Week of 21 October 2026

A growth opportunity can be exciting, and a little unnerving. You might be weighing a new contract, a fit-out or a piece of equipment, while wondering whether the business can comfortably carry the cost. I’ve seen how easy it is to focus on the opportunity and leave the repayment maths for later.

But here’s the thing: borrowing can help you build wealth, but only when the numbers support the decision. You deserve to grow a profitable business without putting your cash buffer, personal boundaries or peace of mind on the line.

This week, we’re looking at why more Australian SMEs are considering non-bank finance, what the card surcharge ban means for pricing, and five practical moves to help you make clear-eyed decisions.

More SMEs are looking beyond the banks for growth funding

ScotPac’s latest SME Growth Index, released this week, found that 61% of SMEs planning to invest over the next six months intend to use non-bank finance. That’s up from 19% in 2019. By comparison, 31% plan to use traditional bank lending.

The report also found that 59% of SMEs intend to invest, and 97% expect to use their own funds or equity for at least part of that investment. Flexible funding and quicker decisions can appeal when an opportunity has a short window, or when owners want to avoid tying up cash or relying as heavily on the family home as security.

There’s another signal to watch: according to Equifax data reported by Mortgage Professional Australia, SME business loan enquiries rose 14% year on year in September. Enquiries aren’t the same as approved loans, but the lift suggests more smaller businesses are seeking working capital.

At the same time, Judo Bank reported that its combined share of loans more than 90 days past due and impaired loans rose to 3.16% at 30 September, up from 2.90% at June. The bank also noted greater caution among SME customers. That’s a useful reminder: borrowing is a tool, not a guarantee that growth will go to plan.

Fast money can be expensive money. Before signing an offer, understand the full cost of funds (including interest, establishment charges and ongoing fees) and test repayments against a realistic cashflow forecast. Does the repayment still fit when work slows, invoices land late or your busiest season passes?

A bookkeeper or fractional CFO can help you examine those moving parts before you commit. That’s where cashflow planning and virtual CFO services can bring useful clarity: not by making the decision for you, but by showing what the decision may mean for your business.

The surcharge ban is now a pricing question

The 1 October card surcharge ban has been in place for three weeks. Businesses can no longer add surcharges to Visa, Mastercard, eftpos or American Express transactions under the networks’ rules. The Reserve Bank’s guidance explains what the changes cover.

As ABC News reported, some NSW businesses are absorbing merchant fees while others are reviewing prices. It’s understandable to want to protect your margin, but the solution needs to be transparent and properly costed.

The ACCC warns that relabelling a card surcharge as a “service”, “admin” or “processing” fee may mislead customers under Australian Consumer Law. Genuine fees that apply regardless of payment method may be different; for example, a clearly disclosed weekend or public holiday surcharge can still apply. Businesses may also offer a clearly presented discount for a specific payment method, such as cash or PayID.

So, tidy the whole payment setup, not just the surcharge line. Check your terminal, checkout page, menus, invoices and booking system. Then review your prices against your actual costs and margins. A fair, clear price helps customers trust you and gives your business a sounder footing.

One date to keep on your radar

The quarterly BAS for July to September is due Wednesday, 28 October 2026, under the standard lodgement cycle. Payday Super is a separate, pay-by-pay obligation, not a single quarterly deadline: contributions generally need to reach employees’ funds within seven business days of payday. Check the ATO’s BAS due dates and Payday Super deadlines, and make sure your BAS and payroll processes are up to date.

Five moves to make this week

1. Stress-test any borrowing before you sign. By Friday, list the total fees, interest rate, repayment amount and term for each offer you’re considering. Ask your lender to explain anything unclear, then compare the repayments with your forecast under both expected and slower-sales conditions. Include your seasonal pattern, not just an average month.

2. Build a 13-week cashflow forecast. By next Wednesday, map your expected customer receipts, payroll, supplier payments, tax and loan repayments week by week. Highlight any week when cash gets tight and identify what you can adjust early. A forecast is a torch, not a promise: update it as real figures come in.

3. Audit your payment journey. Within five business days, test a customer transaction from booking or checkout through to the receipt. Remove any card surcharge, check that the displayed price is clear, and ask your payment provider about your merchant costs. If you offer a cash or PayID discount, make sure the discount and the price customers otherwise pay are easy to understand.

4. Check the numbers that drive your industry’s margins. By the end of the week, review one key cashflow or pricing pressure in your business. Creative agencies can check project deposits and slow-paying client invoices; medical and allied health practices can review appointment utilisation and claim delays; real estate firms can map commission timing and trust-account processes; hair and beauty salons can compare service margins with product and staffing costs; and building and construction businesses can check progress claims, retention and supplier payment dates. Which pressure point could you act on first?

5. Clear the compliance calendar. Before 28 October, confirm who is preparing and lodging your BAS and make sure the figures and supporting records are ready. Separately, check that your payroll process is sending super on the Payday Super timetable. Set a recurring reminder for each payday so it doesn’t depend on someone remembering later.

Build wealth with your eyes open

Wanting financial success isn’t something to apologise for. A profitable business can support your family, your team, your customers and the causes you care about. The goal isn’t growth at any cost. It’s growth that respects your values, protects your working capital and pays you fairly for the work you do.

Start with the numbers you have. Ask better questions. Get support before a decision becomes urgent. And remember: a lender’s approval tells you what they’re willing to offer, not whether the repayments fit your business.

If you’d like help untangling your numbers, explore our bookkeeping for small business and virtual CFO services. Our team can help with profit-focused bookkeeping, cashflow planning and practical financial insights, so you can spend less time in the admin weeds and more time running your business.

This article is general information only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax or lending advice. Consider your circumstances and seek advice from appropriately qualified professionals before making financial or borrowing decisions.