Questions Mr gets asked a lot

A friendly guide to business funding for owners in Australia and New Zealand, with side-by-side explainers and help for trans-Tasman businesses. Mr himself is a cartoon mascot.

It's the shared guide for both countries. Enquiries go to Mr's Australian site or New Zealand site, so a person who knows your country's rules and lenders reads yours.

The one where your business trades. If you'll use property as security, start where the property is. Trading in both with no property? Start where the borrowing business banks.

No. It's general information drawn from official sources in both countries. It doesn't consider your circumstances, so talk to your accountant or adviser about your own situation.

No. There's no credit check when you first enquire on either country site. A check is only discussed once you decide to go ahead.

No. Mr's sites don't do spray-and-pray. A real person in your country looks at your situation and matches it properly.

About 60 seconds. You'll be asked how much you need, what it's for and a few details about the business and any property.

Because the match depends on it. Accurate amounts, turnover, tax position and property details mean the person reading your enquiry can point you to the right option the first time.

Property-secured options run from $20,000 to $5,000,000. Unsecured and cash-flow options for trading businesses are typically $5,000 to $500,000, sized on turnover and bank statements.

A first mortgage, a second mortgage or caveat-style security over residential or commercial property, in either country.

Yes, case by case. What happened, when, and what's changed since all matter, and property security can help a lot.

Also considered case by case. An arrangement with the tax office that you're keeping to helps, and some owners borrow specifically to clear tax debt.

No. Every business loan is priced on the business's own circumstances, so a headline rate would only mislead.

No. Mr's sites are about funding for business purposes only.

It's worth asking, but security is usually taken in the property's own country. Start your enquiry where the property is and explain where the business trades.

Not automatically. Australia and New Zealand have separate credit bureaus and files, so bring documents that show your history.

If it carries on business there, usually yes: with ASIC as a foreign company in Australia, or on the Overseas Register within 10 working days in New Zealand. Many owners set up a local company instead.