Australia had 2,814,778 actively trading businesses at 30 June 2026. Trading status is a statistic; a finance application still needs current cash-flow and repayment evidence.

For an APRA-regulated bank, the assessment rate can be at least 3 percentage points above the loan rate. That buffer tests repayment capacity; it is not the rate you pay.

A complete document pack helps a mortgage broker assess your position, but clear must-haves, optional features and cost questions help you test whether each recommendation actually fits.