Free tool · About 2 minutes
The loan-readiness quiz
Eleven quick questions about your business. You'll get a readiness score out of 100, the one thing to fix first, and the kinds of loans that might suit you. No sign-up and no credit check.
How the loan-readiness quiz works
Lenders look at a fairly predictable set of things when they assess a business loan: how long you've traded, how your bank statements read, whether your tax is up to date, your credit history, what the money is for, whether the repayments fit and what paperwork you can provide. The quiz asks one question about each and gives each answer a score.
Some areas matter more than others for most first-time borrowers, so they carry a little more weight. Separate business banking, up-to-date BAS and a clear purpose sit near the top, because they make the biggest difference to how easily a lender can understand your business. The total is scaled to a score out of 100.
What "fix this first" means
The quiz looks for the answers where you'd gain the most by making a change, weighted by how much each area tends to matter, and puts the biggest one at the top. Each suggestion comes with a plain-English next step and a link to the lesson that explains it. Often the top item is something you can start today, like opening a dedicated business account or lodging an outstanding BAS.
Why property isn't part of the score
Owning property with equity doesn't make you more organised, and not owning property doesn't make you less ready. What property changes is which kinds of loans may suit you. So the quiz uses that answer to suggest paths: property-secured business loans from $20,000 to $5,000,000, or unsecured and line-of-credit options, typically $5,000 to $500,000 and sized on turnover and bank statements.
What your score band means
| Score | Band | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 80–100 | Loan-ready | Your business should be easy for a lender to understand. It's a great time to ask what's possible. |
| 60–79 | Nearly there | One or two areas could be tidier. Worth a conversation now while you fix them. |
| 40–59 | Getting there | A few areas need attention. Some lenders may still help, especially with property security. |
| 0–39 | Building foundations | Focus on the top fix for a month or two, then retake the quiz. A real person can still tell you what's possible now. |
Whatever your score, it's a starting point, not a verdict. Bad credit and ATO debt are considered case by case, and plenty of first-time borrowers who start in the middle bands go on to borrow sensibly. The loan-ready checklist turns your results into a to-do list, and the business loan requirements lesson explains each area in more depth.
Ready for the next step?
When you're ready to find out what your business could actually borrow, our enquiry takes about a minute. There's no credit check to ask, your details stay with one person rather than being sent to a pile of lenders, and a real person calls to explain your options in plain English. Answer the form as accurately as you answered this quiz, and we'll be able to match you properly first time.
No credit check to enquire
Asking a question doesn't leave a mark on your credit file. A credit check only comes up later, and only if you choose to go ahead.
No spray and pray
We don't fire your details off to a crowd of lenders and hope one bites. Your enquiry stays with the person working on it.
A real person, in plain English
Someone who knows lending reads your answers, calls you and explains your options without the jargon. Accurate answers help us get it right first time.
Frequently asked questions
What does my loan-readiness score mean?
It's a guide to how easy your business would be for a lender to understand and assess today, based on the areas lenders commonly look at. It isn't a credit score, an approval or an offer. A lower score doesn't mean you can't borrow; it shows where a little preparation would help most.
Does the quiz check my credit?
No. Nothing you choose leaves this page, and nothing is recorded anywhere. It runs entirely in your browser. There's also no credit check when you first enquire with us.
Why doesn't owning property change my score?
Because not owning property isn't a weakness. It changes which kinds of loans suit you rather than how ready you are, so the quiz uses it to suggest likely paths instead of adding or removing points.
I scored low. Should I still enquire?
You can. Bad credit and ATO debt are considered case by case, and property security can open doors. A real person can tell you which of your gaps actually matter for your situation and which don't.
How often should I retake it?
Every month or two while you're getting ready. As you separate banking, lodge BAS and build a run of clean statements, you'll see the score climb.
Are these the only things lenders look at?
They're the most common, but each lender has its own policy. Our Stage 2 lessons explain each area in detail, starting with business loan requirements.
Quiz done? Let's make it real
Tell us what you need in about 60 seconds. No credit check to enquire, no spray-and-pray, and a real person who explains your options without the jargon.
No credit check to enquire
No spray and pray
A real person, in plain English