20 days to pay: Turnbull takes lead on small business payment reform
If you thought the wait for your pay cheque was bad, spare a thought for Australian small business owners who were found to have to wait an average 25 days past the due date to receive payments for services according to data from a recent Inquiry into Payment Times and Practices.
Thankfully the tide may be turning to give small businesses greater access to cash, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announcing on Wednesday that the federal government will be required to pay invoices up to $1 million within 20 calendar days - down from the government's current 30 day policy.
With over 6,500 small businesses currently working with the federal government, Mr Turnbull said the change would help put more money back in pockets.
"It demonstrates the government's continued commitment to small business, the engine room of employment in Australia,” he said.
"The government is already a proud leader in terms of payment times and practices, with the latest pay on-time survey showing Commonwealth agencies paid 97 per cent of their invoices within 30 days."
While the move will only apply to contractors with the federal government for now, Mr Turnbull also hoped big businesses would be encouraged to follow suit.
RELATED: Delays in financing is stunting growth for Aussie small businesses, GetCapital research finds
The government's shift in policy comes in response to calls for change from the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman following its Inquiry into Payment Times and Practices released in April.
The Inquiry reported that Australia’s payment practices were falling well behind other nations, and that action needed to be taken in order to curtail the growing trend of late payments, which it found were limiting growth and raising costs for businesses.
Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell welcomed the announcement from the federal government, describing it as a ‘game changer’ for small business.
“Cash flow is king for small business and this will make a huge difference,” she said. “It will save money on interest payments, boost confidence and free up capital for reinvestment.”
Looking for a financing solution for your own small business? Check out Mozo’s business banking hub to compare a range of business credit card options, or check out some top business loans below:
Business Loans - rates updated daily
Unsecured Business Loan
A straightforward business loan with no hidden Lumi fees or charges. Speedy application and approval process with fast access to funds according to Lumi.
Interest Rate
Upfront Fee
Funding speed
from 9%-Within same dayUnsecured Business Loan
A straightforward business loan with no hidden Lumi fees or charges. Speedy application and approval process with fast access to funds according to Lumi.
- Interest Rate
- from 9%
- Upfront Fee
- -
- Ongoing Fees
- 2.5% establishment fee of the disbursed amount.
- Late payment fee
- $50.00
- Transaction fee
- $0.00
- Early repayment penalty
- $0.00
- Other fees
- -
- Loan type
- Loan
- Security type
- Unsecured
- Minimum loan amount
- $5,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $300,000
- Minimum loan term
- 3 months
- Maximum loan term
- 4 years
- Repayment frequency
- Weekly
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Minimum trading period
- 6 months
- Minimum annual turnover
- $60,000
- Application speed
- within 24 hours
- Approval speed
- 2 hours
- Funding speed
- Within same day
- Extra repayments allowed
- yes
- Redraw allowed
- yes
- Other benefits
- Early payout options and early repayment discounts are available. Principal-only payout available after 6 months.
- Other restrictions
- Loans above $300,000 must be secured by property.
Invoice Finance
Increase cashflow by unlocking the power of your receivables with Octet’s Invoice Finance solution. Receive up to 85% of your debtor’s ledger with tailored facilities ranging from $100K to $12M.
Interest Rate
Upfront Fee
Funding speed
0% for the first 60 days, then rates starting from 6%On ApplicationInstant on approvalInvoice Finance
Increase cashflow by unlocking the power of your receivables with Octet’s Invoice Finance solution. Receive up to 85% of your debtor’s ledger with tailored facilities ranging from $100K to $12M.
- Interest Rate
- 0% for the first 60 days, then rates starting from 6%
- Upfront Fee
- On Application
- Ongoing Fees
- Ongoing service fees apply. Amount is calculated as a percentage of invoices processed.
- Late payment fee
- $0.00
- Transaction fee
- $0.00
- Early repayment penalty
- -
- Other fees
- -
- Loan type
- Line of Credit
- Security type
- Secured
- Minimum loan amount
- $100,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $10,000,000
- Minimum loan term
- 1 months
- Maximum loan term
- -
- Repayment frequency
- -
- Repayment types
- n/a
- Minimum trading period
- 1 year
- Minimum annual turnover
- $1,000,000
- Application speed
- 2 Minutes
- Approval speed
- 24 Hours
- Funding speed
- Instant on approval
- Extra repayments allowed
- -
- Redraw allowed
- -
- Other benefits
- Complimentary Trade Finance facility available subject to approval. Access to the Octet Supply Chain Platform.
- Other restrictions
- Up to 85% value of unpaid invoices available.
Prospa Plus Business Loan
Prospa uses risk-based pricing to determine your interest rate. They look at factors including your industry, years in business, cash flow, creditworthiness and the overall financial health of your business.
Interest Rate
Upfront Fee
Funding speed
Interest rates vary based on risk.3.5%from 24 hoursProspa Plus Business Loan
Prospa uses risk-based pricing to determine your interest rate. They look at factors including your industry, years in business, cash flow, creditworthiness and the overall financial health of your business.
- Interest Rate
- Interest rates vary based on risk.
- Upfront Fee
- 3.5%
- Ongoing Fees
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $0.00
- Transaction fee
- -
- Early repayment penalty
- $0.00
- Other fees
- -
- Loan type
- Loan
- Security type
- Secured
- Minimum loan amount
- $150,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $500,000
- Minimum loan term
- 3 months
- Maximum loan term
- 3 years
- Repayment frequency
- Weekly
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Minimum trading period
- 3 years
- Minimum annual turnover
- $1,000,000
- Application speed
- 10 Minutes
- Approval speed
- Same-day approval
- Funding speed
- from 24 hours
- Extra repayments allowed
- yes
- Redraw allowed
- no
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
Boost Business Loan - powered by Business Fuel
Get secured or unsecured business funding for up to $250K. For loan terms of 6 months to 2 years. No application or account keeping fees to pay. Minimum loan amount is $10,000. Get approval in 24 hours. Loans over $100,000 require security. Minimum annual turnover of $120K.
Interest Rate
Upfront Fee
Funding speed
from 14.00% p.a.Details on applicationFrom 24 hoursBoost Business Loan - powered by Business Fuel
Get secured or unsecured business funding for up to $250K. For loan terms of 6 months to 2 years. No application or account keeping fees to pay. Minimum loan amount is $10,000. Get approval in 24 hours. Loans over $100,000 require security. Minimum annual turnover of $120K.
- Interest Rate
- from 14.00% p.a.
- Upfront Fee
- Details on application
- Ongoing Fees
- $0
- Late payment fee
- -
- Transaction fee
- -
- Early repayment penalty
- -
- Other fees
- -
- Loan type
- Loan
- Security type
- Secured or Unsecured
- Minimum loan amount
- $10,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $500,000
- Minimum loan term
- 3 months
- Maximum loan term
- 3 years
- Repayment frequency
- Weekly
- Repayment types
- -
- Minimum trading period
- 1 year
- Minimum annual turnover
- $120,000
- Application speed
- From 24 hours
- Approval speed
- From 24 hours
- Funding speed
- From 24 hours
- Extra repayments allowed
- -
- Redraw allowed
- -
- Other benefits
- All industries supported.
- Other restrictions
- Loans up to $100K: No upfront collateral required Loans between $100K to $200K: Borrower must be a property owner Loans over $200K: Borrower must be a property owner, and the loan will be secured
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