If you're looking to finance a construction project, finding the right private lender and getting the right advice is essential to the success of your project.
Using a private lender for a property development or construction loan offers several advantages, especially for developers or builders who may face challenges accessing traditional financing.
Private Lenders Brisbane: Construction & Development Funding That Moves at Project Speed
If you’re searching for private lenders in Brisbane, it usually means timing, structure, or project complexity matters. Private (non-bank) lending can be a practical fit for construction and property development scenarios where bank policy is slow, overly rigid, or doesn’t reflect the realities of a build program.
At Assured Management, we focus on first mortgage construction and development finance across Brisbane and greater South East Queensland. Our approach is commercial and project-led: we look closely at the asset, the feasibility, and the exit strategy—then structure funding that supports delivery milestones.
When Brisbane Developers Use Private Lending
- Time-sensitive settlements (tight contract dates, delayed bank credit decisions, or urgent refinance requirements)
- Construction funding gaps (progress draw timing, cost-to-complete changes, or staged delivery needs)
- Projects banks don’t like on paper (entity structures, limited trading history, or non-standard development profiles)
- Value-add opportunities where speed and certainty help secure the site or commence works sooner
How Private Construction Lending Works (Simple Overview)
- Scenario review: security property, location, project scope, and your timeframe.
- Project assessment: feasibility, build costs, approvals/DA status, and delivery plan.
- Exit strategy: sales, refinance, retention, or staged exits (clear exits are critical).
- Terms & structure: facility size, conditions precedent, and drawdown framework.
- Funding & monitoring: progress draws aligned to construction milestones.
Private Lender vs Bank for Construction Loans
Private lending is not “better” or “worse” than a bank—it’s different. Banks can be cheaper when you fit policy and can wait. Private lenders can be more flexible and faster when timing and project nuance matter.
| Factor | Private Lenders (Brisbane) | Traditional Banks |
|---|
| Speed & certainty |
Often faster decisioning when the scenario is clear |
Typically slower, more layers and policy checks |
| Assessment focus |
Security + feasibility + exit strategy |
Policy fit + serviceability + document depth |
| Flexibility |
More flexible around structure and project nuance |
Less flexible; exceptions can be difficult |
| Cost |
Often higher pricing due to speed/flexibility |
Often lower pricing when you qualify |
What We Typically Need to Assess a Brisbane Construction Loan
- Security details: property type, location, current value, and proposed end value
- Project documents: approvals/DA (where relevant), plans/specs, build contract or QS inputs
- Feasibility: total development cost, contingencies, timeline, and margins
- Experience: developer/builder capability and track record
- Exit strategy: presales (if applicable), refinance plan, or sales program
Areas We Support Across Brisbane & South East Queensland
We work with developers and builders across Brisbane metro and greater South East Queensland, including the inner city, northside, southside, bayside, and key growth corridors. If your project is in Brisbane or SEQ, we can review the scenario and advise fit for private construction or development funding.
Private Non-Bank Lender
Private lenders are an attractive option for developers who need flexibility, speed, and access to capital for projects that may not meet the rigid criteria of traditional banks.
Assured Management (AML) is a flexible, non-bank lender with the expertise and capacity to work directly with property developers to finish projects in a timely and profitable manner.
Whether you're developing a housing estate, block of units, townhouses or commercial premises, Assured Management can assist with the investment property loan to finance your project.
Some Past Projects We've Funded
Assured Management Limited (AML) has provided property development loans for many successful projects around Brisbane such as:
- STONES CORNER, QLD 4120 - $5,538,000.00 Development Loan Provided.
- NORMAN PARK, QLD 4170 - $13,228,320.00 Development Loan Provided.
- FOREST GLEN, QLD 4556 - $8,165,000.00 - $10,235,000.00
About Assured Management Limited
Assured Management Limited (AML) is a boutique funds manager specialising in first mortgage construction and development finance in Brisbane and the greater South East Queensland region.
AML provides a complete developer finance solution. We work directly with our property development partners focusing on key success drivers of profitable Property Development projects.
AML's ability to work directly on a personalised level with developers is what sets it apart from competitors. Direct access to the people who are approving and monitoring your loans assures you as the borrower. This creates a proactive line of communication that puts AML in a good position should any intervention or involvement become necessary.
AML is not a bank and doesn't purport to be one; unlike traditional financial institutions they have a dynamic and commercial mindset with the flexibility and capacity to problem solve and work closely with our developers to reach the shared objective; to finish projects in a timely and cost-effective manner.
View our recent projects
Our two Directors have been involved in the mortgage funds management business since the early 1990s and one of those Directors has been involved in the mortgage industry generally since 1978. In total, all Directors have a combined industry experience over 70 years.
This experience has been instrumental in maintaining high performance and the continuing prosperity of the Assured Mortgage Fund, even through difficult economic times. Assured Management Limited has always maintained a focus on the markets in which its investments are being placed and will continue to do so in the future.
More about Key Personnel
AML lends to 65% Loan to Valuation Ratio (LVR). This applies to both the 'As Is' valuation and the 'Gross Realisation' (Including GST); at all times the aim is to hold the cost to complete in our facility. In some instances where this leaves the developer a little short, a facility can be organised to use the developer's GST refunds. By utilising this method, the developer can add the GST refunds to our loan facility to assist in funding the cost to complete.
As we lend on Gross Realisable Value (GRV), we have no limit on Total Development Cost (TDC), in some circumstances, we can fund up to 100%. In comparison to the more traditional hard-cost method of funding, this means that Developers can secure funding with significantly smaller equity contributions and get started on projects sooner.
Although upfront costs of non-bank finance may look more expensive at face value, the overall equity outlay required from Developers may be significantly less compared to traditional or bank funding. An example of this point is provided below.
| | ‘Traditional Hard Cost Method’ – 80% of TDC | ‘Assured Management Facility’ – 65% of GRV |
|---|
| ‘As Is' Land Value |
$2,000,000.00 |
$2,000,000.00 |
| Gross Realisable Value of project |
$10,000,000.00 |
$10,000,000.00 |
| Construction Cost |
$5,000,000.00 |
$5,000,000.00 |
| Interest and Fees |
$400,000.00 |
$530,000.00 |
| Total Costs |
$5,400,000.00 |
$5,530,000.00 |
| |
|
|
| Loan Available at Commencement |
$1,100,000.00 |
$970,000.00 |
| Total Loan Available |
$4,000,000.00 |
$6,500,000.00 |
| |
|
|
| Developer Equity Required |
$2,500,000.00 |
$ |
We do not have regimented requirement for pre-sales and the majority of our lending is on a no pre-sale basis. Whilst having these sales certainly can assist in the approval process, we are of the opinion that they are not the 'be-all and end-all'.
Our approach to every new development project is more holistic. We assess a loan application on the merit of the property and proposed development. This is because presales are time consuming, expensive, sometimes complex, and reduce profitability as a developer will often have to discount the product to achieve an 'off the plan sale'. By allowing construction to get underway with nil or little presales, borrowers can immensely reduce holding costs, and more often than not, achieve better end sale prices.
We do not underestimate the importance of a prospective purchaser being able to physically walk through or view the final, finished product. Combined with our personalised, professional and timely service delivery, we have borrowers that complete double the number of projects within the same timeframe that they could complete a single project with traditional bank finance.
AML has been operating for over 20 years with a strong, loyal investor base at its core. As a contributory fund, investors are 'locked in' for the life of the mortgage, unlike a 'pooled fund'. This means investors can't simply redeem their funds within a specified timeframe and potentially cause a 'run on funds' in times of economic downturn.
Accordingly, with the fund managed by experienced Directors, you can have the surety that funds will not only be available for the initial settlement advance, but also for progress draws throughout the life of your loan.
Our development and construction loans range from $1,000,000.00 to $25,000,000.00 with a maximum loan term of 18 months.
View our FAQ's
AML prides itself in offering transparent and competitive pricing without the hidden costs of many competitors.
For more info, call us free now 1800 028 885.
Fees and interest charged to the Borrower:
1. An application fee of 2% (GST Free)
2. Interest of 10.75% p.a.
3. Release Fee/ Consent Fee of $525 for each release of mortgage or consent.
4. The Borrower will also need to pay for valuation fees, quality surveyor fees, and any other outlays.
Fees that are not charged to the Borrower:
1. Legal fees for preparation of mortgage documents.
2. Draw down fees.
3. Management fees.
4. Line fees
5. Fees for drawing on variations.
6. Monthly monitoring fees.
Contact Us
To apply please contact AML and speak directly to the loan approval team.
Phone: (07) 5578 6177
Email: enquiries@assuredm.com.au
FAQs: Private Lenders in Brisbane
Can you borrow money from a private lender?
Yes. Private lenders (often non-bank lenders or private funds) can lend for property-backed scenarios such as construction, development, bridging, or refinancing—typically assessed on the security property and the exit strategy.
How much does a private lender charge?
Pricing varies by scenario, risk, and timeframe. Private lending can be higher cost than bank finance because it’s often faster and more flexible, and may include establishment fees and other standard lending costs.
Is it better to go with a private lender or a bank?
It depends on your priorities. Banks can suit lower-risk deals where you fit policy and can wait. Private lending can suit time-sensitive construction or development scenarios where flexibility and certainty matter.
Is private lending a good idea?
Private lending can be a good option when you have a clear plan and a credible exit strategy. It’s best used purposefully—e.g., to start works sooner, bridge a timing gap, or fund a project that doesn’t fit bank policy.
Do private lenders in Brisbane offer construction loans?
Many do, especially for developers and builders. Private construction lending is commonly structured with progress draws aligned to build milestones and supported by project assessment and monitoring.
What do private lenders look at most when approving a construction loan?
The key factors are usually the security property, the project feasibility (costs and timeline), and the exit strategy (sale, refinance, or retention).
How fast can a private construction loan be approved?
Timeframes vary, but private lending is often used when speed matters. If the scenario is clear and documents are available, decisioning can be quicker than traditional bank processes.
Do I need perfect credit to use a private lender?
Not always. Private lenders may place greater weight on security value and exit strategy than a traditional credit score—however, each scenario is assessed individually.