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SME Loan Guarantee Phase Two: October 1 2020
SME Guarantee loans can now be larger, longer term and for a wider range of purposes.
The initial phase of the Scheme remains available for new loans issued by eligible lenders until 30 September 2020.
The second phase of the Scheme will start on 1 October 2020 and will be available until 30 June 2021.
Key changes include:
• Loans can be for a wider range of investment, beyond working capital
• Secured lending now permitted (excludes commercial or residential property)
• Maximum loan size increased to $1 million (from $250,000 per borrower)
• Maximum loan term now five years (from three years)
• Lenders can now offer a repayment deferral period.
Jobkeeper business loan hotlines
Contact your bank to fast-track assistance until JobKeeper payments begin.
| ANZ | Commbank | NAB | Westpac |
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| 1800 571 123 | 13 26 07 | 1800 562 533 | 1300 731 073 |
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| 1300 669 472 | 1300 784 873 | 1300 730 196 | 1300 55 72 72 |
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| 13 11 55 | web enquiry only |
About the package
Loan Deferrals
If your business or not-for-profit has been adversely impacted by COVID-19 your bank will allow you to defer principal and interest repayments for all loans attached to the business for a period of six months. While the interest will be capitalised and paid off over the life of the loan.
While you won’t make any principal or interest payments for the six months, interest will continue to be accrued, it can then be paid off over the life of the loan once repayments begin again, or the length of the loan can be extended. This is a discussion that should be had between you and your bank.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must have less than $10 million total debt to all credit providers. You need to be current, and not in arrears as of 1 January 2020. It does not matter how many people you employ. Some banks are applying these criteria flexibly, so if you fall outside please contact your bank to discuss your situation.
The bank will ask you to self-assess whether your business (or not-for-profit) has been adversely impacted, no further verification will be required. In order to participate you must advise your bank that your business (or not-for-profit) is affected by COVID-19, they will fast track the approval process and provide support as soon as possible.
SME Loan Guarantee Scheme
Participating banks are also offering loans, including overdrafts, at very low interest rates, to help bridge cash flow gaps. Under the government backed SME Loan Guarantee scheme, no loan repayments will be required for the first six months of the loan and applies to new loans made until 30 September 2020.
JobKeeper
The Federal Government has also introduced a JobKeeper program. Under the scheme, businesses and not-for-profits significantly impacted will be able to access a wage subsidy from the Government to continue paying their employees. This assistance will help businesses to keep people in their jobs and re-start when the crisis is over. For employees, this means they can keep their job and earn an income.
Find your bank
Select your bank to find out more about their individual relief packages
Support During Covid-19
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