Home > Business Loans > Low Doc Business Loans
Low Doc Business Loans
Even without the key documents, there are still options available to your business. Find out more about low doc loans with Savvy.
Author
Savvy Editorial TeamFact checked
The features of low doc business loans
Alternative documentation requirements
You can apply without having the required tax returns, instead utilising alternative documents such as an income declaration, Business Activity Statements (BAS) and bank statements.
Use them however you like
There aren’t any real restrictions on how you can use your business loan (provided that it’s for business purposes), providing you with greater freedom to do what you like with your funds.
Fast approvals
Even without the documents required for standard business loans, you can have your low doc business loan turned around in a matter of days, giving fast access to the funds you need.
Decide your borrowing term
You get to choose whether to make your low doc loan a short-term one over as few as three months or a longer-term repayment of two to three years (in some cases more).
Online application and approval
The application process is a convenient one for borrowers, as you can fill out your form, submit your documents and sign your contract entirely online.
Broad eligibility
Your business only needs to have been trading for a minimum of six months to qualify for most loans, with ABN and GST registration and permanent residency other common requirements.
Low doc business loans explained
What are low doc business loans?
A low doc business loan (short for “low documentation”) is a loan specifically tailored for customers who, for one reason or another, don’t have sufficient records of their business finances. This is primarily the case because they simply don’t exist due to the business being in its infancy, although it may also be necessary as a result of inadequate record-keeping or the loss of important files.
Normally, a business lender in Australia will require you to submit tax returns and business records for the last two years your business has been operating. For some businesses, this can be difficult. A self-employed worker may not need to keep the same level of detailed records that a larger business might and if your business has only been running for six to twelve months, you might simply not have the records expected for a standard business loan. This is where low doc loans come in.
Low doc loans are generally much easier to apply for, as – by definition – there's less paperwork expected. They’re also relatively easy to get approved and getting one can have certain tax benefits (such as repayments being GST free). The trade-off is a low doc business loan might be a little more expensive than regular loan business finance (also called a full doc loan) in terms of interest rates.
What do I need to apply for a low doc business loan?
Requirements for low doc and no doc business loans vary but, as a general guideline, you’ll need an ABN that’s been active for at least two years, at to be registered for GST. In terms of the documentation you do need, you should plan to provide the following.
- Personal identity documents such as a passport and/or driver’s licence
- Six months’ worth of bank statements for your business
- A signed income declaration (which is generally sent to you by the lender).
You may also need six months’ worth of BAS documents and a letter from your accountant confirming projected income.
The standards are different for different lenders, though. Some don’t require GST registration. Some only require an ABN to have been active for six to 12 months. Some require collateral from you, while others don’t. It’s worth shopping around and seeing what each lender requires before settling on a particular low doc loan. Savvy’s a great place to start that process, allowing you to easily compare different small business loans and find the best finance choices that suit your documentation needs.
Types of business loan
The most common type of business finance, unsecured loans enable businesses to access the funds they need without attaching an asset to the loan as security. Some lenders may allow you to borrow up to $500,000 and, because there's no collateral, offer same-day approval.
If your business already owns valuable assets, such as property or expensive equipment, you may choose a secured business loan instead. These loans may increase your borrowing power beyond what an unsecured loan can offer and, crucially, typically come with lower interest rates.
Business loans don't always have to be worth hundreds of thousands. If you're operating a small business and need a boost to help you keep on top of your expenses or expand your company, you may be able to take out a loan starting from as little as $5,000 and unlock further capital.
Just because you don't have all the required documents for a standard business loan doesn't mean you're out of options. Low doc finance enables you to use alternative documentation, such as other business financials, in the application process to access the funds you need.
A commercial line of credit allows you to draw from your loan account whenever your business needs access to their funds, instead of managing a lump sum and repaying it like a regular loan. This can add flexibility to your finance arrangement, providing money when you need it.
Invoice finance presents another option to business operators looking to free up cash through outstanding invoices yet to be paid by their customers. Your invoice finance can either be invoice discounting or factoring, which present different options when it comes to your invoices.
A common reason for seeking out a loan is to purchase commercial equipment. You can do this either with an unsecured arrangement or one with the equipment itself as collateral, with the latter potentially increasing your borrowing power and lowering your interest rate.
With this finance, when your business purchases product, your supplier provides an invoice which you send to your financier and pledge to repay by a set date. From there, your supplier sells the invoice to your financier at a discounted rate, while you repay the full amount to your financier.
Under an inventory finance agreement, your lender pays your supplier directly for inventory, which allows it to be signed off and sent to you. From there, you can pay off your debt within a pre-determined period to your lender, which may be longer than the regular debtor period.
An overdraft facility is attached to an existing financial account belonging to your business, such as a transaction or savings account, and enables you to borrow up to a set limit after the account’s balance reaches zero. These overdrafts are repaid with interest, but only on what you use.
You may simply be in a position where your business needs a boost to its cash flow. If this is the case, there’s a range of stop-gap solutions which may be suitable for your situation, from standard unsecured loans to specialist cash flow loans, invoice finance or even an overdraft.
Why compare business loans through Savvy?
100% free service
It won't cost you a cent to compare a range of business loans through Savvy, enabling you to come back at any time.
Reputable lending partners
You can compare business loan offers through a range of trusted Australian lenders, giving you more confidence in the process.
Online comparison process
You can fill out our simple online form to generate business finance quotes tailored to your business' needs in minutes.
How do I compare different low doc business loans?
Interest rates & fees
Probably the first difference people look at is the fees and interest rates, which most directly affect what a low doc loan will cost your business. A comparison rate is always crucial to look above a basic interest rate, as it accounts for many of the fees and gives you a better snapshot of the overall cost.
Remember, though, that low doc loans have higher interest than full doc loans, so it’s not always productive to directly compare the two.
Loan amounts
Different lenders can offer different amounts. One lender might be technically able to offer unsecured loans from $10,000 to $200,000, but might only offer you a maximum of $90,000 (based on the specifics of your business such as its cashflow and period in operation). If you need more (or less) than those amounts, you might need to look elsewhere.
Another might offer between $5,000 and $120,000, making them potentially a better choice. You should be careful, though – you won’t know the lender’s final maximum offer until you’ve applied and it’s bad for your credit to apply for lots of loans in a short time.
Required documentation
As mentioned, required documentation varies between lenders. If your business has only had an active ABN for 18 months and isn’t registered for GST, that might take certain lenders off the table, but keep others in the frame.
Repayment flexibility
Lenders vary in the flexibility they offer for loan terms and repayment schedules. Some lenders might have the choice of weekly, fortnightly, or monthly payments. You’ll likely have the option to repay your loan over a term of around one to three years if they’re unsecured or up to ten if secured.
Having a lender who can adjust the length of your loan and the frequency of repayments to work with your business’ finances can be a big advantage.
Frequently asked questions about low doc business loans
This is an official legal document you use to declare your business’ income when you don’t have the paperwork to demonstrate it. It’s a little like signing an affidavit – you're officially, formally and legally stating what your business has earned in a given period, rather than providing evidence.
Yes – although you can’t simply switch a low doc loan over to full doc, most commercial loans can be refinanced if your situation changes, and low-doc loans are no different. You’ll want to check the specifics of this with your lender though, as some lenders charge high fees for this – which can lessen the benefit of switching.
It’s no worse than any other loan – the application requires a hard credit check which causes a slight dip in your credit score, but this is the same with any loan application. The fact it’s a low doc loan makes no difference to your business’ credit.
Yes – some commercial lenders offer low doc loans to businesses with bad credit. They’ll come with higher fees than a standard low doc loan, so you should bear that in mind when assessing your options.
Not really – modern business loans have a lot of flexibility in terms of what the money can be used for, so a low doc loan could be used for property maintenance, equipment upgrades, set-up for special events or conferences, wages in a period of temporary shortfall, or buying a business vehicle. As long as you’re declaring the purpose of the loan in your application, and it’s specifically for business purposes, it’s your choice what you do with the money.
Still looking for the right finance for your business?
Explore a range of business loan options suitable to your financing needs and apply online through Savvy today.