Starting a new business can be exciting, and applying for finance is one of the first steps that many new businesses take to help them get off the ground.

While longer-established businesses might be able to show years of documents to support their application, new businesses often don’t have this history. 

Here are three things that might support your application:

  1. Other sources of income – income from a rental property or investments, or maintaining an income by working somewhere else until your business takes off
  2. Any relevant industry experience – this might be employment history in the same field as your new business. For example, if you’ve worked elsewhere and decided to go into business for yourself
  3. Supporting documents – supporting documents can strengthen your application and give confidence in your business growth and outlook
     

Supporting documents

You might want to prepare: 

A business plan

This document shows your business strategy and goals for both the short- and long-term. An accountant or business consultant can help you prepare a business plan. 

Cash flow projection

A cash flow projection shows your estimated income and expenses over a 12-month period. It will show whether your projected income will be enough to meet any finance requirements. If you submit a cash flow projection, it needs to be prepared by an accountant or business consultant. 

Business Activity Statement (BAS)

A Business Activity Statement (BAS) is a form you submit to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) if your business is registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST). It helps you report and pay your GST and pay as you go (PAYG) instalments and withholding tax. Not all businesses will have this, but if you do, it can help show your cash flow and how you manage it. 

Interim financial statements

These are documents that show your business activities, including your balance sheet, income, cash flow, changes in equity and notes of explanation. Your accountant can help you to establish these.

Contracts

If you have any current or future agreements from customers, these can help to show your business income. 

If you’re applying for car and equipment finance and you’re a new CommBank customer, you’ll also need to do a business ID check. Your nearest Business Banker can help you with this.