Quick answer
We arrange private business loans from $20,000 to $5,000,000 across regional Queensland, secured by homes, commercial and industrial property, and rural land. Larger centres like Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba, Mackay and Rockhampton have enough sales activity for fast valuations. Smaller towns and rural holdings are considered too, with more valuation time and sometimes a lower maximum amount.
Key points
- Major regional centres value quickly
- Smaller towns and rural land considered
- Mining, agriculture and trade businesses welcome
- Same Titles Queensland process as Brisbane
- Coverage
- All of regional Queensland
- Titles office
- Titles Queensland
- Loan size
- $20,000 to $5,000,000
- Enquiry
- No credit check to enquire
Queensland is the most decentralised mainland state, with major cities strung along the coast and agricultural and mining regions stretching far inland. Many of the owners we work with run businesses well outside the south-east corner, and their property is just as useful as security.
Regional centres
| Centre | What we commonly see |
|---|---|
| Townsville | Defence, health and trade businesses; homes and industrial property |
| Cairns | Tourism, marine and hospitality; homes, units and commercial |
| Toowoomba | Agriculture, transport and services; homes, sheds and farmland |
| Mackay | Mining services and engineering; homes and industrial |
| Rockhampton | Beef, transport and trades; homes and commercial |
| Bundaberg and Hervey Bay | Horticulture, retail and construction; homes and land |
| Gladstone | Industry and port services; homes and industrial |
| Emerald, Roma and Dalby | Agriculture and resources; homes, sheds and rural land |
In the larger centres, valuers are local and sales evidence is plentiful. Valuation and settlement times are similar to Brisbane.
Smaller towns and rural land
In smaller towns, fewer sales mean valuers have less evidence to rely on, and lenders may offer a lower amount relative to value. That doesn’t mean no. A house on a town block in a stable community, or a well-improved rural property with water, is still good security. Our rural and farm property page explains how lenders assess farmland.
What regional owners borrow for
- mining services contractors funding equipment and wages ahead of contract payments
- farmers and graziers covering a poor season or a tax bill from a good one
- transport operators buying trucks or clearing fuel and tax debts
- trades and builders in growing centres like Toowoomba and Townsville
- tourism operators in Far North Queensland preparing for the dry season
- buying freehold premises from a retiring landlord
Weather, insurance and valuations
North Queensland property carries cyclone and flood exposure, and insurance costs are higher than in the south-east. Lenders want to see that property is insured, and valuers consider whether a property has a history of damage. In flood-prone parts of towns like Rockhampton, Townsville or Charleville, flood mapping can affect value. Disclosing this upfront avoids surprises.
Support options beside private lending
Rural and regional owners sometimes have access to government-backed options. The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority offers loans to eligible primary producers and small businesses, and the Rural Financial Counselling Service provides free help to farmers facing financial pressure. These can be slower than private lending, but they’re worth a look, and some owners use a private loan as a bridge while a government loan is assessed.
A worked example
A Mackay engineering workshop serving the Bowen Basin won a large maintenance contract that required new equipment and a bigger workforce. It needed $650,000 before the first monthly payment arrived. The bank was supportive but slow, citing the business’s reliance on a single industry.
The owners had a freehold workshop in Paget and a home in Mackay. A private lender took a first mortgage over the workshop, valued at about $1.3 million, keeping the home out of it. The loan settled in eight business days with a twelve-month term. Contract income repaid half within six months, and the bank refinanced the balance.
Distance and timing
A valuer may need to travel to inspect a property in a smaller town, and that can add a few days. Electronic settlement means the legal side moves just as quickly as in Brisbane, so the valuation is usually the only step that takes longer. If timing is tight, tell us early. For some properties, a lender may accept a desktop valuation backed by recent local sales and council data, at least for an initial caveat, with a full inspection to follow.
Using a city property for a regional business
Some regional owners also hold property in Brisbane, on the coast or interstate, perhaps an investment unit or a family member’s home offered as security with their agreement. Using that property can widen the pool of lenders and speed things up, while leaving the rural holding or the family home untouched. The business and the security don’t need to be in the same place, and lenders are comfortable with that.
Keep your accountant in the loop
Regional businesses often deal with seasonal tax bills, fuel credits and income averaging. Your accountant can confirm the real size of any ATO debt and the timing of future income, which helps set a loan term that matches the season rather than fighting it.
Start a regional enquiry
Tell us where the property is and what the business needs. We’ll tell you how lenders are likely to view the location. There’s no credit check when you first enquire, and your details stay with our desk. Accurate answers mean a faster first response. Check your eligibility, or read about ATO debt solutions and then start your enquiry.
Frequently asked questions
Will a lender accept property in a small town?
Often, yes, but the pool of lenders is smaller and the maximum loan may be lower than for a city property. Towns with regular sales and a stable economy are easier.
Do you fund mining services businesses?
Yes. Lenders focus on the property and the exit. Contract-based income tied to mining is common in the Bowen Basin and around Mount Isa.
Is cyclone or flood risk a problem?
It's a factor, not a barrier. Valuers consider insurance availability and flood mapping. Property with insurance in place and no recent damage is generally fine.
How long does a regional loan take?
In major centres, timing is similar to Brisbane. In smaller towns, allow extra time for a valuer to inspect.