WHO THIS IS FOR

Asset Finance Built for Australian Businesses

Business owners across Australia acquiring vehicles, trucks, equipment, plant and machinery are knocked back by banks, stalled in single-lender queues, and locked into single products by dealer finance. Whether you're acquiring commercial vehicles and trucks, construction and civil equipment, agricultural machinery, manufacturing plant, materials handling forklifts and cranes, IT and office equipment, specialist trade tools, or refreshing a fleet across multiple asset classes.

Your application goes to specialist transport lenders who assess freight income, asset value and trading history directly, in one structured submission with no multi-lender credit hits.

  • Upgrading ageing assets or trailers Replace before maintenance costs outpace what a newer asset would be worth. Trade-in and replacement structured in one application.
  • Securing a new freight contract Quote the work confident your pre-approval is locked in and the asset will be on site 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 equipment loans Free up monthly cashflow, restructure balloons before they're due, or consolidate multiple loans into one repayment.

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS

How Asset Finance Works in Australia

A simple, secure online application, with honest advice from an Australia-based 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 transport business and the asset or trailer you are financing through our secure online form.

02
Group (4)

Speak With an Asset Finance Specialist

An Australia-based asset 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 repayment structure tailored to how your freight income actually flows.

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.
RECENT SETTLEMENTS

Real Results for Australian Asset Finance

Asset finance settled across 80+ Australian lenders, from sole traders to mid-size businesses. ACL 389328.

"Five assets in one order across trucks, trailers and forklifts. The bank wanted to assess each one separately on different criteria. The lender we used took it as one package and structured a single chattel mortgage."

Mid-size business, multi-asset
Multi-asset fleet

"Operating lease on a fleet of work utes for a service business. The bank only offered hire purchase. The lender we used structured the operating lease to match the tax position."

Service business, operating lease
Service business

"Chattel mortgage on a new excavator for a civil contractor. The bank wanted property security on top. The lender we used took the asset itself and active site contracts as the security."

Contractor business, chattel mortgage
Contractor business

"Three trucks for a regional distribution business under finance lease. The bank wouldn't structure as a lease. The lender we used structured it as a true lease with a residual at end-of-term."

Distribution business, finance lease
Distribution business

"Manufacturing plant upgrade across CNC, lathe and press machinery. The bank wanted three years of financials per piece. The lender we used took the production contracts and approved as a package."

Manufacturing business, plant
Manufacturing business

"Five assets in one order across trucks, trailers and forklifts. The bank wanted to assess each one separately on different criteria. The lender we used took it as one package and structured a single chattel mortgage."

Mid-size business, multi-asset
Multi-asset fleet

"Operating lease on a fleet of work utes for a service business. The bank only offered hire purchase. The lender we used structured the operating lease to match the tax position."

Service business, operating lease
Service business

"Chattel mortgage on a new excavator for a civil contractor. The bank wanted property security on top. The lender we used took the asset itself and active site contracts as the security."

Contractor business, chattel mortgage
Contractor business

"Three trucks for a regional distribution business under finance lease. The bank wouldn't structure as a lease. The lender we used structured it as a true lease with a residual at end-of-term."

Distribution business, finance lease
Distribution business

"Manufacturing plant upgrade across CNC, lathe and press machinery. The bank wanted three years of financials per piece. The lender we used took the production contracts and approved as a package."

Manufacturing business, plant
Manufacturing business

"Fleet refresh of work vehicles for a multi-tradie. Bank wanted property security on each. The lender we used took the BAS, the active job book and the vehicles themselves."

Multi-trade fleet, vehicles
Multi-asset fleet

"Bought a piece of equipment at a dealer auction. You have about a day to find the money or you forfeit the deposit. A non-bank lender on asset finance structures had it sorted before the next pickup cycle."

Owner-operator, dealer auction
Established business

"Hire-out fleet refresh across vehicles and equipment. Dealer finance would not match the hire-co business model. The lender we used structured the loan to the hire-revenue cycle."

Hire company, asset finance
Multi-asset fleet

"Mid-size construction business expanding into a new vertical. Bank wanted property security on top of the assets. The lender we used scored on active head-contractor contracts and approved on asset and contract alone."

Construction business, expansion
Construction business

"Sole trader expanding from one vehicle to three. Bank's chattel mortgage structure was rigid and the dealer finance was capped. The lender we used structured the chattel mortgage with the right balloon and term to match cashflow."

Sole trader, expansion
Sole trader

"Fleet refresh of work vehicles for a multi-tradie. Bank wanted property security on each. The lender we used took the BAS, the active job book and the vehicles themselves."

Multi-trade fleet, vehicles
Multi-asset fleet

"Bought a piece of equipment at a dealer auction. You have about a day to find the money or you forfeit the deposit. A non-bank lender on asset finance structures had it sorted before the next pickup cycle."

Owner-operator, dealer auction
Established business

"Hire-out fleet refresh across vehicles and equipment. Dealer finance would not match the hire-co business model. The lender we used structured the loan to the hire-revenue cycle."

Hire company, asset finance
Multi-asset fleet

"Mid-size construction business expanding into a new vertical. Bank wanted property security on top of the assets. The lender we used scored on active head-contractor contracts and approved on asset and contract alone."

Construction business, expansion
Construction business

"Sole trader expanding from one vehicle to three. Bank's chattel mortgage structure was rigid and the dealer finance was capped. The lender we used structured the chattel mortgage with the right balloon and term to match cashflow."

Sole trader, expansion
Sole trader
SPECIALIST VS BANK

Specialist vs Major Bank Asset Finance

Side-by-side on the criteria that decide whether an asset 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 Asset Finance Questions

Straight answers to the questions Australian transport operators ask most.

What types of assets can I finance in Australia?

We finance prime movers, rigid assets, tippers, refrigerated units, B-doubles, trailers and specialty assets across all major makes including Kenworth, Volvo, Mack, Iveco, Hino, MAN, Isuzu and Scania. New, used, demonstrator, dealer or private sale.

How long does asset 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 asset 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 asset, private sale, or auction purchase?

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

Can I refinance an existing asset loan?

Yes. Many Australian operators refinance to access a better rate, restructure repayments around their cashflow, release equity from the asset, or consolidate multiple asset 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 assets in one application?

Yes. We regularly settle multi-asset 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 assets?

Yes. Prime movers, trailers, refrigerated units and combinations are all on the panel. Trailer security can be structured independently of asset 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 asset while the lender holds it as security. You claim GST upfront and depreciate the asset for tax. It is the most common structure for established Australian owner-operators. A finance lease keeps the asset 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 cashflow against vehicle turnover. Your Australia-based asset 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 transport activity rather than treating only PAYG salary as income. Bank credit templates often miss this. Specialist lenders price freight income accurately, which is why established Australian owner-operators frequently get approved on deals that mainstream banks decline.

What is low-doc asset finance?

Low-doc asset 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 asset finance?

Pre-approval is a conditional finance approval issued before you commit to an asset. 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.

What asset finance products are available (chattel mortgage, finance lease, operating lease)?

All major asset finance products are available through specialist lenders on our panel including chattel mortgage, finance lease, operating lease and hire purchase. The right structure depends on tax position, balance sheet preference and cashflow.

Can you arrange asset finance on contract income rather than property security?

Yes. Lenders on our panel score asset finance on contract income, BAS and active business income. The asset itself secures the loan, not your house.

Equifund finance specialist on call
asset finance specialists

Apply for Asset Finance

Three quick steps. An asset finance specialist gets back to you the same business day.

Pre-approval in 24 hours
80+ lender panel
Equifund
Business Details
Equifund
Contact Information
Equifund
Asset Information