Short-term business loan
A lump sum to cover one or two pay runs, repaid over a short term. Ideal for a one-off timing problem.
Make payroll on time
Payroll Funding When You Need Money for Wages This Week
Pay day is coming and the account is short. Fast payroll funding can cover wages and super so your team is paid on time, every time.
Pay day pressure
What can I do if I can't make payroll this week?
It's Tuesday, wages go out Thursday, and the big customer payment you were counting on has slipped to next week. Every employer has felt that knot in the stomach. Paying your team late damages trust fast, and it can create problems with award obligations and super that cost far more than the shortfall itself.
Payroll funding is simply short-term business finance used to cover wages, super and PAYG withholding when cash flow and pay day don't line up. It isn't a special product so much as the right loan, sized and timed for this exact job.
For trading businesses, unsecured or cash-flow options typically run from $5,000 to $500,000, sized on turnover and bank statements, and same-day funding is possible for smaller amounts. If you own property, secured options from $20,000 can be possible the same day too. Apply today, pay your team tomorrow.
If you need money for wages this week, a short-term unsecured business loan or line of credit is usually the quickest option. Lenders assess your turnover and recent bank statements, and same-day funding is possible for smaller unsecured amounts. Trading businesses can typically access $5,000 to $500,000, while property owners can borrow from $20,000 to $5,000,000 with fast settlement possible.
Ways to fund wages
Which payroll funding option fits your business?
The best choice depends on whether this is a one-off gap or a pattern.
Line of credit
Draw only what you need, when you need it. Suits businesses with regular gaps between invoicing and pay day.
Invoice finance
Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices. A natural fit when slow-paying customers are the root cause.
How fast can I get money for wages?
Same-day funding is possible for smaller unsecured amounts when your application is complete. The quickest route is having six months of business bank statements, ID and your ABN ready the moment a lender asks. Lenders can often connect to bank statements electronically, which speeds things up even more.
Timing matters. If pay day is Thursday, enquire on Monday or Tuesday, not Thursday morning. Our guide to next-day business loan documents shows exactly what to have ready.
- Recent business bank statements
- Driver licence or other photo ID
- ABN and business details
- Your next pay run amount and date
- Any existing business loans or facilities
Does super have to be paid with wages now?
Super timing has changed. Under the ATO's Payday Super rules, which started on 1 July 2026, employers need super contributions to be received by employees' funds within 7 business days after paying wages. That means super is now tied much more closely to each pay run than it was under quarterly payments.
In practice, when you plan payroll funding, include super in the number, not just net wages and PAYG withholding. Check the details with your accountant or payroll provider.
Why does a profitable business run short on wages?
Usually it's timing. A builder waits 30 to 60 days for a progress claim. A wholesaler pays suppliers upfront but gets paid on terms. A hospitality venue has a quiet fortnight after a big month of stock purchases. None of these businesses are failing, but all of them can end up short on a Thursday.
If this happens regularly, a standing facility usually beats a one-off loan. Our page on the business line of credit explains how a revolving limit can smooth out pay days.
Seasonal businesses feel this most. A farm contractor hiring extra hands for harvest, or a retailer rostering on casuals before Christmas, can face a wages bill weeks before the extra income arrives. Planning that gap in advance, and lining up funding before the busy period starts, is far less stressful than scrambling on the Wednesday. See seasonal business loans for more.
Apply today… cashed up tomorrow!
Need the funds this week?
Start the 60-second enquiry now. When your documents are ready and the deal is straightforward, being cashed up as soon as tomorrow is possible for eligible applicants.
Can I get payroll funding with bad credit?
Bad credit is considered case by case. For unsecured funding, lenders lean heavily on what your bank statements show today: regular deposits, healthy turnover and how you manage existing commitments. A past default doesn't automatically rule you out.
If you're also behind on tax, see our urgent ATO debt funding page, as clearing both at once can be the smarter move.
A payroll crunch, solved
Consider an electrical contractor with a dozen staff. A large client pays late, and the pay run is two days away. The owner enquires on Tuesday morning, uploads bank statements online and gets a short-term unsecured loan funded so wages and super go out on time. When the client pays, the owner clears the loan early.
No missed pays, no awkward conversations with the team, and no damage to the business's reputation as a good employer.
Need money for wages this week? Start now
The enquiry takes about 60 seconds and there's no credit check when you first enquire. A real person looks at your situation and we don't spray your details out to a pile of lenders. Fill in the form accurately, including your monthly turnover, so we can match you first time.
Start the 60-second enquiry and get pay day sorted. You can also compare urgent cash flow funding options. All loans are subject to lender approval.
Trust and process
Clear, secure finance enquiries
Loanster keeps the enquiry process straightforward: no credit check to enquire, a real person looks at your situation, and your details are not sprayed out to a pile of lenders.
Secure online enquiry
Personal details are submitted through a secure form and are not sent through URL query strings.
Australian business context
Enquiries can include ABN, BAS, ATO, bank statement and asset details where relevant.
Lender criteria apply
Approval, pricing, loan amounts and funding times depend on lender assessment.
Clear next steps
Loanster helps identify what information may be needed before a lender can make a decision.
Common questions
Payroll Funding When You Need Money for Wages This Week FAQs
Can I get a loan to pay staff wages?
Yes. Paying wages is a legitimate business purpose and a common reason for short-term business loans. Lenders look at turnover and bank statements.
How quickly can payroll funding be in my account?
Same-day funding is possible for smaller unsecured amounts when your documents are ready. Larger property-secured amounts can be possible within 24 to 48 hours.
Do I need property to get payroll funding?
No. Unsecured and cash-flow options for trading businesses typically range from $5,000 to $500,000, sized on turnover and bank statements.
Can a sole trader get payroll funding?
Yes, if they employ staff and have a trading history. See our sole trader loans page for options built around self-employed owners.
Should I include super in my payroll funding?
Yes. Under Payday Super from 1 July 2026, super must reach employees' funds within 7 business days after you pay wages, so factor it into the amount you borrow.
What if I'm short on wages every month?
A recurring gap usually points to a cash flow timing issue. A line of credit or invoice finance may suit better than repeated one-off loans.
Related finance options
Explore connected Loanster pages
Urgent Cash Flow Funding for Australian Businesses
Profitable on paper but short in the bank this week? Urgent cash flow funding bridges the gap between money coming in and bills going out.
Business Line of Credit
Explore a business line of credit for flexible access to funds when cash flow timing matters.
Invoice Finance for Australian Businesses
Explore invoice finance options that may help turn outstanding customer invoices into working capital sooner.
Same Day Business Loans: When Today Really Means Today
Same-day business funding is possible in Australia for the right situation. Here's what decides whether your money lands before close of business.
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Tell Loanster what kind of finance you are looking for and the team will guide you through the next step. Please fill in the form accurately so we can match you first time. Finance is subject to lender approval, eligibility criteria, terms and conditions.
Prefer to talk? Call 03 9999 7370.
Last reviewed: 24 October 2026
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