New Horizon for Small Business Lending Rules

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

The proposed regulations, aimed at modifying the National Consumer Credit Protection Regulations 2010, will push the deadline of the current small business lending exemption to October 3, 2026, from its original expiry of October 3, 2024.

Essentially, this extension means that loans serving both personal and legitimate business purposes-where the business component isn't marginal-will remain exempt from responsible lending regulations.

Current consumer credit laws, highlighted in Chapter 3 of the National Credit Act, generally bypass commercial funding. However, mixed-purpose loans (for example, blending personal and commercial finance needs) are subject to these laws unless it is evident that the primary use is for business.

Eligibility for the exemption defines a small business as having fewer than 100 employees or recording revenue of $5 million or below in the last fiscal year.

Extending the exemption offers more runtime for gathering data, which will aid in making a well-informed future decision about whether the exemption should become permanent, expire, or be altered to boost efficacy.

This approach appears to shed light on the adaptability of lending regulations, pushing boundaries for the benefit of small business dynamics within the evolving market landscape.

Source: Initially reported by David Jacobson, Bright Corporate Law Principal.

Disclaimer: This information is shared for informative purposes and should not be considered as legal advice. Always seek expert consultation to address specific needs before acting on any information provided.

Published:Thursday, 15th Aug 2024
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Finance News

Clear

Pioneering All-Electric Freight Delivery in Australia

08 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

In a significant advancement for Australia's logistics sector, New Energy Transport has successfully completed the nation's first all-electric heavy road freight delivery. This landmark journey involved transporting goods from Sydney to Canberra using a fully electric prime mover, marking a pivotal step towards sustainable freight operations. - read more

Driving the Future: CEFC and Volvo's $70 Million Electric Truck Initiative

08 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

In a concerted effort to expedite the adoption of electric trucks in Australia, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has partnered with Volvo Group Australia to introduce a $70 million financing package. This initiative is designed to address the financial barriers associated with transitioning to battery electric trucks (BETs), thereby promoting sustainable practices within the transport sector. - read more

Revolutionising Truck Financing: Permanent Instant Asset Write-Off

08 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian government's decision to make the $20,000 instant asset write-off permanent has significant implications for businesses, particularly those in the trucking industry. This policy change eliminates the traditional end-of-financial-year (EOFY) rush to purchase assets, allowing for more strategic and flexible financial planning. - read more

Zenobē's $100 Million Boost to Australia's Electric Truck Fleet

01 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

UK-based electric fleet leasing company Zenobē has announced a substantial investment of $100 million AUD aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric trucks across Australia. This initiative seeks to more than double the current number of electric trucks in the country, increasing the fleet from approximately 1,000 to 2,000 by the end of 2026. - read more

NewVolt's $25.3 Million Investment in Melbourne's Electric Truck Charging Infrastructure

01 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

NewVolt, with backing from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), has announced a $25.3 million investment to develop three open-access fast-charging hubs for electric trucks across Melbourne. This initiative aims to address one of the critical barriers to electric truck adoption: the availability of reliable and efficient charging infrastructure. - read more

Click for more Finance News