Last Updated: 25 May 2026

Small Business Restructuring Finance in Australia

Get the working capital you need to keep your business running before, during or after an SBR. Stabilise cash flow and regain control of your business with the right funding solution.*

Access financing during the business restructuring process
Get lines of credit and or raise capital against assets
Access working capital to pay rent, wages, utilities, and other essential costs
Some approvals as fast as 24-48 hours

How to Apply for Rent to Own with Dark Horse Financial

Contact Our Team

Fill out our online form to apply for SBR finance. We’ll get in touch with you fast to understand your situation and make a recommendation.

Submit Application

We’ll expertly handle your application from start to finish. Some types of SBR finance can be approved within 24 to 48 hours with minimal documentation.

Get Funded

Once approved, documentation is signed electronically, making settlement fast. Once settled, the funds will be disbursed to your account, or a facility will be available for you to access.

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Small Business Restructuring Overview

In 2021, Australia introduced the Small Business Restructuring (SBR) process to help businesses that are in financial distress. Before this change, small businesses didn’t have many choices. They often had to choose between voluntary administration and liquidation. Directors may lose control during either of these processes, which can be disruptive.

An SBR, on the other hand, lets directors keep control of their company while working with a registered Small Business Restructuring Practitioner. The practitioner helps come up with a restructuring plan that explains how debts will be handled and what creditors can expect to be paid back. The business can keep doing business if most of its creditors agree to the plan. It will also be able to pay off its debts in a more organised and manageable way.

A restructuring plan can help with debts, but it doesn’t always fix short term cash flow problems. This is where SBR funding comes in handy.

How Small Business Restructuring Works in Australia

Below is a step by step outline of how SBR typically works:

Step 1

To be eligible for SBR, the company must have less than $1 million in debt and be up to date on its tax filings.

Step 2

A registered restructuring practitioner is put in charge of the process, helps make the plan, and is the main point of contact for creditors.

Step 3

The plan for restructuring is made. It says how much the business plans to pay back its creditors, when it will do so, and how it will pay for the plan.

Step 4

The plan is sent to creditors, who then vote on whether or not to accept it. For approval, most of the creditors by value must agree.

Step 5

If the creditors agree to the plan, the business pays as promised. Getting financing during SBR can be very important for making sure these payments are made and for keeping the business running.

Will Lenders Provide Loans During Small Business Restructure?

Most lenders will not provide funding to businesses going through a restructure, but specialist lenders see the potential in the Small Business Restructuring process and can provide funding.

Some lenders are willing to provide loans if you have an approved restructuring plan.

At Dark Horse Financial will help you find the right lenders who know how SBR works and can give you the funding you need.

What is SBR Finance?

The main purpose of SBR finance is to provide funding to businesses that are going through the SBR process. It gives businesses the working capital they need during a time when they need to stabilise and keep trading while undergoing restructuring. This kind of financing lets businesses keep running, pay their employees, and meet their obligations to suppliers.

The Role of SBR Finance

SBR finance is funding that a business can access during the restructuring process to help it manage its cash flow and keep trading. Many businesses that are going into an SBR already have tight cash reserves, and getting additional funding can mean the difference between successfully trading through an SBR or not.

Funding during this time can help with:

Meeting operational expenses such as wages, rent, and supplier payments.
Covering the costs of the restructuring process itself.
Providing working capital while the restructuring plan is being implemented.
Strengthening the business’s position when negotiating with creditors.

Types of Finance Available During Small Business Restructure

Every business facing a restructure has different financial pressures. Depending on your needs, there are several finance options that can be used alongside an SBR plan to provide cash flow and stability:

Invoice Finance

If your business has money tied up in unpaid invoices, invoice finance can unlock that cash quickly. Instead of waiting 30 to 90 days for customers to pay, you can access funds almost immediately. This can be especially useful for businesses in industries where long payment terms are standard and cash flow is tight.

Lines of Credit

A business line of credit gives you flexible access to funds when you need them. During a restructure, this can be an effective way to manage working capital and smooth out cash flow gaps. You only draw down what you need, and interest is charged on the amount you use, making it a practical option for covering unexpected costs.

Capital Raises Against Assets

For business owners with assets, such as property, equipment, or vehicles, raising capital against those assets can provide much needed funds. This type of finance can help cover essential expenses during the restructure, pay down pressing debts, or provide the runway needed to execute your restructuring plan successfully.

Who Qualifies for SBR Funding and Loans?

Businesses generally qualify if they:

Are undertaking a formal Small Business Restructure with a registered restructuring practitioner.
Have total debts of less than $1 million
Operate as a company (not as a sole trader or partnership)
Demonstrate a viable path forward with the restructure in place
Can demonstrate capacity to repay a loan or line of credit and have the appropriate security to obtain a loan.

Even if you’re not sure whether you meet all the criteria, speaking with our team can help clarify your options.

How Long Does it Take to Access SBR Finance?

One of the key advantages of non bank lending options is the speed of access. While bank loans can take weeks or months, non bank lenders can often approve and release funds within days. The exact timeframe depends on the lender, the type of finance, and whether security is involved For example:

Unsecured lines of credit may be approved within 24–48 hours.
Invoice finance facilities can have letters of offer available in 24 hours, with funding available in a week or a few weeks depending on the selected lender.
Asset based finance typically takes between 24 hours and a few weeks depending on the selected lender.

Who Provides SBR Finance Services in Australia?

Not all lenders are willing to provide funding to businesses undergoing a restructure. Traditional banks and many unsecured lenders will not consider lending to businesses going through an SBR. However, there are specialist lenders who understand the SBR framework and the opportunities it creates.

Providers of SBR finance in Australia include:

Specialist non bank lenders who focus on supporting businesses under financial pressure.
Invoice finance providers who advance funds against accounts receivable.
Private lenders who may offer asset backed or short term cash flow loans.

Working with a finance broker like Dark Horse Financial can make it easier to identify the best lender providing SBR finance in Australia for your situation.

Why Small Business Restructuring Finance Matters

SBR finance has a lot more benefits than just giving you a quick cash boost. For a lot of small businesses, it’s the only way to stay in business and get back on their feet. Some of the most important benefits are:

Finance makes sure that the business can keep running every day, even while debts are being reorganised.
SBR finance helps businesses meet their obligations on time by giving them access to cash exactly when they need it.
With SBR finance, you can pay your employees on time and keep good relationships with your suppliers, which protects the business’s foundation.
When creditors see that the business has secure access to funding, they are more likely to agree to and support a restructuring plan.
Businesses can avoid or lower the amount of debt collection action, legal disputes, or forced insolvency processes when they get the money they need to pay their creditors.
Instead of worrying all the time about bills that are past due and not having enough funds, directors can focus on the long term recovery, rebuilding profitability, and getting the company back on track.
Once the business is stable, SBR finance can help you reinvest in growth opportunities. That could mean getting more inventory or going after new contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is small business restructuring the same as liquidation?

No, small business restructuring is not the same as liquidation. Restructuring is designed to save the business and allow it to continue trading, whereas a liquidation is the process of closing down the business for good and selling off assets.

How long does the SBR process take?

The formal small business restructuring process typically takes around 35 business days once a restructuring plan is proposed. Finance can often be arranged much quicker to support operations in the meantime. Unsecured lines of credit can be approved within 24 48 hours, while asset finance can be approved from 24 hours up to a few weeks.

Can you get working capital funding during an SBR?

Yes. Businesses can access working capital solutions such as invoice finance, lines of credit, or asset based lending during an SBR, provided they can demonstrate they can service the loan and have appropriate security. Not all lenders will provide funding for those undergoing a restructure, so lender selection is important. Our team can connect you with the right lenders that see the potential in the SBR process and will allow funding.

What types of finance are available to businesses in SBR?

SBR finance options include invoice finance, business lines of credit, and raising capital against assets like property, vehicles, equipment and machinery. Each option provides flexibility to support cash flow during the restructure.

Can SBR loans be used for small business debt recovery?

Yes. SBR loans can be used to settle outstanding debts or manage creditor payments, creating breathing room and allowing the business to focus on trading. Financing can be an essential part of business recovery.

Will suppliers still trade with a business in SBR?

Many suppliers are willing to continue trading during SBR when they see that a business has an approved restructuring plan and funding in place to support ongoing payments.

About the author

Jeff Suter

Jeff Suter is the Director of Dark Horse Financial, an Australian specialist finance brokerage helping business owners and individuals secure funding solutions when traditional lenders fall short. With extensive experience across commercial lending, home loans, and complex finance scenarios, Jeff is known for delivering tailored strategies that align with each client’s unique goals. He works closely with a broad panel of bank and non-bank lenders to structure competitive, flexible finance solutions, supporting clients through everything from growth funding to debt restructuring.