Bonds to help secure and deliver your contracts
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Minimal cash cover required
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Available for simple contracts and multiple projects with different buyers
Tailored facilities to meet your contract security needs
Large and international contracts often come with significant contract finance requirements such as advance payment, performance and/or warranty security documents.
Whether you’re delivering on a major export contract, supplying into an Australian export project, or securing guarantees for offshore delivery, our bond facilities are structured to meet your contract security needs.
What types of bonds can we provide?
We can issue a bond document directly to your buyer or provide a guarantee to your bank to support a bank-issued bond.
Advance payment bonds
Secure upfront payments made by your buyer, giving both parties confidence in the transaction.
Performance bonds
Protect your buyer in the event you don’t meet contract terms, helping them to recover losses.
Warranty bonds
Provide post-completion protection for your buyer if warranty obligations aren’t met.
Bid bonds
Assist with tendering for overseas contracts and meet requirements for the provision of a bid bond.
US surety bonds
Comply with US government or buyer requirements through our partner, Liberty Mutual Insurance.
Does your business meet our criteria?
You may be eligible if:
- you have an Australian Company Number (ACN)
- you've been trading for at least 2 years
- your annual turnover is over $250,000
- you are exporting, part of a supply chain or investing overseas.
What options are available for your business?
| Small Business Starter Bond | Business Finance Bond Facility | |
| Facility size | A$20,000 - A$500,000 | A$20,000 - A$70,000,000 |
| Indicative Business Turnover* | A$250,000 - A$10,000,000 | A10,000,000+ |
| Types of bonds available |
Advance payment bonds Performance bonds Warranty bonds Bid bonds |
Advance payment bonds Performance bonds Warranty bonds Bid bonds US surety bonds |
| Currency | AUD, USD, EUR | AUD, USD, EUR, GBP |
| Establishment fee | $1,000 or 1% of bond amount (whichever is greater) | Establishment fee confirmed during the application process |
| Supportable contracts | Single contract with small contract security requirements | Single large or multiple contracts and complex security requirements |
| How to apply | Contact us to apply | |
* The stated turnover amounts are indicative only and are not mandatory eligibility requirements. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by case basis based on contract security requirements.
Why choose Export Finance Australia?
Contract security tailored to deal size
Bonds from $20,000 and above – we support a wide range of export-related contract values.
Lower upfront cash requirements
We typically require less upfront cash or collateral than a bank may, helping you preserve working capital.
Flexibility across buyers and projects
Manage multiple projects and buyers through a single bond facility.
Confidence to grow internationally
We support businesses operating in complex and emerging markets where local buyers require strong bond backing.
Talk to us to see how we could help your business
Fill out the form below and one of our experts will get in touch,
or call us directly on 1800 093 724
FAQs
We assess each application on a case-by-case basis. If you're unsure, get in touch to discuss your specific circumstances.
Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you’re unsure whether your business qualifies, we encourage you to get in touch to discuss your specific circumstances.
Bond facilities start from $20,000. The facility amount will depend on your contract value, security requirements and capacity to deliver.
Small Business Starter Bonds: AUD, USD, EUR
Business Finance Bond Facility: AUD, USD, EUR, GBP
We require director guarantees and assess whether general security is required case by case. In some cases, a cash cover or on-demand bank guarantee may also be required.
- Application fee:
- Small Business Starter Bond: $1,000 of 1% of the bond facility (whichever is greater)
- Business Finance Bond Facility: We'll advise you of the Establishment Fee and any other fees relevant to your Facility during the application process.
- Bond facility interest rate fees apply and are provided at the time of application based on requirements
- Security and legal requirements costs to be provided at the time of application based on requirements
- Other fees may apply, including documentation and utilisation fees
Get in touch so we can discuss your specific contract requirements.
Not currently. Our team will guide you through the process based on your contract and bonding requirements.
Step 1 – A contract is secured
Once you’ve signed or are negotiating an export or export-related contract requiring a bond – get in touch with our team.
Step 2 – You apply for a bond
We assess your contract and business to tailor a bond facility.
Step 3 – Assessment and approval
You provide agreed security. If approved, we issue the bond or guarantee.
Step 4 – Bond is issued
Either we issue the bond directly to your buyer, or your bank issues the bond backed by our guarantee.
While we aim to establish a Bond Facility within 4 weeks from the date we receive all the necessary documentation, this time frame is subject to contract complexity and buyer negotiations.
Yes, you may be eligible if you are part of an export supply chain or plan to export soon.