Bridging finance questions, answered

Short-term finance that covers the gap between two events: a cost that's due now and an event that will repay it later, such as a property sale, a refinance, a refund, an insurance payout or a grant payment. It's repaid by that later event, which is called the exit.

Business purposes such as buying premises before selling, covering a delayed settlement, paying a deposit, clearing a tax debt, funding stock or wages while waiting on a payment, or keeping R&D projects running until the refund arrives.

Property-secured bridging runs from $20,000 to $5,000,000 using first mortgages, second mortgages or caveats over residential or commercial property. For trading businesses without property, unsecured and cash-flow options are typically $5,000 to $500,000, sized on turnover and bank statements.

It's set around your exit, not a standard length. The term should run from when you need the money until the latest realistic date your exit could happen, plus a buffer. Our bridging loan term page explains how to size it.

Not always. Property opens up larger amounts and longer terms, but a trading business waiting on a known payment may suit an unsecured cash-flow bridge.

Yes, for a genuine business purpose. Everyone on the title needs to agree and should understand the arrangement. Because the home is at stake, the exit needs to be especially clear.

Often, yes. A second mortgage or caveat bridge can sit behind an existing first mortgage. Some loan terms restrict further security, so it's worth checking your documents early.

Peak debt is the most you owe during the bridge, usually while you hold both the old and new positions. End debt is what's left after the exit repays part or all of it. The bridging calculator works out both from your figures.

A closed bridge has a contracted exit with a known date, like an exchanged sale. An open bridge's exit is planned but not yet contracted, like a listed but unsold property. Open bridges generally need more headroom and a longer term.

A specific event with a realistic date, an amount that covers the bridge, and written evidence: a sale contract, a refinance approval, a lodged claim, an R&D registration or a signed grant agreement. A plan B makes it stronger still.

Yes, it can be the planned exit. Be aware that the ATO can retain BAS refunds for checking and generally offsets refunds against tax debts, both of which can affect timing and amount.

Contact your lender early with evidence of progress and a revised timeline. Options include an extension, refinancing the balance, or adjusting a sale. Building buffer into the original term avoids most of these conversations.

Because every facility is priced on the business's own circumstances: the security, the exit, the term and the amount. A headline rate would be misleading for most readers. We'll give you the estimated cost of your bridge in dollars.

Past credit issues and ATO debt are considered case by case. With bridging, the security and the exit usually carry more weight than history. Tell us about any issues up front.

No. There's no credit check when you first enquire. A credit check is only discussed once you've decided to go ahead.

No. Your enquiry stays with one team. We don't spray leads, so you won't be inundated with calls. A real person reads your enquiry and calls you.

Because we build the structure on your answers: property values, existing loans, amounts and dates. Accurate details let us suggest the right option on the first call instead of the second or third.