WHO THIS IS FOR

Drill Support Finance Built for Australian Rig Operators

Drill operators and drill support contractors across Australia running mineral exploration, water-bore, geotechnical and blast-hole programs are knocked back by banks that don't understand drill day-rates and program-by-program revenue, stalled in single-lender queues, and pushed into generic templates by dealer finance. Whether you're a reverse-circulation or diamond drilling contractor on an exploration program, a water-bore drilling operator on rural and agricultural work, a geotechnical drilling contractor on civil engineering investigations, a blast-hole drill contractor on a tonne-rate mining contract, or a drill rig support contractor running compressors, fuel trucks and rod transport, we finance rigs, support trucks, compressors and ancillary plant on the program contract.

Your application goes to specialist drilling and resources lenders who score drill program contracts, day-rate and metre-rate revenue, specialist rig assets and trading history directly, in one structured submission with no multi-lender credit hits.

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

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS

How Drill Support 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 drill operation and the rigs, support trucks or compressors you are financing through our secure online form.

02
Group (4)

Speak With a Drill Support Finance Specialist

An Australia-based drill support 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 drill program 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

Drill Support Plant Brands and Classes We Help Finance

Drill rigs and support plant for mineral exploration, water-bore, geotechnical and blast-hole programs. New and refurbished across every major brand.

Brands We Help Finance

  • Caterpillar
  • Komatsu
  • Hitachi
  • Volvo CE
  • Hyundai
  • JCB
  • Kobelco
  • Sumitomo
  • Doosan / Develon
  • Kubota
  • Bobcat
  • Case
  • Sany
  • Liebherr
  • Yanmar

Drill Support Plant Classes We Help Finance

  • RC Drill Rigs

    Reverse-circulation drill rigs for mineral exploration grade-control work.

  • Diamond Drill Rigs

    Surface and underground diamond rigs for deep-hole exploration.

  • Water-Bore Rigs

    Rotary and percussion water-bore rigs for rural and agricultural work.

  • Compressor Trucks

    Booster compressors and ancillary support for air-flushed drilling.

  • Support Vehicles

    Drill support utes, fuel trucks and crew transporters for remote site work.

  • Rod-Handling Vehicles

    Rod-handling utes, rod racks and accessory transport vehicles.

RECENT SETTLEMENTS

Real Results for Australian Drill Support Operators

Drill support finance settled across 80+ Australian lenders, from owner-operator rig contractors to multi-rig drilling groups. ACL 389328.

"Reverse-circulation drill rig on a 12-month exploration program for a lithium junior. Specialist rig asset, specialist lender appetite. Cody had pre-approval back in under a day against the program contract."

Hayden, Director
RC exploration rig

"Diamond drilling contractor on a multi-rig copper exploration campaign. Two new rigs and a support truck on one chattel. Jake structured the application against the campaign and three assets in one decision."

Brett, Drill Manager
Diamond copper rig

"Water-bore drilling operator on rural and agricultural work, seasonal demand intense across summer and steady year-round. John matched us with a lender that priced the seasonal pattern and approved a new rig with the right repayment template."

Marty, Owner-Operator
Water bore

"Geotechnical drilling contractor on a tier-one civil head-contractor's infrastructure investigation. Specialised geotech rig and ute. Jason found a lender that read the head-contractor relationship as the income source."

Glen, Owner
Geotech investigation

"Blast-hole drilling sub-contractor on a tonne-rate iron ore contract. Existing rig at end of life, new rig needed by next campaign. Tom had us settled on a chattel with a balloon to match the campaign payment cycle."

Adam, Director
Blast-hole iron ore

"Reverse-circulation drill rig on a 12-month exploration program for a lithium junior. Specialist rig asset, specialist lender appetite. Cody had pre-approval back in under a day against the program contract."

Hayden, Director
RC exploration rig

"Diamond drilling contractor on a multi-rig copper exploration campaign. Two new rigs and a support truck on one chattel. Jake structured the application against the campaign and three assets in one decision."

Brett, Drill Manager
Diamond copper rig

"Water-bore drilling operator on rural and agricultural work, seasonal demand intense across summer and steady year-round. John matched us with a lender that priced the seasonal pattern and approved a new rig with the right repayment template."

Marty, Owner-Operator
Water bore

"Geotechnical drilling contractor on a tier-one civil head-contractor's infrastructure investigation. Specialised geotech rig and ute. Jason found a lender that read the head-contractor relationship as the income source."

Glen, Owner
Geotech investigation

"Blast-hole drilling sub-contractor on a tonne-rate iron ore contract. Existing rig at end of life, new rig needed by next campaign. Tom had us settled on a chattel with a balloon to match the campaign payment cycle."

Adam, Director
Blast-hole iron ore

"Drill rig support contractor running compressors, fuel trucks and rod-handling utes for multiple drilling principals. Equifund put it with a lender that scored the principal contracts as the income source and approved a full support package."

Sharon, GM
Rig support fleet

"Owner-operator stepping up from one rig to two after winning a second exploration program slot. Jason structured the second loan as an add-on to the existing facility so the credit hit was minimal."

Dale, Owner-Operator
Second rig step-up

"Specialist coring rig for a deep-hole diamond exploration program. Terry found a lender that knew the asset spec and approved on the program contract without property security."

Heath, Drill Manager
Coring rig

"Refinanced original first-rig loan when the next exploration program rolled in. Repayment dropped, term aligned to the new program contract, and credit decision came back the next day."

Lachy, Owner-Operator
Drill refinance

"Multi-rig drilling group expanding into a third commodity after winning a nickel exploration program. Equifund structured a master facility so future rig and support additions come off the same approved limit."

Wayne, Director
Multi-commodity expansion

"Drill rig support contractor running compressors, fuel trucks and rod-handling utes for multiple drilling principals. Equifund put it with a lender that scored the principal contracts as the income source and approved a full support package."

Sharon, GM
Rig support fleet

"Owner-operator stepping up from one rig to two after winning a second exploration program slot. Jason structured the second loan as an add-on to the existing facility so the credit hit was minimal."

Dale, Owner-Operator
Second rig step-up

"Specialist coring rig for a deep-hole diamond exploration program. Terry found a lender that knew the asset spec and approved on the program contract without property security."

Heath, Drill Manager
Coring rig

"Refinanced original first-rig loan when the next exploration program rolled in. Repayment dropped, term aligned to the new program contract, and credit decision came back the next day."

Lachy, Owner-Operator
Drill refinance

"Multi-rig drilling group expanding into a third commodity after winning a nickel exploration program. Equifund structured a master facility so future rig and support additions come off the same approved limit."

Wayne, Director
Multi-commodity expansion
SPECIALIST VS BANK

Specialist vs Major Bank Drill Support Finance

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

Criterion Equifund Specialist Major Bank
Income type Reads job invoices, progress claims and BAS PAYG salary preferred, trade 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 trade and equipment finance specialists Generic commercial credit team
FAQ

Common Drill Support Finance Questions

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

What types of drill-support equipment and vehicles can I finance in Australia?

We finance new, used, demonstrator, dealer and private-sale drill-support 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 drill support 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 trade income and asset value rather than requiring property security. Non-property owners regularly settle drill support finance through Equifund.

Do I need a deposit?

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

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

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

Can I refinance an existing drill support 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 drill support 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 trade income and transport assets. Your specialist matches your file to the right lender for the deal.

Can I finance multiple drill support contractors in one application?

Yes. We regularly settle multi-drill support 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 drill support contractors?

Yes. Drill Supports, attachments, trailers and related equipment are all on the panel. Equipment security can be structured independently of drill support 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 drill support while the lender holds it as security. You claim GST upfront and depreciate the rig for tax. It is the most common structure for established Australian owner-operators. A finance lease keeps the drill support 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 drill support finance specialist will recommend the structure that suits your business and tax position. Read the full chattel mortgage vs finance lease comparison.

What is trade income recognition?

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

What is low-doc drill support finance?

Low-doc drill support 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 drill support finance?

Pre-approval is a conditional finance approval issued before you commit to a drill support. 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 price drill program day-rate or metre-rate as recurring income?

Yes. Specialist drilling and resources lenders on our panel recognise signed exploration, water-bore, geotechnical and blast-hole drill program contracts on day-rate or metre-rate as recurring revenue, and approve rigs, support trucks and ancillary plant without consumer credit scoring.

Can specialist RC, diamond or coring rigs be financed without property security?

Yes. Lenders on our panel finance specialist RC, diamond, coring and water-bore rigs against the program contract that justifies them, with chattel mortgage terms matched to the program length, without asking for property security on top of the rig and contract.

Can a multi-rig drilling group consolidate rig and support additions onto one facility?

Yes. Drilling contractors running multi-rig fleets across programs can set up a master facility on our panel that approves rig and support vehicle additions inside the limit as new programs come on, reducing credit hits and admin per asset.

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drill support finance specialists

Apply for Your Drill Support Finance

Three quick steps. A drill support finance specialist gets back to you the same business day.

Pre-approval in 24 hours
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