WHO THIS IS FOR

Equipment Finance Built for Australian Operators

Equipment owner-operators, subcontractors and small-fleet operators across Australia are knocked back by banks, stalled in single-lender queues, and locked into single products by dealer finance. Whether you run construction and civil contractor equipment, transport and freight equipment, agricultural machinery and implements, manufacturing plant equipment, materials handling forklifts and cranes, hire-out equipment fleets, council and government subcontract equipment, or owner-operator specialist work.

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

  • Upgrading ageing equipment 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 Lower monthly repayments, restructure balloons before they're due, or consolidate multiple loans into one repayment.

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS

How Equipment 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 business and the equipment you are financing through our secure online form.

02
Group (4)

Speak With a Equipment Finance Specialist

An Australia-based equipment 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 business 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 Equipment Operators

Equipment finance settled across 80+ Australian lenders, from owner-operators to mid-size fleets. ACL 389328.

"Civil contractor needed a piece of plant on a low-loader by Sunday for Monday-morning mobilisation. Cody had us settled with the dealer's nominated lender Friday afternoon."

Wayne, Site Foreman
Civil contractor

"Tier-one civil head-contract underwrote a five-machine plant order across excavator, dozer, loader, roller and a wheel loader. Equifund put it on one chattel mortgage with one credit decision."

Hayden, Project Manager
Tier-one civil

"Manufacturing plant upgrade across CNC, lathe and press machinery. They matched us with a lender that scored on the active production contracts and approved the whole package on one decision."

Dave, Production Manager
Manufacturing

"Demo of a piece of equipment on a job for a fortnight. Numbers stacked up. John structured the swap before the demo went back to the dealer."

Brad, Site Manager
Trade contractor

"Major-company sell-down of low-hour equipment, well maintained, full service histories. Equifund pre-approved us across the catalogue."

Mick, Owner-Operator
Civil contractor

"Civil contractor needed a piece of plant on a low-loader by Sunday for Monday-morning mobilisation. Cody had us settled with the dealer's nominated lender Friday afternoon."

Wayne, Site Foreman
Civil contractor

"Tier-one civil head-contract underwrote a five-machine plant order across excavator, dozer, loader, roller and a wheel loader. Equifund put it on one chattel mortgage with one credit decision."

Hayden, Project Manager
Tier-one civil

"Manufacturing plant upgrade across CNC, lathe and press machinery. They matched us with a lender that scored on the active production contracts and approved the whole package on one decision."

Dave, Production Manager
Manufacturing

"Demo of a piece of equipment on a job for a fortnight. Numbers stacked up. John structured the swap before the demo went back to the dealer."

Brad, Site Manager
Trade contractor

"Major-company sell-down of low-hour equipment, well maintained, full service histories. Equifund pre-approved us across the catalogue."

Mick, Owner-Operator
Civil contractor

"First time on a tier-two head-contract for council infrastructure. Terry structured a chattel mortgage with a term that matched the contract's three-year run."

Hannah, Director
Council infrastructure

"Multi-trade business expanding into civil maintenance on a council framework. Jake matched us with a lender that scored on the council framework and the active job book together."

Steve, Operations Manager
Multi-trade

"Owner-operator stepping up from sub-contract to head-contract on a small civil project. Jason structured a chattel mortgage with the right balloon to align with progress payments."

Beau, Owner-Operator
Civil contractor

"Hire-out equipment fleet to civil and trade sub-contractors. Day-rate hire revenue didn't fit standard finance templates. They put us with a lender that structured the loan to the hire cycle."

Glen, Yard Owner
Hire-out fleet

"Established civil expanding into bulk earthworks. Equifund found a lender that scored on the active head-contractor contracts as the case for additional equipment."

Sarah, GM
Bulk earthworks

"First time on a tier-two head-contract for council infrastructure. Terry structured a chattel mortgage with a term that matched the contract's three-year run."

Hannah, Director
Council infrastructure

"Multi-trade business expanding into civil maintenance on a council framework. Jake matched us with a lender that scored on the council framework and the active job book together."

Steve, Operations Manager
Multi-trade

"Owner-operator stepping up from sub-contract to head-contract on a small civil project. Jason structured a chattel mortgage with the right balloon to align with progress payments."

Beau, Owner-Operator
Civil contractor

"Hire-out equipment fleet to civil and trade sub-contractors. Day-rate hire revenue didn't fit standard finance templates. They put us with a lender that structured the loan to the hire cycle."

Glen, Yard Owner
Hire-out fleet

"Established civil expanding into bulk earthworks. Equifund found a lender that scored on the active head-contractor contracts as the case for additional equipment."

Sarah, GM
Bulk earthworks
SPECIALIST VS BANK

Specialist vs Major Bank Equipment Finance

Side-by-side on the criteria that decide whether a Australia equipment 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 Equipment Finance Questions

Straight answers to the questions Australian transport operators ask most.

What types of equipment can I finance in Australia?

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

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

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

Can I refinance an existing equipment 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 equipment 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 equipment in one application?

Yes. We regularly settle multi-equipment 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 equipment?

Yes. Prime movers, trailers, refrigerated units and combinations are all on the panel. Trailer security can be structured independently of equipment 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 equipment while the lender holds it as security. You claim GST upfront and depreciate the equipment for tax. It is the most common structure for established Australian owner-operators. A finance lease keeps the equipment 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 repayments against vehicle turnover. Your Australia-based equipment 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 equipment finance?

Low-doc equipment 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 equipment finance?

Pre-approval is a conditional finance approval issued before you commit to a 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 new and used equipment across construction, transport, agriculture and manufacturing?

Yes. New, demo and used equipment from earthmoving, transport, agriculture, materials handling, manufacturing and specialist verticals are routinely financed through specialist lenders on our panel. Lenders understand sector-specific income cycle and contract structures.

Can you finance equipment on contract income, BAS and ABN rather than property security?

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

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equipment finance specialists

Apply for Your Equipment Finance

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

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