For many Australian businesses, the new financial year is time for a strategic reset. Plans are sharpened, budgets are locked in, and appetite for growth surges. In fact, nearly two-thirds of SMEs are targeting growth in the year ahead, according to CommBank, buoyed by optimism around potential rate cuts and easing economic pressures.
“At the start of the financial year, attention shifts to investment,” says Nick Rowlands, Director of Chase Finance. “With fresh financials and forward-looking projections, businesses are in a prime position to plan proactively – whether that’s buying stock, ramping up operations, funding international trade or launching new initiatives.”
Funding solutions like invoice finance (also known as debtor finance) and trade finance become especially valuable at this time of year, adds Tony Fimeri, Commercial Manager at Chase Finance. “You’ve got the flexibility to plan without tax deadlines hanging over you and secure capital that supports long-term growth.”
In this article, Nick and Tony share why a new fiscal year is a smart time for SMEs to secure growth-ready funding.
From reactive to strategic – the case for early planning
As businesses shift into growth gear, lender confidence lifts.
“It aligns funding applications with annual planning, fresh opportunities, and a clean set of financial reports,” says Nick. “Lenders are more confident approving facilities off the back of freshly lodged financials. It’s also when businesses are updating their budgets and forecasts – clear signs of planning and intent.”
Yet many SMEs still fall into reactive patterns when it comes to finance. “They wait until a cash flow crunch or a tax bill before seeking funding,” says Nick. “That panic mode reduces options, pushes up costs, and adds unnecessary pressure.”
This can see businesses missing out on growth opportunities during peak periods because they’re chasing documents, approvals, and deadlines.
Instead, Nick encourages business owners to view finance as a strategic tool rather than a quick fix. “Planning early – with forecasts, working capital analysis, and pre-approvals – is often a low or no-cost exercise. To secure the best deal you need to be organised.”
How working capital finance can power early-year growth
Whether it’s trade finance to unlock supplier deals or invoice finance to speed up cash inflows, early access to funding gives businesses an edge.
“Securing working capital finance at the start of the financial year provides the cash flow flexibility to move fast – without tapping into reserves or waiting on payments,” Tony explains.
That agility matters. Many industries – agribusiness, construction, transport and logistics, food and beverage, and retail – see demand spike in the first half of the financial year, as the weather heats up and the holiday season approaches. “Finance allows you to stock up early, negotiate better deals, and get ahead of competitors,” says Tony.
“It gives you the ability to pivot – hire staff, boost production, change suppliers – without delay. And when you can pay upfront or early, it improves your trade terms and strengthens supplier relationships. That can even reduce your cost of goods.”
Invoice finance, he adds, is particularly effective for ongoing liquidity. “It frees up funds tied in invoices, giving you immediate capital to reinvest in the business.”
Business finance with foresight
If your business is planning for growth this year, timing matters.
“Securing finance at the beginning of the financial year lets businesses monitor cashflows monthly instead of scrambling at the end of the year,” says Nick. “It enables businesses to build long-term strategies – diversifying, expanding, or entering new markets – without having to scramble at year-end.”
Whether it’s an invoice finance facility to accelerate cash inflows or a trade finance line of credit to support purchasing, proactive business funding can be the difference between constrained operations and confident growth, says Nick, putting your business “in a prime position to leverage early-year opportunities.”
Power your growth with Octet
Planning for growth this financial year? Octet’s flexible working capital solutions, including Invoice Finance and Trade Finance, are designed to align with your growth strategy to optimise cash flow and seize opportunities.
Talk to our working capital finance experts today and we’ll help you find the best option to accelerate your growth.
Disclaimer: These comments are only our views and should not be construed as advice. You should act using your own information and judgment. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy, and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions and estimates constitute the author’s own judgment as at the date of publication and are subject to change without notice.
