BUILDERS TO CIVIL CONTRACTORS

Who is Construction Finance Built For?

Equifund construction finance is built for established Australian ABN holders, whether you are a residential builder upgrading site plant, a civil contractor financing an excavator for a new contract, or a multi-build framework specialist rotating equipment across several sites. We match your application to specialist construction lenders who read builder frameworks, project contracts and asset value the right way, financing telehandlers, skid steers, crane trucks, work utes and full plant packages, new or used, right across the country. To weigh your options, compare the best construction equipment finance options in Australia.

Your application goes to specialist construction and builder finance lenders who assess builder frameworks, project contracts and trading history directly, in one structured submission with no multi-lender credit hits.

  • Upgrading ageing plant or attachments Replace before maintenance costs outpace what a newer asset would be worth. Trade-in and replacement structured in one application.
  • Winning a new builder framework Quote the work confident your pre-approval is locked in and the plant 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 plant loans Free up monthly income cycle, restructure balloons before they're due, or consolidate multiple loans into one repayment.

THE SMARTER CHOICE

Equifund vs Bank vs Dealer?

How construction finance compares across the three places ABN holders can fund equipment.

Equifund, commercial finance specialistMajor bankDealer finance
Who they lend toEstablished ABN holders, residential builders to head contractors, assessed on the business and the asset.Prefers strong financials or PAYG strength, often backed by property.Whoever is buying that machine at the yard, on a take-it-or-leave-it offer.
Income assessedBuilder framework, progress claims and BAS income. Low-doc for established ABNs, no full tax returns.Full financials and tax returns usually required.Limited, tied to the sale, not your wider business.
Lender choiceA wide panel of Australian lenders matched to your deal.One bank, one credit template.One or two aligned financiers only.
Rate & structureMarket-tested rates and structure with balloon, 1 to 7 year terms and extra repayments.Standard products with limited flexibility.Rate loaded with dealer margin, and high balloons that flatter the monthly but cost more.
Used, private & auctionNew, used, ex-fleet, private-sale and auction all financed.Restrictive on used, private and auction buys.Usually the dealer's own stock only.
Deposit & security$0 deposit for prime applications, secured on the equipment, not your home.Deposit and often property security required.Varies, frequently bundled with add-ons.
Pre-approval speedTypically inside 24 to 48 hours.5 to 10 business days on average.Fast at the desk, but the offer is fixed.
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS

How Does Construction Finance Work?

A simple, secure online application, with honest advice from a construction finance 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 construction business and the plant, vehicles or materials handling you are financing through our secure online form.

02
Group (4)

Speak With a Construction Finance Specialist

An Australian construction 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 builder framework 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.
RECENT SETTLEMENTS

What Results Do Our Construction Finance Clients Get?

Construction finance settled across a wide panel of Australian lenders, from residential site-prep operators to tier-one commercial builders. ACL 389328.

"Tier-one commercial build had a steel-lift programme on the schedule from week three. Terry had us settled on a crane truck and a telehandler as a package before mobilisation Monday."

Carly, Project Manager
Tier-one commercial

"Builder framework on a new residential estate underwrote a fleet of site-supervision utes plus a telehandler and a skid steer for site prep. Equifund put it on one chattel mortgage with one credit decision."

Hannah, Director
Residential builder

"Multi-site builder rotating telehandlers and skid steers across three concurrent builds. They matched us with a lender that scored on the active project pipeline and the framework contract together."

Lisa, GM
Multi-site builder

"Stepped up from residential into our first tier-two commercial build. Plant package across crane truck, telehandler and a skid steer on one finance application. Alex structured the term to match the build's two-year window."

Brad, Operations Manager
Residential to commercial

"Demo of an electric telehandler and a compact skid steer on an apartment build for two weeks. Numbers stacked up. Tom had us approved by Wednesday and the demo package stayed."

Wayne, Site Manager
Residential builder

"Tier-one commercial build had a steel-lift programme on the schedule from week three. Terry had us settled on a crane truck and a telehandler as a package before mobilisation Monday."

Carly, Project Manager
Tier-one commercial

"Builder framework on a new residential estate underwrote a fleet of site-supervision utes plus a telehandler and a skid steer for site prep. Equifund put it on one chattel mortgage with one credit decision."

Hannah, Director
Residential builder

"Multi-site builder rotating telehandlers and skid steers across three concurrent builds. They matched us with a lender that scored on the active project pipeline and the framework contract together."

Lisa, GM
Multi-site builder

"Stepped up from residential into our first tier-two commercial build. Plant package across crane truck, telehandler and a skid steer on one finance application. Alex structured the term to match the build's two-year window."

Brad, Operations Manager
Residential to commercial

"Demo of an electric telehandler and a compact skid steer on an apartment build for two weeks. Numbers stacked up. Tom had us approved by Wednesday and the demo package stayed."

Wayne, Site Manager
Residential builder

"Builder framework on infrastructure projects, steady multi-year work. John found a lender that scored on the framework as the income base and approved a full plant refresh on the contract case."

Hayden, Director
Builder framework

"Regional builder needing materials handling for steel-frame erection across multiple jobs. Jake matched us with a lender that scored on the active build book and approved the package on contract income."

Aaron, Site Manager
Regional builder

"Major builder sell-down of low-hour telehandlers and forklifts. Equifund pre-approved us across the catalogue so we walked in with our numbers and the bids stood up."

Marty, Plant Manager
Materials handling

"Prefab and modular build delivery contract added two crane trucks and a telehandler. They put us with a lender that scored on the prefab contract pipeline as the asset case."

Hugh, Operations Manager
Prefab and modular

"Builder expanding from residential subdivisions into commercial fit-outs. Equifund structured a chattel mortgage that took the residential framework and the new commercial pipeline together."

Megan, GM
Residential and commercial

"Builder framework on infrastructure projects, steady multi-year work. John found a lender that scored on the framework as the income base and approved a full plant refresh on the contract case."

Hayden, Director
Builder framework

"Regional builder needing materials handling for steel-frame erection across multiple jobs. Jake matched us with a lender that scored on the active build book and approved the package on contract income."

Aaron, Site Manager
Regional builder

"Major builder sell-down of low-hour telehandlers and forklifts. Equifund pre-approved us across the catalogue so we walked in with our numbers and the bids stood up."

Marty, Plant Manager
Materials handling

"Prefab and modular build delivery contract added two crane trucks and a telehandler. They put us with a lender that scored on the prefab contract pipeline as the asset case."

Hugh, Operations Manager
Prefab and modular

"Builder expanding from residential subdivisions into commercial fit-outs. Equifund structured a chattel mortgage that took the residential framework and the new commercial pipeline together."

Megan, GM
Residential and commercial
FAQ

Common Construction Finance Questions

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

What types of construction equipment and vehicles can I finance in Australia?

We finance new, used, demonstrator, dealer and private-sale construction equipment and vehicles across all major makes including Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, Volvo CE, Hyundai, JCB, Kobelco and Sumitomo. Your specialist matches the finance to your work and the lender to your file.

How long does construction 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 contract income and asset value rather than requiring property security. Non-property owners regularly settle construction finance through Equifund.

Do I need a deposit?

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

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

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

Can I refinance an existing construction 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 construction loans into one facility.

Which lenders does Equifund work with?

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

Can I finance multiple pieces of construction equipment in one application?

Yes. We regularly settle multi-construction 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 alongside construction machinery?

Yes. Constructions, attachments, trailers and related equipment are all on the panel. Equipment security can be structured independently of construction 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 construction 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 construction 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 Australian construction finance specialist will recommend the structure that suits your business and tax position. Read the full chattel mortgage vs finance lease comparison.

What is contract income recognition?

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

What is low-doc construction finance?

Low-doc construction finance is assessed 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 construction finance?

Pre-approval is a conditional finance approval issued before you commit to a specific piece of equipment. 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.

Can you finance a plant and materials handling package on a builder framework?

Yes. Specialist construction lenders on our panel score builder framework contracts (residential or commercial) as the income base and approve plant packages across telehandlers, skid steers, crane trucks, vans and work utes on one application with one credit decision.

Will the lender take the builder framework as security instead of property?

Yes. Lenders on our panel routinely structure construction finance on the active framework contract income and the asset value, without requiring property security on top. The framework's run informs the loan term and balloon structure.

Can you finance a mixed plant + commercial vehicle fleet refresh?

Yes. Mixed orders across plant (telehandler, skid steer, crane truck) and commercial vehicles (vans, work utes, dual-cabs) routinely settle on one chattel mortgage when the lender scores on the framework or active build pipeline.

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BEYOND CONSTRUCTION

Other Equipment We Finance

Equifund finances every major commercial asset class for prime ABN profiles, from trucks and trailers to skid steers, tractors and yellow goods, backed by a wide lender panel.

Important information: $0 deposit, rates, fees and approval are subject to lender criteria and your circumstances, and may vary. The information on this page is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.
Equifund Financial Group, Australian Credit Licence 389328.

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