Harvest & Farm Contractors: The 30-Day Pre-Season Funding Checklist (2026)
Pre-season funding plan for harvest and farm contractors | Switchboard Finance
🌾 ag crossover · contractors · pre-season ·
Business Owners Finance Hub · 2026
Pre-season cashflow pain is predictable: repairs land, tyres land, parts land… then fuel hits before the first big invoice clears. This is the simple plan to be “approval-ready” before the season window opens.
Two money paths usually cover 90% of contractor problems: Low Doc Asset Finance for machinery/vehicles, and Working Capital Loans for timing gaps. For the full cashflow system, see Business Cashflow System (WCL + LOC + Invoice).
1) The 30-day timing plan (don’t leave it to “next week”)
Fast approvals happen when you line up three things early: proof you trade, proof the spend is real, and a clean timing story. That’s it.
If you start inside the last 7–10 days before season, the consequence is usually delays: missing docs, rushed quotes, and lender back-and-forth. Use this map instead.
| When | What you do | What you gather | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day -30 to -21 | List your pre-season spend + pick the right funding lane | 2–3 supplier estimates (repairs/tyres/parts), simple season forecast | Stops “wrong product” approvals that don’t fit the problem |
| Day -20 to -14 | Build an approval-ready pack | Proof of trade: ABN details + trading evidence | Lenders can move without asking “what’s the business?” |
| Day -13 to -7 | Clean up cashflow noise | 3 months Bank Statements, note any one-offs | Red flags explained upfront = fewer conditions |
| Day -6 to -1 | Submit while vendors still have stock/time | Final invoices/quotes, ID, repayments plan | Protects your work window and supplier lead times |
2) The pre-season funding checklist (repairs, tyres, parts, fuel buffer)
Your checklist should separate “asset spend” from “season buffer”. Machinery upgrades and major components usually fit Asset Finance; fuel and timing gaps are usually Working Capital.
If you bundle everything into one messy request, the consequence is valuation issues, unclear use of funds, and slower decisions. Keep it clean.
- Repairs & major servicing: engine/drive-train work, hydraulic leaks, harvest header servicing.
- Tyres & undercarriage: tyres, tracks, rollers (anything that stops downtime mid-season).
- Parts & consumables: belts, filters, blades, wear parts, hoses.
- Fuel buffer: set a “first 2–4 weeks” buffer so you’re not funding diesel with panic overdrafts.
- Subcontractor + labour gap: wages and casual spikes before invoices land.
- Insurance/rego compliance: keep it current so settlement doesn’t stall.
If you’re unsure what lenders will fund (and what slows them down), read: 7 Business Costs You Can Finance.
3) Bank statement red flags (what lenders notice fast)
Lenders read contractor statements like a story: seasonality, spikes, and whether the account is controlled. They’re not judging your industry — they’re judging predictability.
If these appear without an explanation, the consequence is usually “conditions” (more documents) or reduced limits. Flag them before the lender flags them.
- Repeated dishonours/overlimit fees: shows cashflow is unmanaged, not seasonal.
- ATO payment plans bouncing around: explain what changed and how you’re stabilising.
- Gambling-like transactions: even small frequent patterns can trigger risk questions.
- Large cash withdrawals: explain purpose (e.g., farmhands, remote suppliers) and frequency.
- Transfers to personal accounts with no pattern: label owner drawings clearly.
- One-off big expenses with no invoice: attach proof so it doesn’t look like “unknown leakage”.
4) The “approval-ready” pack (what speeds decisions)
“Approval-ready” means the lender doesn’t need to guess. You show the spend, the timing, and how repayments fit the season.
If you skip this, the consequence is delay-by-questions: “Can you send X?” becomes three extra emails and a lost week. Use the pack below.
- 1-page timing note + simple Cash Flow Forecast (first 30–60 days).
- Supplier invoices/quotes for repairs/tyres/parts (itemised, dated).
- Latest BAS if you have it (or trading evidence if not).
- If buying used machinery, run a PPSR Check early.
- Short note on how you meet Approval Criteria (what you do, how you get paid, seasonality).
For speed mechanics (and what lenders class as “fast”), read: Fast-Track Asset Finance. For common slow-downs, read: Equipment Finance Application Mistakes.
Harvest & farm contractors: pre-season funding is won in the 30 days before you need it. Separate “asset spend” from “season buffer”, remove statement red flags, and submit an approval-ready pack early.
Start with the money paths: Low Doc Asset Finance (machinery/vehicles) and Working Capital Loans (timing gaps). For the full cashflow trio view, use: Business Loans.
FAQ
Ideally 30+ days out. It gives time to gather invoices/quotes, explain statement quirks, and align repayments to your season. Applying inside the last week usually increases conditions and delays.
Often, yes — depending on the lender and your evidence set. A Low Doc approach usually works best when the story is clean: trading evidence, clear use of funds, and a simple season plan.
Usually, no. Treat major repairs/upgrades like asset spend and treat fuel/timing like working capital. Splitting keeps valuations cleaner and makes repayments match the problem you’re solving.
Provide itemised quotes/invoices and a 1-page timing note that explains seasonality. It turns “questions” into a simple tick-box decision.
Start at ato.gov.au for official guidance on records and fuel-related tax items. It helps you keep documentation clean, which also reduces lender follow-up questions.
Disclaimer: This content is general information only and isn’t financial, legal, or tax advice.
