In the dynamic world of Australian SMEs, bills, competitors, and opportunities don't wait, but cash flow often does.

This slow, unpredictable rhythm of cash flow is a major concern for small businesses. A recent survey shows nearly 70% of Australian SMEs experience cash flow problems, which can be devastating to their growth and stability.

The top 3 cash flow blockers for Australian SMEs are:

1️⃣ Customers Who Pay Late

Australian businesses wait 30–60 days on average for invoices to be paid. That’s two months of covering wages, rent, and supplier bills with no money coming in. The knock-on effect? Lost time chasing invoices and stalled growth.

2️⃣ Suppliers Demanding Upfront Payment

Suppliers want certainty. In industries like construction, retail, and hospitality, upfront or on-delivery payments are increasingly common. This shifts the burden to SMEs, forcing them to dip into working capital or credit cards to keep supply chains moving.

3️⃣ Banks Slowing You Down

Banks are rarely designed around the needs of SMEs. From complex applications to hidden fees and high interest rates, traditional finance often creates more friction than freedom. By the time approval comes through, the opportunity may already be gone.

Cash Flow Control Playbook

Here is your cash flow playbook, designed to help you take control and build financial resilience for your business.

Step 1: Get in the Game with Proactive Forecasting

Don't just react to your finances, anticipate them. The first step in any winning strategy is to understand your playing field. Create a rolling cash flow forecast for the next 3 to 6 months. This simple document helps you visualise when cash is coming in and when it's going out. Spotting potential shortfalls and surpluses well in advance gives you the power to make strategic moves, not reactive ones.

Step 2: Master Your Attack, Speed Up Your Receivables

Every day a payment is late is a day your business is under financial pressure. To speed up payments and keep the ball rolling in your favour, execute these plays:

• The Immediate Invoice Tactic: Don't wait until the end of the week. Invoice a client the moment a job is completed or a product is shipped.

• The Easy Pay Play: Include multiple payment options on your invoices, such as direct bank transfer, credit card, and online gateways. The easier it is for your clients to pay, the faster they will.

• The Early Bird Incentive: Offer a small early payment discount (e.g., a 2% discount for payment within 10 days). It's a small price to pay for fast, predictable cash.

• The Follow-Up Drill: Implement a polite but firm follow-up process for overdue invoices. The longer you wait, the less likely you are to get paid.

Step 3: Sharpen Your Defence, Negotiate and Optimise

Your relationship with suppliers is a two-way street. Play a strong defence by negotiating smarter and managing your expenses with an iron fist.

• The Longer Terms Play: If you have a good relationship, negotiate for extended payment terms (e.g., 60 days instead of 30). This keeps your money in your account for longer.

• The Expense Audit: Regularly review and challenge your expenses. Do you really need all that software? Is there a cheaper alternative for a key service?

• The Lean Inventory Strategy: Tied-up capital in excess stock is cash on the bench. Implement a lean inventory system to only hold what you need, when you need it.

By implementing these strategies, you'll gain the control you need to run your business with confidence.

💡 Make Cashflow Predictable

Cashflow isn’t just about survival, it’s about growth. Predictable cashflow means you can:

• Reinvest in new stock or equipment.

• Seize time-sensitive opportunities.

• Protect supplier relationships.

• Reduce the mental load of financial uncertainty.

With Cloudfloat, you pay suppliers today while spreading repayments over 30/60/90 days. There’s no interest and just one transparent fee per invoice. It’s a smarter, faster way to unlock the cashflow freedom SMEs need without the traps of traditional finance.

Why This Matters Now

• Rising costs: With fuel, utilities, and wages climbing, every dollar of working capital counts.

• Interest rates: With cashflow loans and overdrafts charging eye-watering rates, SMEs are actively searching for fairer alternatives.

• Growth opportunities: From EOFY tax planning to the Christmas retail surge, the businesses that win are the ones with the financial headroom to act decisively.

The Bottom Line

Cashflow unpredictability is the #1 issue holding Australian SMEs back. But it doesn’t have to be. By removing the blockers, late customers, upfront suppliers, and slow banks, you create the breathing space to grow on your terms.

👉 Cloudfloat is helping Australian SMEs make cashflow predictable.
Because in business, waiting is not an option.