Free tool
Paperwork Stopwatch
Paperwork is the part of a 24-hour funding attempt you control completely. Tick what's already on hand and the stopwatch shows the gaps, how long each takes to fix and how much time it could cost if it isn't fixed.
Paperwork ready
Tick what you have
Gaps, slowest first
Illustrative working-time estimates for planning only. Gaps can overlap, so the total is a rough ceiling, not a forecast.
Why paperwork decides whether 24 hours is possible
On a fast business loan, the lender's side of the work can often be compressed into a few hours. Your side can't be compressed by anyone but you. Each missing document either stops a stage from starting or sends the file back a step, and because stages run one after another, a gap early in the chain pushes every later stage back — sometimes past a settlement cut-off and into the next business day.
The stopwatch weights each item by how much time it tends to cost when it's missing. A forgotten ABN takes minutes to find. An unavailable guarantor or an unrequested payout figure can cost a whole business day. You can see how those delays fall across the stages in the 24-Hour Funding Clock.
The documents that matter most, and where to get them
- Bank statements: online banking lets you download statements as PDFs in minutes. Six months is a sensible default. See how missing statements stall assessment.
- ATO position: the ATO's Online services for business shows your account balances and any payment plan. Knowing the number before the call avoids a pause later — more on ATO debt and fast loans.
- Property papers: a rates notice and a recent statement for any loan on the property let the title search and valuation be ordered straight away.
- Signatories: not a document, but the most common reason a file sits overnight. Read how signing delays happen.
Got most of the list ticked? That's a strong position to start a 60-second enquiry.
Start with what you've got
You don't need a perfect score to enquire. A lending specialist would rather hear from you early, with the gaps named, than late with everything polished. There's no credit check when you first enquire, your details stay with one team instead of being passed around, and a real person calls to work through what's missing. Fill in the form accurately and the first call can start on the right option. See if you qualify →
Frequently asked questions
Which missing document slows a fast business loan the most?
Usually a payout figure from an existing lender or a signatory who isn't available. Both can push settlement back by a business day or more because nobody else can supply them for you.
Do I need tax returns for a fast business loan?
Not always. Property-secured loans often lean on the security and your bank statements, while unsecured options are sized on turnover and statement conduct. The lender tells you on the first call if more is needed.
How recent should bank statements be?
The most recent six months, right up to the last few days, is a safe default. Gaps or old statements usually prompt a request for more, which costs time.
Is my information stored when I use the stopwatch?
No. The checklist runs in your browser and nothing is sent or saved. Your details only reach a lending specialist when you choose to enquire.
What if my business owes money to the ATO?
Say so on the first call. Tax debt is considered case by case, and knowing the balance and any payment plan early lets the assessment allow for it instead of stalling when it appears.
Paperwork half done? Enquire anyway
Tell us what's ready and what isn't. A real person maps the fastest path from there — no credit check to enquire.
No credit check to enquire
No spray-and-pray
A real person on the clock