Trade & import · export finance
Cashflow support for Australian exporters.
Pre-shipment funding to fulfil large orders, post-shipment funding to bridge customer payment delays, government-backed support for emerging exporters. Australia has unusually well-supported export finance through Export Finance Australia (EFA).
What it is, when it fits
Plain English, with the trade-offs.
Export finance funds the cashflow cycle for Australian exporters: pre-shipment finance for the production phase before goods ship, post-shipment finance for the gap between shipping and customer payment. Australia has unusually strong government-backed export support through Export Finance Australia (EFA), the federal export credit agency, which provides direct lending, guarantees, and bonds for Australian exporters who can't fully service through commercial lenders. Commercial export finance dominates the larger end of the market: NAB Trade, CommBank, ANZ, Westpac, and HSBC all have dedicated export trade desks. Pricing is BBSY-linked (BBSY + 1.5% to 4%) for commercial export finance; EFA pricing is competitive with commercial for eligible deals. Documentary instruments (letters of credit, documentary collections) often sit alongside export finance facilities. Currency risk is usually managed through the bank's trade desk via FX forwards or other hedging.
Manufacturer at a CNC machine in an Australian factory.
Typical scenarios
Agricultural exporter funding production
Why: Large international order requires pre-funding production.
Outcome: EFA-backed pre-shipment facility plus commercial post-shipment finance.
Manufacturer scaling for Asian market
Why: Sustained export growth requiring ongoing working capital.
Outcome: Bank export trade desk facility, BBSY-linked, currency-hedged.
Services exporter (architecture, engineering)
Why: Project-based services exports with milestone payment terms.
Outcome: Project-specific facility aligned with milestone structure, EFA bond support where required.
Food and beverage exporter
Why: Growing food exports, lumpy international order pattern.
Outcome: Revolving export facility, drawn per shipment, repaid on customer settlement.
Lenders for this product
Who we work with.
- Export Finance Australia
- NAB Trade
- CommBank Trade
- ANZ Trade
- Westpac Trade
- HSBC Australia
Lender accreditation varies; not every lender is available for every deal. We pick from the panel based on your specific situation.
How it works
From brief to settlement.
- 01
Export profile review
We review export volume, country mix, customer terms, and currency exposure to determine whether EFA, commercial, or hybrid structure fits.
- 02
Bank trade desk introduction
For most established exporters, a major-bank trade desk is the right fit. EFA engagement runs in parallel where the deal warrants.
- 03
Documentation and onboarding
Trade-finance documentation is heavier than generic working capital. Typical timeline 4 to 8 weeks for ongoing facilities; faster for single-shipment.
- 04
First shipment and review
Facility goes live, drawn against shipments per the agreed structure. We support facility-level renegotiation as export volume scales.
Indicative pricing & terms
Ranges, not promises.
Rate range
BBSY + 1.5 to 4%
Loan size
$250K to $50M+
Term
30 to 180 day shipment terms
Security
Goods, receivables, sometimes EFA guarantees
Indicative only; specific pricing depends on lender, security, and your business profile.
Frequently asked
Honest answers, plain English.
EFA vs commercial export finance?
EFA fills market failures: deals commercial lenders won't fully fund (emerging exporters, higher-risk countries, complex structures). EFA can lend directly, guarantee a commercial lender, or issue bonds. For mainstream export deals, commercial lenders are usually faster and cheaper; EFA shines on deals at the edge of commercial appetite.
Eligible export categories?
EFA supports goods, services, and projects with substantial Australian content. Specifics on country, industry, and minimum content thresholds change; we coordinate eligibility checks before recommending EFA over commercial.
Pre-shipment vs post-shipment?
Pre-shipment funds production (raw materials, labour, factory time) before goods ship. Post-shipment funds the period between shipping and customer payment. Most exporters need both, often packaged together.
Currency hedging integration?
Bank trade desks usually offer FX forwards, options, or other hedging instruments alongside the export finance facility. Coordinated currency-and-finance is standard; running them separately can leave material risk unhedged.
Documentary credits?
Letters of credit and documentary collections often sit alongside export finance, particularly for new buyer relationships or higher-risk jurisdictions. The same bank usually handles both.
Export credit insurance integration?
Trade credit insurance (Atradius, Coface, Euler Hermes) covers customer non-payment risk and is often a precondition for post-shipment finance. EFA provides credit insurance directly for some markets.
Related products
If this isn't quite the fit.
Next step
Twenty minutes, no obligation.
Tell us the shape of the deal and the timing. We'll send a lender shortlist for export finance or, if it isn't the right fit, an honest signal of what is.