Free tool
Industry finder: how lenders see your business
Pick your industry. In one click you'll see what businesses like yours usually borrow for, what a lender will look at, the paperwork to gather and the red flags worth fixing first.
No match — try a broader word, or pick the closest industry. We look at almost every kind of business.
Pick an industry above
Your result appears here: typical uses, the lender's view, a document checklist, red flags and an illustrative scenario.
Why your industry changes the conversation with a lender
Two businesses with identical turnover can look completely different to a lender. A café banks card takings every day; a builder might wait six weeks for a progress claim. A dental surgery's chairs and scanners hold some resale value; a craft brewery's tanks are specialised and slower to sell. A pharmacy's income leans on PBS claims, while an NDIS provider is paid in arrears after the support is delivered. None of these is good or bad — they simply change which questions a lender asks and which documents answer them.
That's why this site is organised industry by industry. The finder condenses the essentials, and each result links to a full guide with more detail, worked examples and official sources.
How to use your result
- Read the lender's view. It tells you which parts of your business will get the closest look — cash flow timing, contracts, licences, equipment or occupancy.
- Tick off the documents. Gathering them before you enquire makes the first call quicker and the match more accurate.
- Check the red flags. Most are fixable or explainable. A red flag you mention up front is far less damaging than one a lender finds on page nine of your bank statements.
- Note the lane. Some industries lean towards property-secured lending, others fit unsecured cash-flow facilities. Knowing which is likely saves time.
What we can look at
Property-secured business loans run from $20,000 to $5,000,000 using first mortgages, second mortgages or caveat loans over residential or commercial property. For trading businesses without property to offer, unsecured, cash-flow and line-of-credit options typically run from $5,000 to $500,000, sized on turnover and bank statements. Past credit issues and ATO debt are considered case by case. Everything is for business purposes.
When you're ready, start a 60-second enquiry. There's no credit check when you first enquire, your details aren't sent out to a crowd of lenders, and a real person who has read your answers calls you back. Answer the form as accurately as you can — industry, amount and any property you own matter most — so the first option you hear about is the right one.
Industry finder questions
What does the industry finder show?
Pick an industry and it lists what businesses in that industry commonly borrow for, how lenders tend to read that kind of business, the documents worth gathering, the red flags that slow applications down, an illustrative scenario and the lending lane that usually fits. Each result links to a full guide.
Is the industry finder an offer or approval?
No. It's general information drawn from how lenders commonly look at each industry. Your own trading history, security and circumstances decide what's possible, which is why a real person reviews every enquiry.
My industry isn't listed. Can I still apply?
Yes. The finder covers 44 common industries, but we look at business finance for almost any Australian business with an ABN. Pick the closest match for ideas, then tell us about your business in the enquiry form.
Does using the tool affect my credit file?
No. The tool runs in your browser and stores nothing. Even when you enquire, there's no credit check at that first step — it only comes up if you decide to go ahead with an application.
Why do lenders care what industry I'm in?
Industry shapes how money moves through a business: how customers pay, how seasonal income is, what the equipment is worth second-hand and which licences must stay current. Lenders use industry to decide what to check, not simply whether to say yes or no.
Can I tick off documents as I gather them?
Yes. The documents list in each result has checkboxes, and the counter shows how many you have ready. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere — it's just a handy checklist while you prepare.
Found your industry? Let's talk about your business
The finder shows how lenders see your industry. A 60-second enquiry lets a real person look at how they'll see you — with no credit check to enquire.
No credit check to enquire
Not sent to a crowd of lenders
A real person who gets your industry