Quick answer
If you're calling a lender with a deadline, give the exact date first, then what happens if the money is late, the amount and purpose, and whether property is available. Tell the specialist anything that could slow things down, like unlodged BAS or co-owners who are away. With the date known upfront, the specialist can tell you straight away which options could realistically meet it.
Key points
- Lead with the date and what happens if you miss it.
- Name the likely hold-ups before they happen: paperwork, signatures, valuations.
- Ask the specialist to work backwards from the date, step by step.
- Ring as early as you can. Days matter more than anything you say on the call.
Deadlines change the whole conversation
A lot of the calls we take start with a date. A property settlement on the 15th. A supplier who wants payment before releasing stock. A BAS instalment. Wages on Thursday. A contract that starts Monday and needs materials today.
When there’s a deadline, the most useful thing you can do is say it first. It changes which options are worth discussing, because some move faster than others, and it changes the order of everything that follows.
What to say, in order
- The date. The actual date, not “soon” or “ASAP”.
- What happens if it’s missed. Lose a deposit? Pay a penalty? Lose a discount? Lose the contract? This tells the specialist how hard the date really is.
- The amount and purpose.
- Property. Whether there is any, and who owns it.
- Known hold-ups. Anything that could slow things down.
Put together:
“I need about $85k by Friday the 24th. It’s the balance for a used excavator, and if I don’t pay by then the seller will take the next buyer and I lose my $10k deposit. I own my home with my partner. One thing: my last BAS isn’t lodged yet. My accountant says it’ll be done Monday.”
Illustrative example only.
That’s everything a specialist needs to tell you whether the 24th is realistic.
The hold-ups worth mentioning upfront
Most delays aren’t caused by lenders. They’re caused by pieces that aren’t ready. Say if any of these apply:
| Possible hold-up | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| BAS or tax returns not lodged | Some lenders won’t proceed until they are |
| Co-owner, director or guarantor unavailable | Everyone who signs needs to complete ID and sign documents |
| Property tenanted or hard to access | Valuers need access |
| Existing lender slow to respond | Refinances and second mortgage consents depend on them |
| Documents scattered | Statements, IDs and property details take time to gather |
| Public holidays | Our line is closed on Victorian public holidays; banks and registries have their own closures |
If you know about a hold-up now, the specialist can plan around it, or suggest an option that avoids it.
Ask the specialist to work backwards
Once the date is on the table, ask: “Working back from the 24th, what has to happen by when?” A good answer maps the steps: documents by a certain day, valuation booked, approval, documents signed, funds released. You’ll know immediately which steps depend on you.
Our page on what happens after the call explains each of those stages.
If the date is genuinely tight
Sometimes the honest answer is that the date is very tight. When that happens, a few things can help:
- Use property if you have it. Secured options are often more flexible on credit and trading history. See describing property as security.
- Ask the other side for time. A supplier, vendor or the ATO may accept a short extension if they know finance is in progress. Ask early and in writing.
- Split the need. Sometimes a smaller amount quickly, plus the rest later, works better than one large loan under pressure.
- Get documents ready now, before you’ve even decided. It costs nothing.
Tax deadlines
ATO dates are the most predictable deadlines of all. Quarterly BAS are due on 28 October, 28 February, 28 April and 28 July, and monthly BAS on the 21st of the following month. If you can see a tax payment you can’t meet, ring weeks before, not the day before. Our page on owing the ATO covers how to explain the tax side.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment
The most common reason deadlines are missed is a late first call. Owners wait to see if a customer pays, or hope the bank will come through, and lose days that matter. Use the call planner to find the next open window in your time zone, and ring then, even if you’re not sure you need the money yet. A ten-minute call costs nothing and no credit check is involved.
What to have ready so the clock isn’t wasted
When time is short, the specialist’s first job is to work out whether the date is achievable. Your job is to make sure nothing on your side slows it down. Gather these while you’re waiting to ring, or straight after:
- Photo ID for everyone who will sign, including co-owners and guarantors.
- Your ABN or ACN and the business’s legal name.
- Recent business bank statements, or access to your online banking so they can be shared securely.
- The document that sets the deadline: the contract, invoice, settlement notice, ATO notice or supplier email.
- Property details, if property is involved: address, owners, and the latest mortgage statement.
- Contact details for your accountant, in case a figure needs confirming quickly.
Then think about people. Who needs to sign, and are they available this week? If a co-director is overseas or a co-owner is unwell, say so on the first call; it changes the plan.
Finally, keep your phone on. Deadlines are often lost to missed calls and unanswered emails, not to lender decisions. Our page on call-backs explains what to expect when we ring, so you can answer when it matters.
Ring now, with the date
If there’s a date driving this, call 03 4059 1829 during Melbourne business hours. After hours, send the 60-second enquiry with the date in it so it’s first in line when we open. Enquiring doesn’t involve a credit check, your details stay with one team rather than being blasted around, and a specialist will be straight with you about what’s achievable. Accurate details, especially the real date and any hold-ups, are what give you the best chance of landing it on time.
Frequently asked questions
How fast can a business loan be arranged?
It depends on the option, the security, and how quickly documents, signatures and any valuation come together. The specialist will tell you on the first call whether your date looks realistic and what could affect it.
What slows down an urgent business loan most?
Missing or out-of-date documents, unlodged BAS or tax returns, co-owners or guarantors who aren't available to sign, valuation access, and delays from an existing lender.
Should I say it's urgent if it isn't?
No. Give the real date. If everything is marked urgent, genuinely time-critical steps are harder to prioritise, and a false deadline can push you toward a costlier option than you need.
What if I can't meet the deadline?
Ask the other party early. A supplier, vendor or the ATO may agree to a short extension if they know finance is in progress. The specialist can often tell you what to ask for.
Is it better to call or use the form when time is short?
During business hours, call. You'll find out in one conversation whether the date is realistic. After hours, send the enquiry with the date in it so it's waiting when the line opens.