Business loans interest rates in Australia
A comprehensive guide for Australian Small Business Owner
In this guide, we will delve into the world of business loan interest rates, explaining how they are calculated, whether they are fixed, the understanding of Annual Percentage Rate (APR), additional fees and charges, and the differences between small business loans and lines of credit.
Prospa Small Business Loan
- Borrow from $5K up to $150K as a lump sum over a fixed term of up to 36 months.
- Minimum $6K monthly turnover and minimum trading history periods apply.
- Great for managing cash flow, buying stock and equipment, or covering unexpected expenses.
Prospa Business Loan Plus
- Borrow from $150K up to $500K as a lump sum over a fixed term of up to 36 months.
- Minimum $1 million annual turnover and 3 years trading to apply.
- Often used for funding growth, renovations and refits, or equipment purchases.
Prospa Business Line of Credit
- Get ongoing access to funds up to $150K and only pay interest on the funds you use.
- Minimum $6K monthly turnover and minimum trading history to apply.
- Ideal for managing cashflow and unexpected expenses.
How are interest rates calculated?
At Prospa, business loan interest rates can vary depending on a range of factors, the industry you operate in, the length of time your business has been established, and the financial health of your business.
Understanding Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
Business Loan Interest rates are often presented as an Annual Percentage Rate (APR). So, what does this mean?
APR is a standard way of calculating the total interest payment on a business loan as a reducing balance over the total length of the loan (including all fees and charges).
How is APR different from simple interest rate?
When shopping around for a business loan you might also hear the term ‘simple interest rate’. So how does this differ to APR and what does this mean for you?
The simple interest rate focuses solely on the cost of borrowing the principal amount, for example if you borrow $10K at a 2.72% interest rate for 1 year the total interest you pay on the loan is $272.
Simple Interest rate = (Loan amount x interest rate x loan term) / 100
Comparatively, if you express the same example as an APR, which is calculated on a reducing balance, if you borrow $10K, and the total interest on the loan is $272, your APR interest rate would be expressed as 5%.
ASR = ((Interest + Fees/ Loan amount) / Loan term) x 365 x 100
An APR will appear high for short-term loans but low for long-term loans, which may be confusing, which is why your loan may be quoted in simple interest rate terms.
If you’re interested to find out more about the difference between APR and simple interest rate read this article on our blog for a simple explanation and examples.
Other fees and charges
Apart from interest rates, it’s crucial to be aware of other fees and charges that may be associated with a business loan. While these fees may vary between lenders, here are some common ones you may encounter:
- Application Fee: Charged for processing your loan application.
- Origination Fee: Covers the administrative costs of setting up the loan.
- Ongoing Fees: Monthly or annual fees for maintaining the loan account.
- Early Repayment Fee: Charged if you repay the loan before the agreed-upon term.
- Late Payment Fee: Imposed for missed or delayed loan repayments.
- Security Fees: Applicable if you provide collateral to secure the loan.
Before finalising a business loan agreement, carefully review the loan terms and conditions to identify any potential fees and charges. Factor these costs into your financial projections to ensure they align with your business’s cash flow capabilities.
Difference between funding options
Small business loans and lines of credit are two common types of funding options for Australian businesses – and Prospa offers both to small business customers. While both serve the purpose of providing funding, they differ in how interest rates are calculated and utilised:
Small Business Loans: Prospa offers small business loan up to $500K*, the interest rate is typically calculated based on factors such as your business’s financial health, creditworthiness, industry, and time in business. The loan is disbursed as a lump sum, and you pay interest on the entire loan amount from the beginning. Small business loans are ideal for one-time expenses, such as purchasing equipment, expanding operations, or launching a marketing campaign.
Lines of Credit: Prospa offers line of credit facility limits up to $150K, interest rates are usually calculated only on the amount you borrow. Instead of receiving a lump sum, you have access to a predetermined credit limit. You can withdraw funds as needed, and interest is charged only on the outstanding balance. Lines of credit provide flexibility and are suitable for managing ongoing expenses, covering unexpected costs, or bridging cash flow gaps.
Understanding the differences between small business loans and lines of credit can help you determine which option aligns best with your specific funding needs and repayment preferences.
If you’d like to find out more about the differences between a line of credit and a business loan, read this article from the Prospa blog.
How to get the right funding for your business needs
Business loan interest rates can play a significant role in shaping the financial viability of your small business. By understanding how interest rates are calculated, the distinction between fixed and variable rates, the concept of APR, and the presence of additional fees and charges, you can make informed decisions when choosing business funding.
Consider consulting with lenders, exploring different loan options, and comparing offers to find the most suitable financing solution for your Australian small business. Remember, thorough research and due diligence are key to securing the right form of finance for your business needs, and ultimately achieving financial success.
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FAQs
Common questions answered
So, how do lenders decide on interest rates? In short, business loan interest rates are affected by many things including the finance product you choose (business loan, equipment loan, business overdraft, line of credit, credit card etc), how much you borrow, what you plan to do with the funds, whether you choose a secured or unsecured business loan, whether the rate is a fixed rate or variable rate and other loan criteria including your credit score.
Before you apply for a business loan you can find out more information about what fees and charges or other terms and conditions apply to the individual lender’s product.
At Prospa we look at the ‘health’ of your business to determine the loan amount offered the interest rate we charge you. We look at things like the industry you’re in, how long your business has been operating, and your cash flow situation.
To get an indication of how much a loan might cost at Prospa, you can check out our loan calculator. Then talk to our friendly customer service team to see how they can help you get a suitable product for your small business needs.
The Australian government offers support in the form of grants and other programs designed to help small businesses develop – and assist with building skills and knowledge. In some cases, low interest business loans may be available to businesses that meet quite strict criteria – such those in the rural or farming industry. Most of the financial assistance from Government comes in the form of rebates.
If you’re looking to get some financial assistance to grow your business or to help you through a busy period, Prospa offers Small Business Loans of up to $150,000 or a Line of Credit of up to $150,000. Find out more or talk to us today about our loan criteria on 1300 570 212 to see if you qualify. Prospa is fully accredited with Australian credit licence 454782.
Put simply, using a simple interest rate, if you borrow $1,000 (the principal) for a year and have to pay a total interest of $100 (the interest) for the year, your interest rate is 10%. It’s the interest divided by the principal written as a percentage.
The above business loan interest rate a shown as a simple interest rate, but other interest rate metrics can be used which account for different factors. There are many factors to consider when calculating interest rates and interest – for instance if you were to borrow the money over a shorter timeframe or whether the interest is compounded, when the principal is repaid and other factors.
When you get a Small Business Loan with Prospa, your total interest percentage is calculated upfront over the loan term. This is then included as part of your fixed, regular repayments. You know what you owe up front, when it’s due and applicable fees. You are free to make extra repayments and there’s no penalty for early repayment (in fact, you can talk to us about how our early repayment policy could provide you with a discount for early repayment).
When you apply for a loan, all you really want to find out is: ‘What will this cost me?’ But before you enter into a loan agreement, it is important to understand the different types of business loan interest rates and how interest is calculated so you can make an informed decision about your money without overcommitting.
Interest – Interest is the main cost of borrowing the money, normally shown as a percentage. The interest is added to your loan amount along with any fees, so when you make repayments you’ll be paying back the loan amount and the amount it costs you to borrow the money.
Fixed Rate Interest – This is a set percentage of the loan amount that has to be repaid during the loan term. Fixed rates tend to be slightly higher than variable rates, but this is balanced by the fact that your repayments will not change for the life of the loan.
Variable Rate Interest – This lets the borrower take advantage of market conditions as the loan interest rate varies according to the market. It allows you to benefit from future drops in interest rates, but can also mean you have to weather increases in market rates in Australia.
APR – The Annual Percentage Rate is the rate that can be used to calculate the cost of the loan. It takes into account the reducing balance of the loan amount, expressed as an annual rate, and may include fees and charges. APR is used as a common comparison for all loans in Australia. Read more about APR.
Simple Interest – This is the most basic way to express interest and is calculated on the total interest amount divided by the total principal amount of the loan.
Compound interest – This is calculated on the principal amount of the loan but also on the interest accumulated (but unpaid) from previous periods. It’s like paying interest on your interest, and can be common with credit cards.
With Prospa everything is crystal clear, we offer fixed rates on our business loans – so you’ll know up front exactly how much you owe over the loan term.
