What are the fastest ways to get money? Ranked, honestly

When the clock’s running, “fast” is only half the question. The other half is: what will this money cost me next month?

The fastest ways to get money in Australia, roughly in order, are: getting more time on the bill, selling something, a family loan, a Centrelink advance or No Interest Loan if you’re eligible, and then a loan sized to the job. Below is the honest ranking, with the catch attached to each.

What are the fastest ways to get money, ranked?

Rank	Option	How fast	The catch
1	Ask the biller for more time or instalments	Minutes to a day	Doesn’t create cash; only buys time
2	Sell something you don’t need	Hours to days	Rushed sales fetch less
3	Family or friends	Same day	Can strain relationships if terms are vague
4	Centrelink advance payment	Quick if eligible	It’s your own money early; repaid from future payments
5	No Interest Loan (NILs)	Can be quick	For essentials; provider pays the invoice
6	Personal or car loan	Same day to a week	Credit and income checks apply
7	Unsecured business funding	Same day possible for smaller amounts	Needs a trading history and bank statements
8	Property-secured business loan	$20k–$250k possible same day; up to $5m in 24–48 hours	Needs property as security and a clear exit

Notice what isn’t on the list: payday loans and stacked buy now pay later accounts. They’re fast to start, but they belong in a different conversation, which we have in fast cash traps.

Why is asking for more time ranked first?

Because the cheapest money is the money you don’t have to find by tomorrow. If the deadline is a power bill, phone bill, council rates, a fine or a loan repayment, there’s usually a formal path to more breathing room.

Moneysmart’s advice is consistent across bills, fines and rates: contact the provider straight away. Options can include an extension, instalments or Centrepay. Lenders must consider you for hardship help when you ask.

Our page on hardship arrangements walks through exactly what to say. If an extension covers the gap, you may not need to borrow at all — and that’s a great result.

Is selling something or asking family really faster than a loan?

Often, yes. A spare ute, a set of tools, a bike or a gaming console can turn into cash over a weekend. The trade-off is price: the faster you sell, the more you usually leave on the table.

Family help can be the quickest money of all, but it works best with clear terms. A few tips:

• agree the amount, the repayment dates and what happens if you’re late
• put it in a text or email so nobody’s memory gets fuzzy
• don’t borrow more than you’d be comfortable repaying on a bad month
• if it’s actually a gift, say so — that matters for some home loan applications

What free or low-cost help is there if money is tight?

Two options punch well above their weight for people on modest incomes.

Centrelink advance payment. Eligible recipients can get part of their own payment early and repay it from future payments. Moneysmart is clear that it isn’t extra money, so make sure the smaller payments ahead still cover your rent and groceries.

No Interest Loans (NILs). Moneysmart lists amounts up to $2,000 for essentials like car repairs, medical and dental costs, and up to $3,000 for a rental bond or disaster recovery. There’s no credit check and no fees, and the provider pays your invoice directly. You can call the Good Shepherd NILs team on 13 64 57.

If you’re not sure where to start, the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) is free and confidential.

When does a loan become the fastest sensible option?

When the amount is too big for the free options, the bill can’t be delayed, or it’s a business need. That’s where a lender earns its place.

Here’s how to judge it:

• Personal needs — a personal loan or car loan can be quick when your income is easy to verify. We look at every personal enquiry and point you to a realistic option, without promising an amount or a speed.
• Trading businesses — unsecured or cash-flow funding is typically $5,000 to $500,000, sized on turnover and bank statements.
• Business owners with property — residential or commercial property can secure $20,000 to $5,000,000, often faster than a bank.

Bad credit and ATO debt are considered case by case. You can compare timelines on our page about how fast you can get a loan, or try the speed quiz for a quick steer. Find out which route suits you →

Can I combine two fast options?

Yes, and it’s often the smartest play. Stacking a cheap option with a smaller loan shrinks the amount you borrow and the pressure on your budget afterwards.

• Extension plus loan: the biller gives you a fortnight on half the bill, and you only need to fund the rest.
• Sale plus family: the trailer sells for part of the gap and a sibling covers the remainder for a month.
• NILs plus payment plan: the provider pays the mechanic, and the energy retailer spreads the overdue amount.

Use the shortfall calculator to see exactly how much is left once the cheaper pieces are in place.

Which fast option should I choose — and could I qualify for a loan?

Start at the top of the ranking and work down. If a phone call to the biller solves it, brilliant. If you need real money in your account, the question becomes which lender can move quickest on your particular facts.

That’s what our enquiry is for. It takes about 60 seconds, there’s no credit check at that first stage, and a real person reads it and calls you back. We don’t scatter your details across the market, so you won’t spend the afternoon dodging calls from strangers. Answer accurately — the true amount, the true deadline, any credit or tax hiccups — and the first option we raise is far more likely to be the right one.

Ready to see where you stand? Check if you qualify in about a minute.