Thinktank
Non-bank lenderSydney
- What they fund
- Commercial propertyFirst mortgageSecured loans
- Website
- thinktank.net.au
- In a sentence
- Non-bank specialist in small-balance commercial property loans.
Quick answer
Thinktank is an Australian non-bank property lender founded in 2006. It started in commercial lending, added SMSF loans in 2013, residential in 2018 and short-term private lending in 2024, and trade press reports it lends only through brokers. Its loans are secured by property and funded through capital markets rather than deposits. Confirm current limits and criteria with a broker, as reported figures vary.
Key points
- Non-bank, property-secured lender that trade press says works only through accredited brokers
- Commercial lending is the original core, with SMSF, residential and short-term private loans added since
- Reported short-term terms run from three months to three years, but published limits differ between sources
- Funded through capital markets, so product settings can change as funding conditions move
- Lender type
- Non-bank property lender
- Channel
- Brokers (per trade press)
- Security
- Property
- Founded
- 2006
Most business owners never deal with Thinktank directly, and that is the first thing worth knowing. It is a non-bank property lender that, according to trade press, only accepts loans through accredited brokers. You meet it through someone else, which changes how you prepare.
Its website blocks automated access, so this profile relies on its public pages as surfaced in search results and on trade coverage from Mortgage Professional Australia and Broker News. Where those sources disagree, we say so. This is a picture as at October 2026, not a rate sheet.
What is Thinktank?
Thinktank was founded in 2006 and began with commercial property loans. It added SMSF lending in 2013, residential loans in 2018 and private, short-term lending in 2024. Rather than taking deposits, it funds loans through capital markets, and trade press says it also issues property-secured bonds to investors.
Why does funding source matter to you? A lender that borrows wholesale adjusts its settings when markets move. That is normal for non-banks, and it is why our bank vs non-bank lender comparison suggests asking about policy changes before a deal gets tight.
Which products are reported?
| Area | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Commercial | Loans against commercial property; trade press has cited limits up to $8m for commercial and commercial SMSF |
| Short-term private | Terms from three months to three years; reported limits of $5m, later $7m, depending on the article |
| Residual stock | For developers with completed projects of around five to 35 units |
| SMSF and residential | Offered alongside the commercial range |
The differing limits in the trade reports reflect product updates over time, so don’t rely on any of them. Your broker will have the current policy.
For more on how the loan types work, read our guides to first mortgage business loans, SMSF commercial property loans and residual stock loans.
Who does Thinktank suit?
- Investors and owner-occupiers buying commercial property who want a non-bank alternative to a bank’s tighter credit policy.
- SMSF trustees buying business premises.
- Developers with unsold completed stock needing time to sell without a hurried discount.
- Borrowers who need a short-term property-secured loan while they refinance or sell.
It suits less well if you have no property, want an unsecured loan, or prefer to deal with a lender in person without a broker in between.
A fair point on banks: if a bank will lend on your property at a clean full-doc assessment, it is often the cheapest route. A non-bank earns its place when speed, structure or policy fit are the problem.
Wondering which route fits your deal? Send us the outline and a person will give you a straight view.
An illustration: a short-term loan that bridges a sale
Take a manufacturer that owns its factory, worth $2m with $600k owing. It has agreed to buy a larger site but the sale of the old one is three months from settling. A short-term loan secured on the factory can cover the deposit and the gap, and the exit is simple: repay from the sale proceeds.
The deal stands or falls on the exit and the cost in dollars. If the sale slips, extension fees and extra interest can erode the benefit, so a sensible broker builds in a buffer term. Our bridging finance guide sets out how lenders judge an exit.
What should you ask a broker about Thinktank?
- What is the maximum loan-to-value ratio for this specific property type?
- Is interest capitalised or paid monthly?
- What are the establishment, valuation, legal and exit fees in dollars?
- What happens if the term ends before I can refinance or sell?
- Is a personal guarantee needed from directors?
Before talking to anyone, use our LVR calculator so you know how much equity you actually have to work with.
If Thinktank isn’t the right fit
- Other non-bank first mortgage lenders: see RedZed and La Trobe Financial.
- A shortfall above the first mortgage: a second mortgage.
- A tight settlement: bridging finance or a caveat loan.
- Dealing with a broker or going direct: our broker vs direct lender page sets out the trade-offs.
Ready to see how your deal looks?
Property loans are large, and how they are structured matters as much as who writes them. Let’s give yours a proper look.
The form is quick, roughly a minute, and enquiring leaves your credit file alone. We keep your details in-house instead of blasting them to a list of lenders, and someone reads your situation before calling. Precise property and loan figures lead to a better first suggestion.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply to Thinktank directly?
Trade press describes Thinktank as a broker-only lender, so you would normally go through an accredited broker. Check its website for the current position before you start.
What does Thinktank lend against?
Property. Reports describe commercial, SMSF commercial, residential and short-term private loans secured against residential, commercial or specialised property.
How long are Thinktank's short-term loans?
Trade press reports terms from three months to three years on its short-term private lending. Treat that as a guide and confirm the term for your deal.
Is Thinktank cheaper than a private lender?
Trade coverage positions its private lending as an alternative to traditional private lenders that charge heavy establishment and extension fees. Compare total dollar cost on actual quotes rather than assuming.
What if Thinktank declines my loan?
Check whether the issue is the property, the borrower or the timeframe. Other non-bank first-mortgage lenders, a second mortgage or a private lender may suit, and you can ask us to look at it with no credit check to enquire.