Why Thinktank can be useful
Thinktank may be worth comparing if you’re self-employed and need a different way to show your income. It also offers commercial and SMSF loans, which have their own fees and property rules.
For a home loan, we’ll first check whether a mainstream lender can use your income. If Thinktank solves a problem the bank can’t, we’ll compare what that flexibility costs over the time you expect to keep the loan.
Thinktank also backs Connective Advance, which sits within the Connective Lending range. Our Connective Home Loans review explains that relationship. We’ll check the product terms and whether we can arrange it for you. The SMSF rules below apply either way.
- 01 / Commercial
Longer commercial terms
Eligible commercial loans can run for up to 30 years, which may reduce repayments compared with a shorter commercial term.
- 02 / Self-employed
More ways to show your income
Full Doc, Mid Doc, Quick Doc and Lease Doc give some business owners more ways to show what they earn.
- 03 / SMSF
Commercial property inside super
Thinktank can consider eligible commercial property bought through an SMSF, provided the property and fund structure meet the rules.
Buying your home or an investment property
For your own home or an investment property held outside super, Thinktank offers loans from $100k to $5m, terms up to 30 years and lending up to 80% of the property value. The limit falls to 75% above $2.5m. Full Doc and Mid Doc options are available.
With Mid Doc, you declare your income and provide 1 type of record to back it up. Depending on your application, Thinktank may accept an accountant’s letter, business activity statements (BAS) or business trading statements. Quick Doc and Lease Doc are for commercial loans.
If your variable home loan qualifies, you can have an offset without an extra offset fee. It’s part of the loan account, so you’ll still need everyday banking elsewhere. Money in the offset reduces interest, but your minimum principal and interest repayment stays the same.
Residential costs to compare with a bank quote
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| Cost | What you pay |
|---|---|
| Standard residential valuation | $385 including GST, unless your loan offer says otherwise |
| Establishment and settlement | We’ll get these in your home-loan quote; the commercial fees below don’t apply |
| Monthly fee (lower upfront fee option) | $20 for 1 loan; $10 per loan if the offer has several |
| Redraw | Free in the online portal; otherwise $25 per redraw unless the offer differs |
- What you pay
- $385 including GST, unless your loan offer says otherwise
- What you pay
- We’ll get these in your home-loan quote; the commercial fees below don’t apply
- What you pay
- $20 for 1 loan; $10 per loan if the offer has several
- What you pay
- Free in the online portal; otherwise $25 per redraw unless the offer differs
Thinktank’s published fee schedule sets out these charges. We’ll compare the quote over the time you expect to keep the loan: a smaller establishment fee can be offset by monthly fees.
SMSF residential borrowing changed on 10 August 2026
Since 10 August 2026, an SMSF generally can’t take out a new loan to buy residential property. Existing residential loans and some refinances may still be allowed. A binding purchase arrangement made before that date may fall under transitional rules, but the fund's adviser and solicitor need to confirm it.
Eligible commercial property used in a business is treated differently. Thinktank can still consider these loans when the property, SMSF and borrowing structure meet the rules.
What the August 2026 change means
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| SMSF situation | Broad position | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| New residential purchase using a new loan | Generally not permitted from 10 August 2026 | Don’t rely on older lender wording or arrange the contract before getting legal and tax advice |
| Existing residential SMSF loan | Existing arrangements are preserved under the law | Check whether the current loan and structure remain compliant |
| Refinancing existing residential SMSF debt | A qualifying refinance may still be allowed | Confirm both the legal position and whether the proposed lender accepts the refinance |
| Binding acquisition arrangement made before 10 August 2026 | A transitional exception may apply | Have the documents reviewed before assuming the exception applies |
| Commercial business real property | Borrowing can remain possible | Confirm the property use, fund structure and lender rules before signing |
- Broad position
- Generally not permitted from 10 August 2026
- What to do
- Don’t rely on older lender wording or arrange the contract before getting legal and tax advice
- Broad position
- Existing arrangements are preserved under the law
- What to do
- Check whether the current loan and structure remain compliant
- Broad position
- A qualifying refinance may still be allowed
- What to do
- Confirm both the legal position and whether the proposed lender accepts the refinance
- Broad position
- A transitional exception may apply
- What to do
- Have the documents reviewed before assuming the exception applies
- Broad position
- Borrowing can remain possible
- What to do
- Confirm the property use, fund structure and lender rules before signing
How Thinktank commercial SMSF loans work
Thinktank's current public range includes commercial SMSF loans from $100k to $10m. It lists terms of up to 30 years for principal and interest repayments, or up to 5 years interest only, with lending up to 80% of the property value for an eligible deal.
The amount your fund can borrow depends on the property, postcode, valuation, tenant and income available to cover repayments. Thinktank also looks at the members’ circumstances and contributions.
Commercial SMSF points to check
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| Item | Thinktank position | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Trustees | Thinktank says it lends to SMSFs with corporate trustees | The fund trustee and separate property trustee company need to be set up correctly |
| Loan term | Up to 30 years principal and interest or 5 years interest only | A longer term can lower the scheduled repayment, but usually increases total interest |
| Cash left in your fund after settlement | No set liquidity requirement is listed on its public product page | The SMSF still needs a sensible cash buffer and must meet its legal obligations |
| Annual reviews | No annual reviews or revaluations are listed for the standard product | That can reduce ongoing administration compared with a loan that’s reviewed every year |
| Covering the repayments | Rent, contributions and other accepted fund income are tested against expenses and repayments | Your fund needs enough income to cover repayments and expenses as well as the deposit |
- Thinktank position
- Thinktank says it lends to SMSFs with corporate trustees
- Why it matters
- The fund trustee and separate property trustee company need to be set up correctly
- Thinktank position
- Up to 30 years principal and interest or 5 years interest only
- Why it matters
- A longer term can lower the scheduled repayment, but usually increases total interest
- Thinktank position
- No set liquidity requirement is listed on its public product page
- Why it matters
- The SMSF still needs a sensible cash buffer and must meet its legal obligations
- Thinktank position
- No annual reviews or revaluations are listed for the standard product
- Why it matters
- That can reduce ongoing administration compared with a loan that’s reviewed every year
- Thinktank position
- Rent, contributions and other accepted fund income are tested against expenses and repayments
- Why it matters
- Your fund needs enough income to cover repayments and expenses as well as the deposit
If you’re still deciding whether the property belongs inside super, start with independent SMSF advice. Our commercial property loan guide explains deposits, repayments and the property checks lenders make.
How Thinktank looks at self-employed income
If your tax returns don’t show what your business earns now, Thinktank may accept other ways to show your income. We’ll check which documents fit the loan you need and how you’ll cover the repayments.
Thinktank commercial income options
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| Option | What may support the application | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Full Doc | Generally 2 years of business tax returns and financial statements | Thinktank checks the financials alongside how your business is trading now |
| Mid Doc | Your income declaration plus an accepted record: an accountant’s letter, 2 BAS, 6 months of trading statements, a recent tax return and tax assessment, or recent financial statements | The records must back up the income you declare |
| Quick Doc | You declare your income for a commercial loan that qualifies | Lower borrowing limits apply; Thinktank still checks your business, credit history, property and ability to repay |
| Lease Doc | An arm's-length commercial lease with at least 2 years remaining | The rent, tenant and property still need to support the loan |
- What may support the application
- Generally 2 years of business tax returns and financial statements
- What to check
- Thinktank checks the financials alongside how your business is trading now
- What may support the application
- Your income declaration plus an accepted record: an accountant’s letter, 2 BAS, 6 months of trading statements, a recent tax return and tax assessment, or recent financial statements
- What to check
- The records must back up the income you declare
- What may support the application
- You declare your income for a commercial loan that qualifies
- What to check
- Lower borrowing limits apply; Thinktank still checks your business, credit history, property and ability to repay
- What may support the application
- An arm's-length commercial lease with at least 2 years remaining
- What to check
- The rent, tenant and property still need to support the loan
See our self-employed home-loan guide for the way different lenders can reach different borrowing figures from the same business accounts.
Which Thinktank loan could fit?
Thinktank loan options
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| Loan type | What it’s for | Main thing to check |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Buying or refinancing an owner-occupied or investment commercial property | The property, location, deposit and income evidence |
| Commercial SMSF | Buying eligible commercial property through a complying SMSF | The trustees, property use, rent, contributions and repayments |
| Residential | A standard home or investment loan outside an SMSF | Whether a mainstream lender offers a lower overall cost |
| Private lending | Short-term finance with a clear repayment or sale plan | The rate, fees, term and exit strategy |
- What it’s for
- Buying or refinancing an owner-occupied or investment commercial property
- Main thing to check
- The property, location, deposit and income evidence
- What it’s for
- Buying eligible commercial property through a complying SMSF
- Main thing to check
- The trustees, property use, rent, contributions and repayments
- What it’s for
- A standard home or investment loan outside an SMSF
- Main thing to check
- Whether a mainstream lender offers a lower overall cost
- What it’s for
- Short-term finance with a clear repayment or sale plan
- Main thing to check
- The rate, fees, term and exit strategy
Read our Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme guide for the deposit, eligibility and participating-lender checks.
Rates, fees and the real cost
Your rate depends on the loan, property, income documents and amount you want to borrow. We’ll compare the upfront and exit fees alongside the rate, as these can add a lot to a commercial loan’s cost.
Commercial loan fees
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| Fee | Published amount | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Standard establishment | 0.95% plus GST; minimum $1,100 including GST | $10,450 on a $1m loan; the early-repayment charge below applies |
| Establishment with no early-repayment fee | 1.5% plus GST | $16,500 on a $1m loan; worth comparing if you expect to repay early |
| Legal fee | Greater of $1,000 or 0.10% of the loan limit, plus GST and disbursements | Separate third-party costs can also apply |
| Settlement | $495, GST free | Include it in your settlement budget |
| Discharge | $950, GST free | Legal fees and any other charges are extra |
- Published amount
- 0.95% plus GST; minimum $1,100 including GST
- What it means
- $10,450 on a $1m loan; the early-repayment charge below applies
- Published amount
- 1.5% plus GST
- What it means
- $16,500 on a $1m loan; worth comparing if you expect to repay early
- Published amount
- Greater of $1,000 or 0.10% of the loan limit, plus GST and disbursements
- What it means
- Separate third-party costs can also apply
- Published amount
- $495, GST free
- What it means
- Include it in your settlement budget
- Published amount
- $950, GST free
- What it means
- Legal fees and any other charges are extra
With the standard 0.95% commercial establishment option, repaying principal in the first 3 years normally costs 3 months’ interest on the amount repaid. That falls to 1 month’s interest when the repayment comes from selling the property or using cash. The 1.5% establishment option has no early-repayment fee. A fixed-rate cancellation cost can still apply.
These fees apply to commercial loans. For a home loan or SMSF loan, we’ll get a separate quote covering the setup, ongoing and exit costs.
Will Thinktank accept the property?
Send us the address before you commit. The exclusions below come from the SMSF range we checked. Thinktank's residential, commercial and private products have separate property rules. Location, use and resale market can still rule out a property even when you can afford the loan.
Property restrictions for Thinktank SMSF loans
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| Property or location | Broad position | Why to check early |
|---|---|---|
| Construction or development | Not accepted under the standard SMSF range | Thinktank funds completed property only |
| Vacant land or rural residential | Not accepted under the public SMSF range | The property may be harder to sell, or its rental income less predictable |
| Town with fewer than 10,000 people | Not accepted under the public SMSF range | Location can rule out an otherwise sound property |
| Aged-care facilities, nursing homes or other excluded specialist properties | Not accepted | Purpose-built property can have a narrower resale market |
| Purpose-built NDIS or SDA home | Thinktank doesn’t accept these properties | Government-backed rent doesn’t change this property restriction |
| Service station, church or theatre | Listed as specialised exclusions | Standard commercial lending limits don’t automatically apply |
- Broad position
- Not accepted under the standard SMSF range
- Why to check early
- Thinktank funds completed property only
- Broad position
- Not accepted under the public SMSF range
- Why to check early
- The property may be harder to sell, or its rental income less predictable
- Broad position
- Not accepted under the public SMSF range
- Why to check early
- Location can rule out an otherwise sound property
- Broad position
- Not accepted
- Why to check early
- Purpose-built property can have a narrower resale market
- Broad position
- Thinktank doesn’t accept these properties
- Why to check early
- Government-backed rent doesn’t change this property restriction
- Broad position
- Listed as specialised exclusions
- Why to check early
- Standard commercial lending limits don’t automatically apply
What to check before applying
Before asking you to gather the paperwork, we’ll check the property, who is taking out the loan and the income documents Thinktank will accept. This can help catch property or trust issues before you pay for a valuation or legal work.
When would we compare another lender?
Compare your lender options
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| Your situation | Thinktank may suit when | Another lender may be better when |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial property | The completed property, location and lease fit its rules | You need construction, development or a highly specialised property |
| Commercial SMSF | Your SMSF and the property meet the rules for borrowing to buy business real property | The property or trustees don’t fit, or the fund needs a feature Thinktank doesn’t offer |
| Self-employed | Mid Doc, Quick Doc or Lease Doc accepts the income documents you can provide | Your financials qualify you for a cheaper loan with a mainstream lender |
| Standard home loan | Mid Doc may accept the income records you have | You qualify for a lower-cost mainstream loan with the features you want |
| 5% Deposit Scheme | Thinktank isn’t on the participating-lender list | You want to use the government Scheme |
- Thinktank may suit when
- The completed property, location and lease fit its rules
- Another lender may be better when
- You need construction, development or a highly specialised property
- Thinktank may suit when
- Your SMSF and the property meet the rules for borrowing to buy business real property
- Another lender may be better when
- The property or trustees don’t fit, or the fund needs a feature Thinktank doesn’t offer
- Thinktank may suit when
- Mid Doc, Quick Doc or Lease Doc accepts the income documents you can provide
- Another lender may be better when
- Your financials qualify you for a cheaper loan with a mainstream lender
- Thinktank may suit when
- Mid Doc may accept the income records you have
- Another lender may be better when
- You qualify for a lower-cost mainstream loan with the features you want
- Thinktank may suit when
- Thinktank isn’t on the participating-lender list
- Another lender may be better when
- You want to use the government Scheme
For commercial property, compare La Trobe’s Lite Doc and Lease Doc options, including the rent or business income needed and the cost of leaving early. For a home loan using alternative income documents, compare Brighten. If your tax returns are up to date, AMP may be another option to check before paying for specialist flexibility.
Hunter Galloway lender rating
Thinktank broker score
Thinktank scores well for commercial property, commercial SMSF lending and alternative income documents. Its property restrictions, specialist fees and lack of everyday banking make it less suitable for a straightforward home loan.
6.8/10
Useful specialist, limited everyday fit
Our rating across 6 categories
Score breakdown
Each category is scored out of 10
- Credit policy fitUseful options for commercial property, SMSFs and borrowers using alternative income documents7.5/10
- Borrowing capacityDifferent income documents and longer terms can help, while repayments still need to be affordable7.0/10
- Property acceptanceStandard properties can qualify; construction, vacant land and specialised properties have restrictions6.5/10
- Product and offset featuresUseful commercial and SMSF options, but no everyday banking package7.0/10
- Application speed and certaintyWe can check whether the loan fits early; complex company or trust arrangements need more preparation6.5/10
- Ongoing pricing and serviceNo annual reviews on listed products, balanced against specialist upfront and exit costs6.5/10

Experience and sources
How this guide was checked
Reviewed 11 September 2026 by Nathan Vecchio.
I checked Thinktank's current commercial, residential and SMSF product pages, its current broker policy and fee information, the commercial document checklist and the August 2026 SMSF law change.
The commercial fee examples include GST where stated.
Joshua has worked in mortgage broking since 2011 and holds Diploma and Certificate IV qualifications in finance and mortgage broking. See Joshua's experience and qualifications.
Official lender and government sources
- Thinktank broker policy and fee information checked for this review
- Thinktank customer loan overview
- Thinktank commercial loan solutions
- Thinktank SMSF products
- Thinktank commercial loan checklist
- Treasury Laws Amendment Act 2026
- ATO self-managed super funds (SMSF) guidance, checked 11 September 2026
- Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme participating lenders
- Thinktank residential range and loan limits
- Thinktank offset facility FAQ
- Thinktank commercial product and fee guide, 6 March 2026
- Thinktank schedule of fees, effective 1 September 2026
Thinktank can change its policy, products, rates and fees. We confirm the current position before recommending a lender or submitting an application.
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More help with your property loan
Commercial property loans
Understand deposits, repayments and commercial property checks.
Read guideSelf-employed home loans
Compare income evidence and lender methods.
Read guideInvestment loans
Compare lending for a residential investment.
Read guide5% Deposit Scheme
Check eligibility and participating lenders.
Read guideAMP Home Loan Review
Compare another lender and its SMSF position.
Read guideFirstmac Home Loan Review
Compare another non-bank lender.
Read guide
Straight answers
Thinktank home-loan FAQs
How are we paid?
If we arrange your loan, the lender may pay us commission. The amount can vary between lenders and products. We disclose how we’re paid and any fee you would pay before you proceed.
We compare the loans that fit your circumstances, including their rates, fees and features. We must act in your best interests when recommending one.
Our Brisbane mortgage brokers can compare Thinktank with other lenders based on your income, deposit and plans.
Not sure whether Thinktank suits you?
We compare Thinktank with more than 30 lenders and show you which options fit your income, property and loan purpose before you apply.
or call 1300 088 065
Hunter Galloway Finance Pty Ltd is Credit Representative 476903, authorised under Australian Credit Licence 389328.


