WHO THIS IS FOR

3PL Finance Built for Australian Operators

3PL operators across Australia, with NSW capturing 28 percent of national logistics activity, are knocked back by banks that don't understand multi-shipper contract income and DC operations payment timing. Whether you're an e-commerce fulfilment 3PL on a high-pick-rate program, a retail DC operator on a major-retailer contract, an FMCG distribution 3PL on supermarket DC linehaul, a bulk and palletised storage operator, or a last-mile delivery 3PL on parcel-network contracts, we finance counterbalance forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, racking, conveyors and last-mile delivery vans on the multi-shipper contract book.

Your application goes to specialist logistics and warehouse lenders who score multi-shipper contracts, DC operations agreements, forklift fleet value and trading history directly, in one structured submission with no multi-lender credit hits.

  • Upgrading ageing forklifts or racking Replace before maintenance costs outpace what a newer asset would be worth. Trade-in and replacement structured in one application.
  • Winning a new shipper contract Quote the work confident your pre-approval is locked in and the forklift will be on the DC floor for day one.
  • Buying used, dealer or private sale Auction, dealer and private deals other lenders walk away from. We settle direct to the seller and handle the paperwork end to end.
  • Refinancing existing forklift loans Free up monthly income cycle, restructure balloons before they're due, or consolidate multiple loans into one repayment.

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS

How 3PL Finance Works in Australia

A simple, secure online application, with honest advice from a Australia specialist you can trust.
No pressure. No hit to your credit score.

01
Group (3)

Complete the Form in 60 Seconds

Tell us about your 3PL operation and the forklifts, reach trucks, racking or delivery vans you are financing through our secure online form.

02
Group (4)

Speak With a 3PL Finance Specialist

An Australia-based 3PL finance specialist reviews your situation and walks you through the documents needed for the lender match.

03
Frame (9)

Get Pre-Approved Over the Phone

You'll have a clear pre-approval often within 1 business day, with rate, term and balloon structure tailored to how your multi-shipper contract actually pays.

04
Group (5)

Settle the Loan
and Take Delivery

Your specialist sources the strongest matched offer and coordinates settlement with the dealer, private seller or auction house.

Get My Pre-Approval
60 second form. No impact on your credit score.

EQUIPMENT WE HELP FINANCE

3PL Plant Brands and Classes We Help Finance

Forklifts and DC plant for 3PL operators on multi-shipper contracts. New, used, dealer and private-sale across every major brand.

Brands We Help Finance

  • Toyota
  • Hyster
  • Crown
  • Linde
  • Yale
  • Komatsu
  • Mitsubishi
  • Heli
  • Combilift
  • Raymond

3PL Plant Classes We Help Finance

  • Counterbalance Forklifts

    Electric and LPG counterbalance forklifts for high-throughput DC operations.

  • Reach Trucks + Order Pickers

    Electric reach trucks and high-bay order pickers for narrow-aisle pick lines.

  • Container Handlers

    Empty container handlers and laden container handlers for port and intermodal.

  • Conveyors + Sortation

    Roller, belt and powered sortation conveyors for e-commerce fulfilment.

  • Selective + Cantilever Racking

    Selective, drive-in, push-back and cantilever racking systems.

  • Pallet Jacks + Tow Tractors

    Electric pallet jacks, walk-behind stackers and tow tractors for picking.

RECENT SETTLEMENTS

Real Results for Australian 3PL Operators

3PL finance settled across 80+ Australian lenders, from e-commerce fulfilment specialists to multi-site logistics groups. ACL 389328.

"E-commerce fulfilment 3PL on a major online-retailer contract, scaling to 8,000 picks per day. Four new electric reach trucks and order pickers needed by peak season. Cody had pre-approval back in under a day against the shipper contract."

Brett, DC Manager
E-commerce fulfilment

"Retail DC 3PL on a national supermarket DC operations contract. Forklift fleet refresh of eight units plus racking expansion. Jake structured the loan with a balloon matched to the contract renewal cycle."

Hayden, Director
Retail DC operator

"FMCG distribution 3PL on a tier-one beverage shipper contract. New container handler and three counterbalance forklifts on one chattel against the contract income. John matched us with a logistics lender that knew the asset mix."

Sharon, Operations Manager
FMCG distribution

"Bulk and palletised storage operator expanding floorspace after winning a new homewares shipper. Cantilever racking system and a high-reach forklift on one application against the new contract."

Marty, GM
Bulk storage

"Last-mile delivery 3PL on a national parcel-network contract. 12 new delivery vans across two metropolitan depots. Jason structured a master facility so future van additions inside the contract limit don't trigger a new application."

Glen, Operations Lead
Last-mile delivery

"E-commerce fulfilment 3PL on a major online-retailer contract, scaling to 8,000 picks per day. Four new electric reach trucks and order pickers needed by peak season. Cody had pre-approval back in under a day against the shipper contract."

Brett, DC Manager
E-commerce fulfilment

"Retail DC 3PL on a national supermarket DC operations contract. Forklift fleet refresh of eight units plus racking expansion. Jake structured the loan with a balloon matched to the contract renewal cycle."

Hayden, Director
Retail DC operator

"FMCG distribution 3PL on a tier-one beverage shipper contract. New container handler and three counterbalance forklifts on one chattel against the contract income. John matched us with a logistics lender that knew the asset mix."

Sharon, Operations Manager
FMCG distribution

"Bulk and palletised storage operator expanding floorspace after winning a new homewares shipper. Cantilever racking system and a high-reach forklift on one application against the new contract."

Marty, GM
Bulk storage

"Last-mile delivery 3PL on a national parcel-network contract. 12 new delivery vans across two metropolitan depots. Jason structured a master facility so future van additions inside the contract limit don't trigger a new application."

Glen, Operations Lead
Last-mile delivery

"Specialist 3PL operator picking up first cold-chain shipper, needed a forklift and freezer racking. Specialist asset, specialist lender appetite. Tom put it with one that priced cold-chain DC plant on the contract case."

Adam, Director
Cold-chain 3PL

"Multi-DC 3PL group across three states needed forklift additions at two sites and a new conveyor at the third. Equifund structured a master facility so each site draws against the same approved limit."

Wayne, GM
Multi-DC group

"3PL stepping up from sub-contract DC work to first head-contract for a major homewares retailer. New container handler, racking and four forklifts on a single application against the signed head-contract. Terry had us settled inside the week."

Lachy, Director
First head-contract

"Refinanced six legacy forklift and racking loans into one logistics facility. Repayment dropped, term aligned to the shipper contract renewal, and we made room in the equipment budget for an order picker upgrade."

Heath, Owner
3PL refinance

"Established 3PL expanding into reverse logistics for a national online retailer. Returns sorter conveyor and three reach trucks on one application against the reverse-logistics contract. Equifund matched us with a specialist lender."

Dale, Operations Manager
Reverse logistics

"Specialist 3PL operator picking up first cold-chain shipper, needed a forklift and freezer racking. Specialist asset, specialist lender appetite. Tom put it with one that priced cold-chain DC plant on the contract case."

Adam, Director
Cold-chain 3PL

"Multi-DC 3PL group across three states needed forklift additions at two sites and a new conveyor at the third. Equifund structured a master facility so each site draws against the same approved limit."

Wayne, GM
Multi-DC group

"3PL stepping up from sub-contract DC work to first head-contract for a major homewares retailer. New container handler, racking and four forklifts on a single application against the signed head-contract. Terry had us settled inside the week."

Lachy, Director
First head-contract

"Refinanced six legacy forklift and racking loans into one logistics facility. Repayment dropped, term aligned to the shipper contract renewal, and we made room in the equipment budget for an order picker upgrade."

Heath, Owner
3PL refinance

"Established 3PL expanding into reverse logistics for a national online retailer. Returns sorter conveyor and three reach trucks on one application against the reverse-logistics contract. Equifund matched us with a specialist lender."

Dale, Operations Manager
Reverse logistics
SPECIALIST VS BANK

Specialist vs Major Bank 3PL Finance

Side-by-side on the criteria that decide whether an Australian 3pl finance deal settles or stalls.

Criterion Equifund Specialist Major Bank
Income type Reads freight invoices, contractor payments and BAS PAYG salary preferred, freight income often discounted
Lender access Panel of 80+ Australian lenders matched to your file One bank, one credit template
Pre-approval speed Typically inside 24 hours 5 to 10 business days on average
Documentation Low-doc options available for established operators Full financials usually required
Deposit $0 deposit available for prime applications Deposit typically required
Industry expertise Australia-based transport finance specialists Generic commercial credit team
FAQ

Common 3PL Finance Questions

Straight answers to the questions Australian businesses and operators ask most.

What types of trucks and trailers can I finance in Australia?

We finance new, used, demonstrator, dealer and private-sale trucks and trailers across all major makes including Toyota, Hyster, Crown, Linde, Yale, Komatsu, Mitsubishi and Heli. Your specialist matches the finance to your work and the lender to your file.

How long does 3PL finance take to settle?

Pre-approval is typically inside 24 hours once you submit the form. Settlement timing then depends on the lender and asset details, with many Australian deals settling within a week of pre-approval.

Do I need to own property to qualify?

No. Many of our lenders score the deal on freight income and asset value rather than requiring property security. Non-property owners regularly settle 3PL finance through Equifund.

Do I need a deposit?

Not always. $0 deposit is available for prime applications, especially for established operators with active freight contracts. Other deals may require a deposit depending on the asset, the lender and the loan term.

Can I finance a used 3PL, private sale, or auction purchase?

Yes. We finance dealer purchases, private sales, auctions and end-of-lease buyouts. The 3PL just needs to meet the lender's age and condition requirements.

Can I refinance an existing 3PL loan?

Yes. Many Australian operators refinance to access a better rate, restructure repayments around their income cycle, release equity from the asset, or consolidate multiple 3PL loans into one facility.

Which lenders does Equifund work with?

We have a panel of 80+ Australian lenders spanning major banks, specialist asset financiers and non-bank lenders that specifically understand freight income and transport assets. Your specialist matches your file to the right lender for the deal.

Can I finance multiple 3PL operators in one application?

Yes. We regularly settle multi-3PL deals for Australian fleets, often splitting the package across more than one lender to fit each asset's spec and your overall structure.

Do you finance trailers and equipment as well as 3PL operators?

Yes. 3pls, attachments, trailers and related equipment are all on the panel. Equipment security can be structured independently of 3PL finance if that better suits the deal.

What's the difference between a chattel mortgage and a finance lease?

A chattel mortgage gives you immediate ownership of the 3PL while the lender holds it as security. You claim GST upfront and depreciate the forklift for tax. It is the most common structure for established Australian owner-operators. A finance lease keeps the 3PL on the lender's books with set monthly payments and an optional residual paid at the end of the term. Useful for fleet operators managing income cycle against vehicle turnover. Your Australia-based 3PL finance specialist will recommend the structure that suits your business and tax position. Read the full chattel mortgage vs finance lease comparison.

What is freight income recognition?

Freight income recognition is how a specialist lender reads income from freight invoices, contractor payments and BAS rather than treating only PAYG salary as income. Bank credit templates often miss this. Specialist lenders read freight income accurately, which is why established Australian operators frequently get approved on deals that mainstream banks decline.

What is low-doc 3PL finance?

Low-doc 3PL finance is approval on a reduced documentation set, usually a Director declaration plus business activity statements or recent bank statements, rather than full financials. It is faster to process and common for established small-fleet operators in Australia who would rather not produce two years of full tax returns for a single asset purchase.

What is pre-approval in 3PL finance?

Pre-approval is a conditional finance approval issued before you commit to a 3PL. It sets the maximum loan amount, indicative rate, term and repayment structure so you can negotiate with dealers, private sellers or auction houses on solid ground. Equifund pre-approvals are typically issued within 24 hours of form submission.

What is an Australian Credit Licence (ACL)?

An Australian Credit Licence (ACL) is a licence issued by ASIC permitting a business to engage in credit activities under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act. Equifund holds Australian Credit Licence 389328. Working with an ACL holder is a baseline regulatory protection for the borrower and a baseline trust signal for any Australian finance provider.

Will lenders score multi-shipper 3PL contracts as recurring income?

Yes. Specialist logistics and warehouse lenders on our panel recognise multi-shipper 3PL agreements, DC operations contracts, e-commerce fulfilment programs and last-mile parcel-network contracts as recurring income, and approve forklifts, reach trucks, racking and delivery vans without consumer credit scoring.

Can specialist 3PL plant like high-reach forklifts and racking be financed?

Yes. Lenders on our panel finance high-reach forklifts, electric reach trucks, order pickers, cantilever and selective racking, conveyors, container handlers and forklifts against the shipper contract that justifies them, with chattel mortgage terms matched to the contract renewal cycle.

Can a multi-DC 3PL group consolidate plant additions onto one facility?

Yes. 3PL operators running multiple DC sites can set up a master facility on our panel that approves forklift, racking and conveyor additions inside the limit as new shippers come on, reducing credit hits and admin per asset.

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