weeks for approval can cost you revenue and momentum. 

The difference between funding in 24 hours versus, say, 3 weeks can literally determine whether you can jump on an opportunity or have to let it go.

This is why timing is such a powerful leverage in business, and why knowing your potential funding timeline is key before committing to any loan.

Common delays with traditional banks

When you go straight to a bank, the process can be quite thorough, and even strong businesses can find themselves stuck in a queue.

Typical delays come from:

  • Extensive paperwork requirements
  • Multiple internal credit checks
  • Back-and-forth requests for extra info
  • Manual approval processes

As a result, approvals can take days, sometimes even weeks. Meanwhile, that golden opportunity slips through your fingers. Or a crucial bit of equipment breaks down, and suddenly you’re stuck playing catch-up. 

This isn’t to say that banks are “bad”, but they’re structured for lower risk and longer assessment cycles. And when you need funding ASAP, their timelines may not align with your reality.

How Valiant helps you get funds fast

Speed in business lending usually comes down to one thing: options.

That’s why we work with 90+ lenders, so we can line up thousands of loan options across different sectors and risk profiles until we find the one that fits your business like a glove.

Once approved, funds can hit your account in as little as 24 hours. How?

  • Applications are matched to suitable lenders upfront
  • Paperwork requirements can be streamlined
  • Low-doc and no-doc loan options reduce friction

Balancing speed with safety

This all sounds great, but we know what you might be thinking… “Does getting money fast mean I’m taking on more risk?”

Rushing into a loan can be risky. The truth is that some lenders can sometimes hide costs or impose strict repayment terms that can catch you off guard.

That said, fast funding shouldn’t – and doesn’t have to – mean nasty surprises. Not with Valiant, anyway. We value suitability just as much as speed and make sure your loan:

  • Matches your cash flow cycle
  • Comes with transparent terms you understand fully
  • Clearly outlines total costs
  • Supports your growth and business goals

How to get a business loan faster

Even with fast lenders, being unprepared can drag out the process. So, how can you put yourself in the best position to get approved – and get approved quickly?

Know your numbers

Unclear borrowing amounts and vague purposes slow everything down. So before applying, be clear on:

  • How much you need
  • What you’ll use the funds for
  • What you can comfortably afford in repayments
  • How quickly the loan will generate value in your business

Think about it, which one sounds better:

  1. “I need money to buy some equipment for my business”

OR

  1. “I need $80k to purchase equipment that will increase production by 30%, and I can comfortably manage $X per week in repayments”?

Have your documents ready to go

Even with low-doc or no-doc loans, there’s still some paperwork involved. Typically, lenders ask for:

Keeping your financials tidy and up-to-date is smart anyway, but especially if you’ll need funding soon. It means lenders don’t have to chase missing information, and you won’t have to scramble around gathering docs while running your business.

Be responsive during the application process

This one might sound obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning: fast approvals rely on fast communication.

If a lender comes back with a clarification request and it takes 3 days to respond, your “24-hour approval” can easily turn into a week-long wait.

When both sides move quickly and respond promptly, deals get done quickly.

Strengthen your cash flow profile

Lenders want confidence that your business can comfortably manage repayments. That means they’ll look at metrics like revenue consistency, average monthly turnover, and any large irregular withdrawals. 

If these numbers look off, lenders may hesitate, slowing down the process or limiting loan options.

Planning ahead gives you a chance to improve your profile by:

  • Reducing unnecessary large withdrawals
  • Ensuring revenue flows through one primary account
  • Avoiding excessive unpaid direct debits

Now, we understand that keeping track of all these details while running a business is a lot to juggle. And that’s exactly where Valiant really comes in. We’ll guide you through what lenders will be looking for, help you organise your paperwork efficiently, and make sure your application is presented in the best possible way.

Leaning on our expertise will save you time and headaches and give you the best chance of quick approval without having to figure it all out alone. 

Get a quote today and see how quickly your business could access the funds it needs.

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The content in this blog is provided for general information purposes only. It doesn't constitute financial advice and shouldn't be relied upon as such. Always consult a licensed financial advisor, accountant, or legal professional to consider your personal circumstances before making financial decisions.

References:

About the author
Carolina Mateus is an SEO Content Specialist at Valiant Finance, creating content that helps SMEs navigate business finance with confidence. She develops clear, actionable guides to simplify complex topics and support smarter funding decisions.
Ryan Ragland is VP of Enterprise Solutions at Valiant Finance, partnering with OEMs, resellers, and lenders to embed finance directly into their sales workflows. He designs scalable solutions that speed up deal cycles, improve customer experience, and unlock new revenue opportunities for partners.
Richie Cotton is Co-Founder and CTO at Valiant Finance, driving the company’s technology strategy and product innovation. He oversees the development of Valiant’s embedded finance platform and scalable solutions that make accessing business funding faster, simpler, and more reliable for SMEs.
Alex Molloy is CEO and Co-Founder of Valiant Finance, leading the company’s mission to make business finance more accessible and efficient. Since founding Valiant, he’s guided its growth from an Australian startup to a global fintech powering embedded finance for major institutions and platforms.
Henry Baker is Head of Working Capital at Valiant Finance, leading the company’s working capital solutions. He helps SMEs unlock funding to smooth daily operations and support strategic growth without additional financial burden.
Luke Saleh is Head of Asset Finance at Valiant Finance, leading the company’s vehicle and equipment lending solutions. He helps SMEs access loans that match their goals, enabling them to scale efficiently and invest in essential assets.
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James Pattison is National Business Development Manager at Valiant Finance, enabling brokers and accountants to diversify into asset finance and working capital funding, backed by 20 years in finance.
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