Short Term Business Loans

Short-term business loans designed for established businesses trading 12+ months - longer terms, weekly repayments, and faster outcomes.

Most owners feel intense time pressure when cash is tight — At Casey, we make it simple, fast, and crystal-clear.

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✔︎ Trusted by small business owners across Melbourne & Australia.

Why this matters

Short-term business loans can be powerful tools when used for the right reason, with the right term. They can bridge short gaps, fund specific jobs, or cover seasonal spikes — without locking you into long commitments.

The challenge is that every lender treats “short term” differently. Some focus on very fast, intensive structures. Others offer slightly longer terms that may be easier on cash flow. Choosing the wrong fit can quickly create unnecessary pressure.

If you want a broader overview of all business loan options first, you can also review my main Business Loans page, then use this guide to decide whether a short-term structure makes sense.

What you get

A tailored short-term business loan pathway that matches the timing of your need — with a clear start, clear end, and repayment pattern built around your existing commitments.

  • Options commonly used by businesses needing $20,000–$150,000 in short-term funding

  • Structures focused on 3–18 month style working capital needs, depending on profile

  • Weekly or fortnightly repayments available through many lenders

  • Clear end dates so you know when the obligation finishes

  • Straightforward process with realistic expectations from the very beginning

Who this suits

Short-term business loans can suit many established Australian businesses where the funding need is clear, time-bound, and linked to specific work, seasons, or opportunities.

  • Businesses trading 12+ months with active business bank accounts

  • Project-based businesses needing funding until invoices are paid

  • Seasonal businesses preparing for peak trading periods

  • Owners wanting to manage a short-term squeeze, not long-term restructuring

  • Businesses comfortable with higher repayment intensity over a shorter period

  • Owners wanting guidance on whether short-term or longer-term structures fit best

Typical Lender Criteria

Lenders that focus on short-term business loans still assess your ability to comfortably meet repayments. They may look closely at inflows, outflows, and the purpose of the funds.

  • Some lenders prioritise strong, recent turnover in your bank statements

  • Some lenders prefer clear, time-bound purposes with a realistic exit plan

  • Some lenders are comfortable with seasonal revenue when patterns are consistent

  • Some lenders focus on how existing repayments are currently being managed

  • Some lenders prefer businesses with 12+ months trading for larger short-term amounts

  • Some pathways may suit urgent cash needs; others suit planned, upcoming projects

How it works

The process is designed to match the funding term to the real life of your need — not the other way around.

  1. Quick chat to understand your timing, purpose, and comfort level

  2. Review your bank statements and trading profile

  3. Identify short-term structures that may suit your specific situation

  4. Explain repayment patterns and end dates in plain English

  5. You choose the option that feels safe and practical for your business

  6. Application submitted and guided through to settlement

Eligibility

  • ABN registered business

  • Preferably 12+ months trading history

  • Active business bank account used for everyday trading

  • Recent business bank statements available, usually 6–12 months

  • Turnover at a level that may support higher short-term repayments

  • Purpose and timing that make sense for a short-term structure

Most short-term business loan pathways are available to established businesses with consistent turnover and a clear use of funds. If you’re unsure whether short-term is appropriate, I can help you work through it.

Use of funds

Short-term business loans are often used where the need is urgent or clearly linked to a specific job, season, or opportunity.

  • Buying stock or materials for confirmed jobs or contracts

  • Covering wages and payroll through a busy or transitional period

  • Bridging the gap between issuing invoices and getting paid

  • Funding short, targeted marketing or advertising bursts

  • Managing upcoming supplier, lease, or tax obligations

  • Completing modest upgrades, repairs, or compliance work needed before peak periods

  • Smoothing cash flow during seasonal slowdowns or ramp-ups

Benefits

Used well, short-term business loans can give you breathing room exactly when you need it — without committing to long, drawn-out repayment periods.

  • Clear, defined end dates for your funding commitment

  • Ability to match the term to the life of a project or season

  • Faster access to working capital when trading is strong

  • Focused structures that support specific opportunities or pressure points

  • Option to consider early exit pathways where available and appropriate

  • Clarity around total repayment impact over a shorter timeframe

The risk of going it alone

Short-term funding can be helpful — but it can also become stressful if the term, repayment intensity, or structure doesn’t match your cash flow. Choosing purely on speed or marketing promises can backfire.

Without guidance, it is easy to take a short-term loan that feels manageable for the first few weeks, then becomes difficult when other commitments fall due. It is also common to see businesses stacking multiple short-term loans without a clear plan.

If you’d like context on how short-term loans compare with broader options, you may also find it useful to review my Business Loans, Fast Business Loans, and Bad Credit Business Loans pages as part of your research.

Want short-term funding that doesn’t create long-term stress?

If you need funding for a clear, short-term purpose — and want repayments that stay realistic — I can help you understand which structures may fit and which may be too aggressive.

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Industry pain points we usually see

Short-term business loans often make the most sense in industries where timing is everything and delays can quickly cost you contracts, staff, or reputation.

  • Construction and trades: materials, labour, and progress costs before payments land

  • Manufacturing: stock and production inputs needed ahead of confirmed orders

  • Transport and logistics: fuel, repairs, tyres, and registration due before invoicing

  • Retail and hospitality: stock, staff, and fit-out costs leading into peak seasons

  • Professional services: wages and overheads while waiting on larger invoices

Common scenarios we usually see

Here are some real-world situations where a short-term business loan may be appropriate:

  • You’ve won a new contract and need materials and staff before the first payment

  • You’re heading into your busiest season and need to bulk up stock and team

  • A key supplier, landlord, or tax commitment is due before a large invoice clears

  • You want to cover a short spike in costs without disrupting longer-term plans

The true cost to you

When timing is tight, doing nothing can mean delayed projects, cancelled contracts, strained supplier relationships, and staff uncertainty. Even one or two missed opportunities each year can quietly add up to significant lost profit.

Choosing a short-term structure that fits your real cash flow — rather than reacting at the last minute — can help you move through pressure periods with more control, and step out the other side without unnecessary long-term debt.

Not sure if a short-term business loan is the right move?

Most business owners feel this way — and it’s completely normal. I’ll walk you through when short-term funding can help, when it may not, and what realistic options could look like for your business.

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Frequently asked questions

  • Short-term business loans typically run over a shorter period than standard term loans and are often used for specific, time-bound needs such as projects, seasons, or one-off pressures. Exact terms vary by lender and profile.

  • Terms vary widely. Some pathways focus on very short durations, while others may offer slightly longer timeframes. The key is matching the term to your purpose and cash flow, rather than chasing the shortest option.

  • Repayments can often be more intensive because the funding is repaid over a shorter period. That is why it’s important to check that the repayment pattern fits comfortably with your turnover and existing commitments.

  • Some lenders may allow early repayment or early exit options. Others may have fixed terms. If flexibility is important to you, I can prioritise pathways where early exits may be more practical.

  • Yes, they are often used to bridge gaps between outgoings and incoming payments. The key is making sure the loan term lines up with when you reasonably expect the cash to arrive.

  • Most lenders will want recent business bank statements and basic business details. For some options, additional information may be needed depending on the amount, purpose, and your situation.

  • It usually depends on how long the benefit of the funding lasts. If the benefit is short and specific, short-term may be suitable. If the benefit is long-term, a longer-term structure may be a better fit. I can help you think this through.

Related resources

If you’re exploring different ways to manage timing and cash flow, these guides can help you compare short-term business loans with other pathways.