https://cloudfloat.com/blog/ Notes on cash flow, working capital and getting paid, for Australian businesses. en-AU Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +1000 https://cloudfloat.com/icon-512.png https://cloudfloat.com/blog/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/card-surcharge-ban-october-2026/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/card-surcharge-ban-october-2026/ Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +1000 Getting paid From 1 October 2026 you can't add a surcharge when someone pays you by card. Visa, Mastercard, eftpos and Amex all end on the same day. If you sell to the public and never surcharged, this is good news, because the fees behind personal cards are being cut. If you sell to other businesses on company cards, you lose the surcharge and don't get the fee cut. And if you're the one paying invoices, expect some of your suppliers to stop taking cards altogether. Cards don't have to disappear from invoices, though: a payment service can sit between the two businesses, so the one who wants to use the card is the one who pays for it and the other side simply gets a bank transfer. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/finance-insurance-premium-funding-one-journey/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/finance-insurance-premium-funding-one-journey/ Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +1000 Product Cloudfloat, Financeable and Your Insurance have launched an integrated insurance and premium funding solution for commercial finance brokers: asset finance, an instant insurance quote, digital binding and premium funding in one connected workflow, with information captured once and flowing through every stage. We believe it's Australia's first end-to-end straight-through processing experience. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/the-hidden-cost-of-paying-suppliers-early-and-how-to-avoid-it/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/the-hidden-cost-of-paying-suppliers-early-and-how-to-avoid-it/ Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow Paying a supplier early to secure a discount can leave your working capital trapped when an opportunity or emergency lands weeks later. That timing squeeze catches out plenty of Australian SMEs. Cloudfloat's Split Later feature converts a payment made in full within the past 60 days into instalments over 60 to 120 days for a flat fee, no interest, while your supplier stays paid in full. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-tax-what-you-need-to-know/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-tax-what-you-need-to-know/ Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow The Productivity Commission has proposed reshaping Australia's corporate tax system: cutting the company tax rate to 20% for businesses under $1 billion in revenue, and adding a 5% Net Cashflow Tax that lets you deduct capital expenditure in full immediately. The changes would reward businesses that invest, but add compliance complexity. Cloudfloat's Get Paid and Pay Later help you keep cash flow steady either way. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/why-late-payments-dont-have-to-be-your-inevitable-cost/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/why-late-payments-dont-have-to-be-your-inevitable-cost/ Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Getting paid Late payments have become so normal that 68% of businesses accept them as an inevitable cost, yet they delay hires, equipment upgrades and expansion, and the stress follows you home. Cloudfloat's Get Paid feature breaks the cycle: invoice your customer through Cloudfloat, let them pay in full or pay later on flexible terms, and get paid instantly as soon as they accept. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/the-120-day-advantage/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/the-120-day-advantage/ Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow Running a business means constantly juggling cash coming in and cash going out. You need to pay suppliers to keep operations moving, but customer payments don’t… https://cloudfloat.com/blog/late-payment-crisis-solution/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/late-payment-crisis-solution/ Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Getting paid A recent industry report found 63% of Australian and 62% of New Zealand businesses lose thousands of dollars a month to overdue invoices, some over $10,000, and spend up to 12 working days a year chasing payments. Late payments are a solvable problem: with Cloudfloat you create or upload your invoice, your customer pays upfront or takes extended terms, and you get paid instantly. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/make-your-cashflow-predictable/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/make-your-cashflow-predictable/ Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow Nearly 70% of Australian SMEs experience cash flow problems, driven by three blockers: customers who pay late, suppliers demanding upfront payment, and banks that slow you down. The playbook to make cashflow predictable: forecast 3 to 6 months ahead, speed up receivables and negotiate supplier terms. With Cloudfloat you pay suppliers today and spread repayments over 30/60/90 days, no interest, one transparent fee per invoice. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/thriving-in-uncertain-times/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/thriving-in-uncertain-times/ Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Growth Uncertainty lands on Australian small businesses as tighter cash flow and customers dragging their feet on bills. Five moves keep things steady: get brutal visibility over your cash, talk to suppliers early, protect staff and your own headspace, keep investing in growth, and use tools like Cloudfloat to pay suppliers upfront and repay over 30, 60 or 90 days with one transparent fee and no interest. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/blog-cashflow-true-cost-of-late-invoices/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/blog-cashflow-true-cost-of-late-invoices/ Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Getting paid The true cost of overdue invoices is twofold: they drain your time and your capital. Australian owners spend hundreds of hours a year chasing unpaid invoices, and the resulting cash flow gap can cost tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenue and missed opportunities. Cloudfloat unlocks the money tied up in your invoices, giving you immediate working capital to pay suppliers on time and invest in growth. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/ultimate-guide-working-capital-growth/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/ultimate-guide-working-capital-growth/ Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Funding Working capital is your current assets minus your current liabilities, and actively managed it becomes a growth engine rather than a number on a spreadsheet. That means treating it as a flow, separating good debt from bad debt, and reinvesting freed-up capital in operations, new markets and your supply chain. Cloudfloat's Get Paid feature turns outstanding invoices into instant cash to start the cycle. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/a-business-owners-checklist-for-cashflow-health/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/a-business-owners-checklist-for-cashflow-health/ Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow A weekly cash flow health check takes under 15 minutes and shifts your business from survival mode to proactive growth. The checklist has three steps: check your real-time cash position, compare expected inflows and outflows for the next 2 to 4 weeks, and pick one strategic move. Automation makes each step easier, and Cloudfloat lets you pay suppliers upfront while spreading repayments over 30, 60 or 90 days. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/breaking-free-cash-flow-trap/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/breaking-free-cash-flow-trap/ Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow When your largest client takes 60 days to pay but suppliers want payment in 7, you finance the gap yourself, and that cash flow trap stalls growth for many Australian small businesses. Five practical strategies break it: align payment terms with your cash cycle, build a winter reserve, track cash flow in real time, diversify revenue and automate collections, with Cloudfloat's platform smoothing the rest. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/multi-user-access-on-cloudfloat/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/multi-user-access-on-cloudfloat/ Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Product Multi-User Access on Cloudfloat lets account owners invite trusted team members with role-based access, so payments stop bottlenecking behind one login. Admins keep full control, Standard users upload invoices, draft payments and send Get Paid requests, and Guests such as bookkeepers get view-only access to activity and reports. The result is secure collaboration, operational clarity and a platform that scales with your team. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/navigating-inflation-cash-flow-strategies/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/navigating-inflation-cash-flow-strategies/ Fri, 08 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Growth Inflation squeezes small business margins and cash flow through rising supplier prices, wages and supply chain delays. Six cash flow strategies build resilience: adjust pricing strategically, focus on high-margin offers, speed up receivables with smarter invoicing, unlock working capital with cash flow loans, audit expenses, and watch cash flow daily. Cloudfloat helps by paying suppliers now while you repay over 30 to 90 days. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/requirements-for-business-loan/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/requirements-for-business-loan/ Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Funding The main requirements for a business loan from a traditional lender are one to two years of trading history, 12 to 24 months of financial records, a credit score of 650 or more, collateral and a business plan. Preparing these documents early lifts your approval chances. Cloudfloat works differently: no collateral, open from day one, records synced via Xero and same-day funding for approved users. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/how-do-business-loans-work/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/how-do-business-loans-work/ Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Funding Business loans let a company borrow from a bank or fintech platform and repay the principal plus interest over a set period. Traditional applications demand months of financial records and approval can take two to six weeks, so it pays to understand the loan types, eligibility factors and trade-offs first. Cloudfloat funds invoices instantly instead, with 30, 60 or 90 days to repay for a low fixed fee. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/how-to-write-a-business-plan/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/how-to-write-a-business-plan/ Mon, 26 May 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Growth A business plan is a roadmap for your business, setting out goals, strategies, target market, competitive landscape and financial forecasts. Writing one means working step by step through ten core components, from the executive summary to financial projections and a risk assessment. The effort pays off: businesses with a plan grow 30% faster and are twice as likely to secure funding and increase revenue. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/types-of-business-loans/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/types-of-business-loans/ Mon, 19 May 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Funding The main types of business loans in Australia are term loans, short-term loans, lines of credit, invoice financing, equipment loans and merchant cash advances, each with distinct pros, cons and eligibility hurdles. The right fit depends on the loan amount, repayment terms, interest rates and how fast you need the funds. Cloudfloat offers an alternative: pay suppliers now and repay over 30, 60 or 90 days. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/how-to-calculate-business-loan-repayments/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/how-to-calculate-business-loan-repayments/ Fri, 09 May 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Funding Business loan repayments are driven by the amount borrowed, the interest rate, the loan term, fees, repayment frequency, collateral and your credit profile. The standard EMI formula and worked examples show how to calculate the true cost, and a longer term at a lower rate can still cost more overall. Cloudfloat is the alternative: pay suppliers now and repay over 30, 60 or 90 days with no interest. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/asset-financing-guide/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/asset-financing-guide/ Fri, 02 May 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Funding Asset financing lets your business get the equipment, machinery, vehicles or technology it needs without paying upfront, preserving working capital by paying over time. The main types are hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease and asset refinance, each with clear pros and cons. Cloudfloat's Pay Later model pays your invoice now, and you repay over 30, 60 or 90 days for a low fixed fee. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/fintech-platforms-offering-sme-loans/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/fintech-platforms-offering-sme-loans/ Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Funding Fintech platforms are reshaping SME lending in Australia, using real-time data and AI-driven risk assessments to fund businesses in hours rather than the weeks banks take. Cloudfloat offers flexible invoice payment terms of 30 to 90 days with instant approval and low fixed fees, alongside lenders like Prospa, Moula and Lumi. Compare platforms on speed, fee transparency, flexibility and support. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/business-loan-interest-rates/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/business-loan-interest-rates/ Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Funding Business loan interest rates in Australia are shaped by the RBA cash rate, lender margins, your risk profile and the loan term. Typical APRs range from 5% to 12% for secured term loans and 10% to 25% for unsecured, before application, origination and ongoing fees. Compare APR rather than the advertised rate, because it includes fees and shows the true cost. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/best-small-business-loans/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/best-small-business-loans/ Fri, 04 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Funding Small business loans in 2025 range from secured and unsecured bank finance through Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac and NAB to faster alternatives. Choosing well means matching the loan type to the need and comparing lenders on speed, flexibility and transparency. Cloudfloat offers a different path: upload an invoice, get assessed in minutes and take up to 90 days to pay, with a fixed fee instead of compounding interest. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/small-business-financing-options/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/small-business-financing-options/ Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Funding Financing options for small businesses include bank loans, business credit cards, invoice financing, merchant cash advances, venture capital, crowdfunding and government grants, each with distinct pros and cons. The right choice depends on whether you need structured long-term funding or flexible payments. Cloudfloat lets businesses pay suppliers on time and spread the payments over 30, 60 or 90 days. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-analysis/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-analysis/ Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow Cash flow analysis is the process of examining a business's cash inflows and outflows over a specific period to check liquidity, spot shortages early and guide growth decisions. It spans the three types of cash flow, operating, investing and financing, key ratios such as free cash flow, and a six-step method, with Cloudfloat's Buy Now, Pay Later for invoices helping keep liquidity steady. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-and-working-capital/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-and-working-capital/ Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow Cash flow is the movement of money into and out of your business; working capital is the difference between current assets and current liabilities. A business can hold healthy working capital and still face cash shortages when receivables move slowly. Understanding how the two differ and relate, and practical ways to improve each, keeps your finances balanced, with Cloudfloat unlocking instant cash flow when needed. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-problems-and-solutions/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-problems-and-solutions/ Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow Poor cash flow management is one of the leading causes of business failure, but the most common problems have practical fixes. Seven issues catch SMEs out, from late-paying customers and high overheads to poor inventory management and growing faster than reserves allow, and each has a solution, including Cloudfloat's Pay Later Solutions, which pay suppliers upfront while you repay over 30, 60 or 90 days. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-solutions/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-solutions/ Thu, 20 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow Cash flow is the barometer of a company's financial health, and Australian businesses can strengthen it with everyday strategies, an emergency fund, streamlined invoicing, negotiated supplier terms and diversified revenue, plus financing options from business loans and invoice financing to Cloudfloat's Buy Now, Pay Later for Businesses, which pays suppliers upfront while you defer repayment. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/best-cash-flow-management-tools/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/best-cash-flow-management-tools/ Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow Cash flow management tools give businesses real-time visibility of money moving in and out, automate invoicing and bill tracking, and forecast shortfalls before they hit. The top seven for 2025 span Cloudfloat, Float, Pulse, QuickBooks Cash Flow, Xero Cash Flow Manager, PlanGuru and Wave, and the right choice comes down to matching each tool's strengths and costs to your business's size and needs. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-lending/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-lending/ Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Funding Cash flow lending is business finance based on projected cash flow rather than physical assets, so it is typically unsecured and suits businesses with strong revenue but few assets to pledge. Lenders assess revenue consistency, profit margins, outstanding invoices and credit history, and interest rates may be higher than asset-based loans. Cloudfloat offers fast approvals, often within 24 to 48 hours, with low, fixed fees. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/improve-your-cash-flow-tips/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/improve-your-cash-flow-tips/ Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow Cash flow determines your ability to operate day to day, and improving it comes down to 13 proven strategies: invoice promptly, shorten payment terms, offer early payment discounts, build a cash reserve, cut non-essential expenses, negotiate supplier terms and gradually raise prices, among others. Cloudfloat helps by splitting large expenses into manageable instalments over 30, 60 or 90 days to ease the pressure. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/managing-cash-flow-for-small-businesses-guide/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/managing-cash-flow-for-small-businesses-guide/ Tue, 14 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow Cash flow, not profit, determines whether a small business can cover payroll, suppliers and rent, and poor cash flow is one of the main reasons small businesses fail even when profitable on paper. Practices that keep it steady include clear payment terms, a cash reserve, regular forecasting, and flexible payment solutions like Cloudfloat, which splits supplier payments into 30, 60 and 90-day instalments. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/business-line-of-credit/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/business-line-of-credit/ Tue, 07 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +1000 Funding A business line of credit is a revolving loan that lets you borrow up to a set limit, repay and borrow again, with interest charged only on the amount you use. It suits short-term cash flow gaps better than term loans or credit cards, though over-borrowing and variable rates are real risks. Cloudfloat's Pay Later options split invoice payments over 30, 60 or 90 days instead. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-forecast/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-forecast/ Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow A cash flow forecast estimates your future cash inflows and outflows over weeks, months or years, so you can anticipate shortages or surpluses before they arrive. Building one takes seven steps, from defining the time frame and gathering historical data to contingency planning and regular updates. Small businesses should forecast at least 3 to 6 months ahead, with Cloudfloat's flexible invoice payments smoothing the gaps. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-management/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-management/ Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow Cash flow management means tracking, analysing and optimising the money moving into and out of your business so you can cover expenses, invest in growth and handle the unexpected. It starts with understanding operating, investing and financing cash flows, then applying ten practical steps, from prompt invoicing to building a reserve. Cloudfloat helps by splitting invoice payments into instalments over 30, 60 or 90 days. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-projections/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cash-flow-projections/ Wed, 27 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow A cash flow projection estimates the cash moving in and out of your business over a set period so you can predict liquidity and plan ahead. Its components run from opening balance to net cash flow and closing balance, and reliable projections rest on realistic, data-driven assumptions, regular reviews and scenario planning. Cloudfloat adds flexible payment solutions and real-time insights to keep projections on track. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/short-term-business-loan/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/short-term-business-loan/ Thu, 21 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +1000 Funding Short-term business loans deliver quick funding for inventory, payroll or cash flow gaps, with secured and unsecured options, terms from one month to three years and amounts from $5,000 to $500,000 or more. Approval is easier than for traditional loans, but interest rates run higher than long-term options and repayments are frequent. Cloudfloat is the alternative: pay business invoices in instalments over 30, 60 or 90 days. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cloudfloat-wallet/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cloudfloat-wallet/ Fri, 20 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +1000 Product The Cloudfloat Wallet, powered by Cloud AUD technology, brings industry-first cashback to business payments. Your suppliers are paid in real time while you repay in instalments, and paying exclusively through the wallet earns 5% cashback on fees, rising to 10% with recurring auto top-up. Discounted fees, cash rewards and top-ups by card or direct transfer make it a strategic tool, not just a payment method. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/beware-of-invoice-scams-in-2024-and-what-you-need-to-know/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/beware-of-invoice-scams-in-2024-and-what-you-need-to-know/ Wed, 27 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +1000 Getting paid Fraudsters are targeting Australian businesses with invoice scams, from payment redirection via compromised supplier email accounts to domain spoofing, business email compromise and false billing. Since 90% of cyber attacks begin with a phishing email, always verify bank details against previous invoices and confirm any change with the supplier's finance department via their website, not the invoice. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cloudfloat-an-alternative-finance-solution-for-small-businesses/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cloudfloat-an-alternative-finance-solution-for-small-businesses/ Wed, 17 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +1000 Product Bank business loans usually mean collateral, heavy paperwork and a four to six week wait, while alternative lenders move faster but charge higher rates to match their risk. Cloudfloat is a real business loan alternative for small businesses: we pay your suppliers and you pay us back in fixed instalments over time, with no interest charges, no applications and no paying for what you don't use. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/what-is-invoice-financing-is-it-a-real-alternative-for-small-businesses/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/what-is-invoice-financing-is-it-a-real-alternative-for-small-businesses/ Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +1000 Getting paid Invoice financing lets a small business borrow against its own accounts receivables rather than selling invoices to a factor, so you keep control of collections, but if your customer never pays you still owe the financier. Cloudfloat takes that risk on itself instead, extending payment terms to your customer while you get paid straight away. We call it buy now pay later business finance. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/invoice-factoring-for-small-businesses/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/invoice-factoring-for-small-businesses/ Sat, 22 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +1000 Getting paid Invoice factoring means selling your outstanding invoices to a third party for immediate cash, typically an advance of 70% to 85%. It can be expensive, with some businesses foregoing 20% or more of what they're owed, and the factor collects directly from your customers, often under a long-term agreement. Cloudfloat is different: we extend payment terms to your customer, take on the risk ourselves and pay you straight away. https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cashflow-during-covid/ https://cloudfloat.com/blog/cashflow-during-covid/ Wed, 09 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +1000 Cash flow COVID-19 put small business cashflow under strain, with a Deloitte-published survey estimating 85 percent of SMEs would run out of cash within three months if the crisis continued. What helps: extend payables intelligently, expedite receivables and keep your cash position under review. Cloudfloat lets you pay business expenses over time, or add a payment link so you get paid upfront while customers repay in instalments.