Quick answer
A large business loan is generally one of several hundred thousand dollars up to several million. At that size, lenders almost always want property security: business loans secured by residential or commercial property range from $20,000 to $5,000,000. Expect a valuation, more detailed financials, a clear purpose and, for short terms, a documented exit such as a sale or refinance.
Key points
- Property-secured business loans reach up to $5,000,000
- Bigger loans need more paperwork: valuations, financials, tax position, an exit plan
- Structure (term, repayment style, security mix) matters as much as size
- Run a downside scenario before committing to a large repayment
At half a million and up, a business loan stops being a quick top-up and starts being a project. More paperwork, more people involved, more riding on getting the structure right. Also: more upside, if the money does what it should.
What counts as a large business loan?
There’s no official line, but once you’re past a few hundred thousand dollars you’re usually in property-secured territory. Our property-backed business loans run up to $5,000,000 against residential or commercial property. Unsecured options are typically capped around $500,000 and sized on turnover.
Common reasons for large loans:
- buying a business or a partner’s share;
- buying or fitting out premises;
- funding a big contract or development project;
- clearing a large ATO debt in one go;
- consolidating several business debts;
- bridging between buying and selling a property.
How are large loans assessed differently?
| Factor | Small unsecured loan | Large property-backed loan |
|---|---|---|
| Main evidence | Bank statements | Property value plus business financials |
| Valuation | No | Yes, usually formal |
| Documents | Lighter | Tax returns, financials, BAS, loan statements |
| Exit plan | Rarely needed | Essential for short terms |
| Structure | Simple | Term, repayment style and security mix all negotiable |
The business.gov.au guide to applying for a loan suggests having a business plan, cash flow statements and forecasts ready. At this size, have them ready before you’re asked.
Big number, big plan? Let’s talk it through properly. Start step 1 in about 60 seconds. No credit check to enquire, and an expert who handles larger deals calls you.
Structure matters as much as size
Two large loans of the same amount can feel completely different. Invented example: a $1,500,000 loan over 24 months to buy and fit out a warehouse, with a quoted total cost of finance of $240,000, for a business banking $400,000 a month.
| Structure | Monthly repayment | Share of turnover | At the end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spread evenly | $72,500 | 18.1% | Nothing owing |
| Cost during term, principal at end | $10,000 | 2.5% | $1,500,000 due |
| Shorter loan now, refinance to a longer loan later | Varies | Varies | Depends on refinance |
The first structure may be too heavy. The second is light, but only works if a refinance or sale is genuinely lined up. Often the answer is a short-term loan now with a plan to move to longer-term finance once the warehouse is settled and trading. Model it in the repayment planner.
Run a downside scenario
Before you sign a large loan, ask: what if turnover drops by a fifth for three months? What if the sale settles late? What if the refinance takes longer?
- Can the business still meet repayments?
- Is there a cash buffer?
- Is there a plan B exit?
Our borrow-to-grow payback test gives you a simple way to stress-test the purpose.
Contract terms are worth reading twice
ASIC’s unfair contract terms protections can apply to small businesses with fewer than 100 employees or turnover under $10 million, for financial product contracts where the upfront price is $5 million or less. That’s a backstop, not a substitute for reading the offer. Get legal advice on large loan documents, especially guarantees.
What our expert will ask you on the call
- What’s the purpose, and what’s the total project cost?
- Which properties are available as security, and what’s owed?
- What do your latest financials and BAS look like?
- How long do you need the money, and what’s the exit?
- Who are the guarantors, and are they on board?
Myth or reality: large business loans
“Big loans only come from the big banks.” Specialist and non-bank lenders write large property-secured business loans too, and the Reserve Bank’s October 2025 bulletin noted their share of business lending has been growing.
“The bigger the loan, the better the terms.” Sometimes, but structure matters more. A large loan on the wrong term or repayment style can strain a business more than a smaller, well-shaped one.
“Valuations always come in at my estimate.” Not always. Allow for a lower figure and have a plan if it lands short, such as adding another property or reducing the amount.
“Guarantees are a formality.” They’re not. A guarantee can make you personally responsible for the debt. Read the documents and get independent legal advice before signing.
Your large-loan prep list
Big deals move faster when the paperwork is ready before it’s requested. Pull these together early:
- Two years of financials and tax returns, plus your latest BAS and ATO portal statement.
- Statements for every business account and every existing loan.
- Property details for each security: address, owners, rates notice, current mortgage statement.
- A one-page summary of the purpose, total project cost and how the loan gets repaid.
- Exit evidence for short terms: a sale contract, a refinance indication or a signed contract with payment dates.
- Guarantor details, and confirmation they’re on board and willing to get legal advice.
Go big, with a plan
Large business loans can change the shape of a business. Built on the right structure, with a real exit, they’re one of the most powerful tools there is.
Take step 1 now. It’s a 60-second enquiry with no credit check, your details stay with us instead of being sprayed across lenders, and a real expert works through your deal. Please give us the full picture on the form, including all properties and existing debts. Big loans go smoothest when nothing surprises anyone later.
Frequently asked questions
What's the largest business loan available through 123 Business Loans?
Property-secured business loans range up to $5,000,000 against residential or commercial property. Unsecured options are typically capped at around $500,000 and sized on turnover.
Can I use several properties to secure one large loan?
Often, yes. Lenders can take security over more than one property to support a larger loan, as long as all owners agree and the combined equity supports it.
What documents do I need for a large business loan?
Expect ID, ABN or ACN details, business bank statements, recent tax returns or financial statements, BAS and ATO portal position, property details and rates notices, existing loan statements and, for short-term loans, evidence of your exit.
How long does a large business loan take?
Larger loans involve valuations, legal documents and sometimes more than one property, so they usually take longer than small unsecured loans. Having documents ready and responding quickly are the biggest things you control.
Can a large loan be short-term?
Yes. Large short-term property-secured loans are often used to bridge a sale, fund a project or clear a large tax debt, with the principal repaid at the end from a defined exit.