Australian businesses feeling cashflow pressure as access to funds becomes critical

Sydney, 3 March 2026 — Australian business owners are navigating a year of tight margins, rising rents, and delayed payments, with new national research commissioned by Tyro highlighting that access to funds is emerging as one of the biggest challenges facing operators. 

The research, based on a nationally representative survey of more than 500 Australian small business owners, reveals many businesses are operating with little financial buffer. 

Nearly six in ten (59%) report experiencing cashflow stress in the past six months, while almost one in three (30%) have less than one month of cash reserves, including one in ten with no buffer at all. 

At the same time, more than half wait between one and five days to receive funds after a customer pays by card, delaying access to their own takings. Nearly two thirds (64%) say instant settlement of card payments would be valuable to their business. 

Nigel Lee, CEO of Tyro, said the findings reinforce how critical faster, more predictable access to funds has become. 

“When nearly a third of owners have less than a month of cash reserves, timing matters. Cashflow stress is often less about demand and more about the gap between earning money and accessing it. We’ve built solutions to help close that gap.” 

Rising overheads are compounding the issue. 44% say their business rent has increased in the past year, with one in four reporting rent hikes of more than 10%. More than a third (36%) have taken on personal debt to keep their business operating, and 42% have delayed paying themselves to ensure staff are paid first.  

Lee said Tyro has expanded its ecosystem, so businesses aren’t waiting days for their own takings to clear, easing pressure across payroll, rent, and supplier payments. 

“Our banking and lending solutions are designed around business cashflow. With the Tyro Transaction Account, eligible businesses can receive same-day settlement, giving them access to their takings sooner. And through our Tyro Flexi Loan, eligible merchants can access additional funds quickly and flexibly when cashflow gaps arise.” 

The pressure is particularly acute in hospitality, where many owners are absorbing higher costs rather than immediately passing them on. Nearly six in ten expect the price of a regular coffee to rise by the end of 2026, while two thirds of pub owners anticipate higher beer prices, with more than a quarter forecasting a $12 or higher price point for a locally made schooner. 

Despite the strain, resilience remains strong. More than eight in ten (83%) small business owners say they are confident their business will still be operating this time next year. 

ENDS 

Media enquiries: Georgie Hollis, media@tyro.com, +61 466 353 920 

Methodology 

Research was conducted by independent research agency Antenna, on behalf of Tyro. An online AntennaPoll survey of 519 Australian small business owners was conducted between 10 and 28 December 2025. Respondents were sourced nationally via an accredited online research access panel. Data was weighted for representation against the 2021 ABS Census. 

About Tyro   

In 2003, Tyro set out to make payments the easiest part of doing business. Today, we’re still into business big time, powering more than 76,000 merchants across Australia with in-store, online and on-the-go payment solutions. Working with more than 450 partners, we create seamless payment experiences for hospitality, retail, services and health providers, with integrated banking and lending solutions designed to help unlock the potential of every business.  

Tyro Payments Limited ACN 103 575 042 AFSL 471951 (Tyro) is the issuer of its own financial products. As Tyro does not take into account your personal circumstances, please consider if these products are suitable for you.