Calling about a business loan from Victoria

No conversion needed

If you’re in Victoria, you’re on the same clock as us. Our office is on Collins Street in Melbourne, and the line is staffed 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. When Victoria moves to daylight saving on Sunday 4 October 2026 and back on Sunday 4 April 2027, our hours move with you.

The only thing to watch is public holidays, and since they’re Victorian holidays, they’re yours too.

Victorian public holidays when the line is closed

Holiday	Date
Melbourne Cup Day	Tuesday 3 November 2026
Christmas Day	Friday 25 December 2026
Boxing Day	Saturday 26 December 2026
Additional public holiday	Monday 28 December 2026
New Year’s Day	Friday 1 January 2027
Australia Day	Tuesday 26 January 2027
Labour Day	Monday 8 March 2027
Good Friday to Easter Monday	26 to 29 March 2027

Source: Business Victoria. The 2027 Friday before the AFL Grand Final depends on the AFL schedule.

If you need to speak to someone before a holiday, ring a day or two ahead. Enquiries left on a holiday are picked up the next business day.

Best times to ring from Victoria

• 9am sharp suits owners who want it done before the day starts.
• Late morning is usually the calmest time for a longer conversation.
• Early afternoon works well for hospitality owners between lunch and dinner service.
• Before 4:45pm if you think the conversation needs more than a few minutes.

If you’re on the tools or behind a counter all day, send a 60-second enquiry with the time that suits, and a specialist will ring then.

Regional Victoria

We help businesses in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Gippsland, the Mallee and everywhere in between. A few things are worth mentioning early if you’re outside Melbourne:

• Property location and type. For property-secured loans from $20,000 to $5,000,000, where the property is and what kind it is (house, farm, commercial, land) affects valuation and lender choice.
• Seasonal income. Agriculture, tourism and events businesses often have strong and quiet months. Describe the pattern; see turnover and bank statements.
• Reception. If mobile coverage is patchy where you work, give us a landline or a time you’ll be in range.

Victorian things that come up on calls

State taxes. The State Revenue Office Victoria administers land tax, payroll tax, land transfer (stamp) duty and other state levies. If one of these bills is why you’re ringing, say which one and when it’s due. It’s a legitimate business purpose like any other.

Caveats and second mortgages. If a caveat loan or second mortgage comes up, it’s useful to know what a caveat is. Land Use Victoria describes it as a document lodged by someone with a legal interest in a property, which notes that interest on the title. Our page on describing property as security explains how these options differ.

Big-event seasons. Melbourne’s events calendar drives trade for many hospitality, retail and event businesses. If your statements show spikes around major events, say so.

Free help in Victoria

The Victorian Small Business Commission delivers low-cost dispute resolution services, encourages informed decision-making and advocates for the rights of small businesses. If money you’re owed is stuck in a dispute, or a lease problem is adding pressure, contact them as well as us. For financial counselling, the national Small Business Debt Helpline (1800 413 828) is free and confidential.

A Victorian example

A Bendigo bakery owner needs about $45k to replace an oven that’s failed without warning. They ring at 2:15pm, after the lunch rush. They’ve traded eleven years, deposits are steady at about $85k a month, and they’d prefer not to use their home. The specialist talks through unsecured options sized on that turnover and what statements would be needed.

Illustrative example only.

Nearby states

Calling for a business with sites across the border? See New South Wales, Tasmania or South Australia, and our guide to talking to a specialist.

Before you ring from Victoria

Being on the same clock makes it easy to call on the spur of the moment, but a few minutes of preparation still pays off. Have these ready:

• The purpose, amount and timing, in a sentence or two.
• Monthly deposits for recent months, and any seasonal pattern.
• Your ABN, structure and time trading.
• Existing debts: loans, equipment finance, cards, and any ATO payment plan.
• Property details if you’re open to using property: suburb or town, type, owners, rough value and what’s owing.
• Any state tax bill that’s part of the need, such as land tax or payroll tax, with its due date.

Melbourne owners with commercial premises often ask whether the premises can support a loan for the operating business. Often they can, with the ownership structure mattering a great deal: premises held in a separate company or family trust need that entity’s agreement. Mention the structure early and the specialist will explain what’s involved.

If you’re calling about a date that can’t move, such as a settlement, a tax deadline or wages, our page on tight deadlines shows how to frame it. And if English on the phone isn’t easy for you, see interpreter and relay calls for other ways to have the conversation.

Ring from Victoria

Call 03 4059 1829, 9am to 5pm, or leave your details for a call-back. There’s no credit check to enquire, your details stay with our team rather than being sent to a pile of lenders, and a real specialist works on your situation. Please give accurate figures so we can match you properly the first time.