Business & commercial
Business and commercial finance, structured.
Business lending in Australia is structurally different to residential lending. Commercial credit managers read the business, not just a score-card. Pricing depends on industry, on tenant covenant, on cash-flow stability, on asset class, and on the borrower's existing structure. Maxfin's depth is in commercial lending that requires a real conversation with credit, not a templated submission. The firm works across business acquisitions, commercial property purchase and refinance, SMSF LRBA structures, working capital and debtor finance.
What we cover
The lending Maxfin structures in this category.
- 01
Business acquisition finance
Funding the purchase of an existing business or share of a business, using a combination of cash-flow lending, asset security, and (where applicable) ATO and lender-specific industry policies. Goodwill, plant, premises and working capital each have different lender appetites. Maxfin maps the deal across lenders that price acquisitions correctly rather than declining them as outside-policy.
- 02
Commercial property finance
Owner-occupier and investor commercial property purchases across retail, industrial, office and mixed-use. Standard owner-occupier commercial LVRs typically sit at 65% to 70%; specialised property may sit lower. Investor commercial commonly sits at 60% to 65%. The right LVR depends on property type, tenant covenant, lease term and the lender's appetite for the asset class.
- 03
SMSF commercial property lending
Limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBA) for self-managed super fund commercial property purchases. Commonly used because the SMSF can lease the property to a related-party business at arm's-length commercial rent, generating tax-effective rental income inside the fund. Typical 2026 parameters: 30% to 40% deposit, rate premium of 0.5% to 1.5% above standard investment rates, minimum fund balance of $250,000+, and post-settlement liquidity buffer of around 5% to 10% of asset value. Subject to lender criteria.
- 04
Working capital facilities
Lines of credit, overdrafts, and revolving facilities sized to typical cash-flow swings, including peak-trading season top-ups. The right facility size is the one that covers normal cash-flow gaps without sitting unused for most of the year. Maxfin reads the bank statements before recommending a facility size, rather than defaulting to a standard percentage of turnover.
- 05
Debtor and trade finance
Invoice financing, trade finance, and supply-chain finance for businesses with predictable receivables but timing mismatches between invoicing and collection. Common in construction, manufacturing, professional services and import-export. Pricing varies materially by debtor quality, by typical days-on-book, and by lender appetite for the industry.
- 06
Restructure of existing business debt
Consolidating multiple business facilities, replacing high-rate facilities, or refinancing across lenders to free up working capital. Common after a business has grown beyond its original facility structure, or after a credit-card-heavy phase that should be rolled into a structured facility at materially lower cost.
- 07
Construction and development finance
Commercial construction and small-to-medium development lending. Structurally distinct from residential construction lending, with separate progress-drawdown criteria, presale or pre-lease requirements depending on the project, and different lender panel. Project size, location, builder, and exit strategy all shape the lender match.
- 08
Trust and entity-based lending
Commercial lending where the borrower is a discretionary trust, family trust, unit trust, hybrid trust, or operating company. The commercial panel is broader on trust files than the residential panel, but more selective. Personal guarantees from beneficiaries or directors are typically required. Trust-deed review by the lender's solicitor is a real step in the process.
01Business acquisition finance
Funding the purchase of an existing business or share of a business, using a combination of cash-flow lending, asset security, and (where applicable) ATO and lender-specific industry policies. Goodwill, plant, premises and working capital each have different lender appetites. Maxfin maps the deal across lenders that price acquisitions correctly rather than declining them as outside-policy.
02Commercial property finance
Owner-occupier and investor commercial property purchases across retail, industrial, office and mixed-use. Standard owner-occupier commercial LVRs typically sit at 65% to 70%; specialised property may sit lower. Investor commercial commonly sits at 60% to 65%. The right LVR depends on property type, tenant covenant, lease term and the lender's appetite for the asset class.
03SMSF commercial property lending
Limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBA) for self-managed super fund commercial property purchases. Commonly used because the SMSF can lease the property to a related-party business at arm's-length commercial rent, generating tax-effective rental income inside the fund. Typical 2026 parameters: 30% to 40% deposit, rate premium of 0.5% to 1.5% above standard investment rates, minimum fund balance of $250,000+, and post-settlement liquidity buffer of around 5% to 10% of asset value. Subject to lender criteria.
04Working capital facilities
Lines of credit, overdrafts, and revolving facilities sized to typical cash-flow swings, including peak-trading season top-ups. The right facility size is the one that covers normal cash-flow gaps without sitting unused for most of the year. Maxfin reads the bank statements before recommending a facility size, rather than defaulting to a standard percentage of turnover.
05Debtor and trade finance
Invoice financing, trade finance, and supply-chain finance for businesses with predictable receivables but timing mismatches between invoicing and collection. Common in construction, manufacturing, professional services and import-export. Pricing varies materially by debtor quality, by typical days-on-book, and by lender appetite for the industry.
06Restructure of existing business debt
Consolidating multiple business facilities, replacing high-rate facilities, or refinancing across lenders to free up working capital. Common after a business has grown beyond its original facility structure, or after a credit-card-heavy phase that should be rolled into a structured facility at materially lower cost.
07Construction and development finance
Commercial construction and small-to-medium development lending. Structurally distinct from residential construction lending, with separate progress-drawdown criteria, presale or pre-lease requirements depending on the project, and different lender panel. Project size, location, builder, and exit strategy all shape the lender match.
08Trust and entity-based lending
Commercial lending where the borrower is a discretionary trust, family trust, unit trust, hybrid trust, or operating company. The commercial panel is broader on trust files than the residential panel, but more selective. Personal guarantees from beneficiaries or directors are typically required. Trust-deed review by the lender's solicitor is a real step in the process.
Approach
How Maxfin structures it.
Business acquisition with goodwill component
Acquisition finance where part of the purchase price is goodwill. Structured with a combination of cash-flow lending against the target's earnings, asset security where available, and personal property security from the buyer. Modelled across lenders that price acquisitions correctly. The vendor's financials are read alongside the buyer's, and the integration period (typically twelve months) is built into the cash-flow assumptions.
Owner-occupier commercial property purchase
A trading business buying its premises, with the business as tenant. LVR optimised for the property type and the commercial lender's appetite (typically 65% to 70% on standard owner-occupier commercial). Lease at arm's-length commercial rate, structured for tax efficiency. Where the buyer is also considering an SMSF LRBA structure, Maxfin coordinates the structure choice with the buyer's accountant before lender submission.
SMSF commercial premises acquisition
Self-managed super fund acquisition of commercial premises through a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement. The SMSF leases the premises to a related-party business at commercial rent. Structure compliance: separate bare trust, single-asset rule, no improvements that change the property's character. Maxfin coordinates with the SMSF's accountant and auditor on fund eligibility, deposit availability, and the post-settlement liquidity buffer required by lenders.
Working capital review and restructure
Restructuring an established business's working capital from a high-rate overdraft into a lower-rate revolving line of credit, sized to actual cash-flow patterns rather than legacy assumptions. Often paired with a refinance of any business credit-card debt that has accumulated, materially reducing total interest cost without changing the business's monthly cash outflow.
Multi-facility consolidation across business and personal
A business owner with a tangled mix of business loans, personal guarantees, equipment finance, and credit-card debt across several lenders. Maxfin maps the full position, identifies which facilities are priced inefficiently, and consolidates where it makes structural sense. The output is a clearer position with materially lower total cost, not a single super-loan that obscures the original purpose of each component.
Business acquisition with goodwill component
Acquisition finance where part of the purchase price is goodwill. Structured with a combination of cash-flow lending against the target's earnings, asset security where available, and personal property security from the buyer. Modelled across lenders that price acquisitions correctly. The vendor's financials are read alongside the buyer's, and the integration period (typically twelve months) is built into the cash-flow assumptions.
Owner-occupier commercial property purchase
A trading business buying its premises, with the business as tenant. LVR optimised for the property type and the commercial lender's appetite (typically 65% to 70% on standard owner-occupier commercial). Lease at arm's-length commercial rate, structured for tax efficiency. Where the buyer is also considering an SMSF LRBA structure, Maxfin coordinates the structure choice with the buyer's accountant before lender submission.
SMSF commercial premises acquisition
Self-managed super fund acquisition of commercial premises through a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement. The SMSF leases the premises to a related-party business at commercial rent. Structure compliance: separate bare trust, single-asset rule, no improvements that change the property's character. Maxfin coordinates with the SMSF's accountant and auditor on fund eligibility, deposit availability, and the post-settlement liquidity buffer required by lenders.
Working capital review and restructure
Restructuring an established business's working capital from a high-rate overdraft into a lower-rate revolving line of credit, sized to actual cash-flow patterns rather than legacy assumptions. Often paired with a refinance of any business credit-card debt that has accumulated, materially reducing total interest cost without changing the business's monthly cash outflow.
Multi-facility consolidation across business and personal
A business owner with a tangled mix of business loans, personal guarantees, equipment finance, and credit-card debt across several lenders. Maxfin maps the full position, identifies which facilities are priced inefficiently, and consolidates where it makes structural sense. The output is a clearer position with materially lower total cost, not a single super-loan that obscures the original purpose of each component.
Common questions
Frequently asked.
What does Maxfin need to assess a business loan?
Typically: two years of business financials and tax returns, the corresponding ATO Notices of Assessment, current ATO portal screens, year-to-date management accounts, projections (where relevant), details of existing debt, and the borrower's personal financial position. For acquisitions, the target's financials are also required. Maxfin sends a precise checklist tailored to the loan type before the borrower starts gathering anything.
What LVR can I get on commercial property?
Standard owner-occupier commercial typically sits at 65% to 70% LVR. Specialised commercial (high-risk industries, single-purpose buildings, niche assets) can sit at 50% to 60%. Investor commercial commonly sits at 60% to 65%. The right LVR depends on property type, tenant covenant, lease term, the lender's appetite for the asset class, and the borrower's overall profile. Subject to lender criteria.
Can I use my SMSF to buy commercial property?
Yes, via a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA). The structure has specific compliance requirements: separate bare trust, single-asset rule, no improvements that change the character of the property. Lenders typically require 30% to 40% deposit, a minimum fund balance of $250,000 or more, and an evidenced post-settlement liquidity buffer of around 5% to 10% of asset value. Maxfin coordinates with the SMSF's accountant and auditor through the application. Subject to lender criteria.
How is commercial lending priced?
More variably than residential. The base rate plus margin reflects the lender's view of the risk: industry, asset class, tenant covenant, cash-flow stability, balance-sheet strength and security position. Two lenders looking at the same deal can price it differently, sometimes by more than a full percentage point. Lender selection at the outset has a larger impact on commercial pricing than on residential. Subject to lender criteria.
What's the difference between a chattel mortgage, lease and hire purchase for business assets?
Chattel mortgage: business owns the asset from day one; GST claimable upfront; depreciation and interest deductible. Finance lease: financier owns the asset; lease payments deductible; GST claimed progressively; no depreciation by lessee. Hire purchase: treated similarly to chattel mortgage for tax purposes; less common in 2026. Wrapper choice has tax implications and should be made with the borrower's accountant before contracts are signed.
How long does business lending typically take?
Longer than residential. Mainstream business loan applications typically take three to six weeks from full submission to formal approval, with another two to four weeks to settlement. Acquisition finance can take longer if the target's financials are complex or if vendor cooperation is required. Specialised structures (SMSF LRBA, complex trust structures) can take longer again. Maxfin manages the timeline end-to-end, including coordination with the borrower's accountant and solicitor.
Can I borrow if I have unlodged tax returns or ATO debt?
Unlodged returns: usually a blocker for full-doc commercial lending until current. Some lenders may proceed on alt-doc terms with year-to-date management accounts and an accountant's letter. ATO debt: complicates the file materially. Hidden ATO debt discovered during credit checks typically results in a decline. Disclosed ATO debt with a serviced payment plan may be acceptable to a small subset of lenders. The cleanest pathway is generally to clear the ATO position before submission. Subject to lender criteria.
Does the new APRA DTI cap affect business lending?
The DTI cap (effective 1 February 2026) applies to residential mortgage lending, not commercial lending. However, where a business owner's residential lending is part of the picture (personal home loan, investment property loans), the DTI cap can affect their overall borrowing position even when the business itself is profitable. Maxfin maps the residential and commercial position together rather than treating them as separate files.
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