WHO THIS IS FOR

Forklift Finance Built for Australian Operators

Forklifts 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 warehouse and DC pick-and-pack operations, manufacturing plant materials handling, construction site lifts, container yard and port intermodal handling, cold-chain warehouse operations, hire-out forklifts on day-rate contracts, council and government subcontract work, or owner-operator materials handling.

Your application goes to specialist materials handling lenders who assess warehouse and DC contracts, asset value and trading history directly, in one structured submission with no multi-lender credit hits.

  • Upgrading ageing forklifts 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 warehouse or 3PL 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 Forklift 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 forklift you are financing through our secure online form.

02
Group (4)

Speak With a Forklift Finance Specialist

An Australia-based forklift 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 Forklift Operators

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

"DC operator added a third shift on a new pick-and-pack contract. Needed two more forklifts on the floor by Sunday night. Cody settled both deals Friday afternoon."

Carly, DC Manager
Distribution centre

"Cold-storage warehouse fitout for a national retailer underwrote a fleet of reach trucks. Equifund put it on one chattel mortgage with one credit decision."

Brett, Operations Manager
Cold storage

"3PL contract for an e-commerce platform required a forklift refresh across the DC. They matched us with a lender that scored on the 3PL contract and the active job book."

Lisa, GM
Third-party logistics

"Demo of an electric counterbalance forklift on the warehouse floor for two weeks. Noise and emissions wins. John had us approved by Wednesday and the unit stayed."

Wes, Yard Manager
Warehouse

"Ex-fleet forklifts at a major DC sell-down, low hours, clean service books. Equifund pre-approved us across the catalogue so we bid on multiple lots."

Wayne, Owner-Operator
Warehouse contractor

"DC operator added a third shift on a new pick-and-pack contract. Needed two more forklifts on the floor by Sunday night. Cody settled both deals Friday afternoon."

Carly, DC Manager
Distribution centre

"Cold-storage warehouse fitout for a national retailer underwrote a fleet of reach trucks. Equifund put it on one chattel mortgage with one credit decision."

Brett, Operations Manager
Cold storage

"3PL contract for an e-commerce platform required a forklift refresh across the DC. They matched us with a lender that scored on the 3PL contract and the active job book."

Lisa, GM
Third-party logistics

"Demo of an electric counterbalance forklift on the warehouse floor for two weeks. Noise and emissions wins. John had us approved by Wednesday and the unit stayed."

Wes, Yard Manager
Warehouse

"Ex-fleet forklifts at a major DC sell-down, low hours, clean service books. Equifund pre-approved us across the catalogue so we bid on multiple lots."

Wayne, Owner-Operator
Warehouse contractor

"First time on a long-term 3PL contract for a manufacturer. Jake structured a chattel mortgage with a term that matched the contract's run."

Hannah, Director
3PL contract

"Hire-out forklift fleet to industrial and warehouse 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."

Tracy, Yard Owner
Hire-out fleet

"Expansion from warehouse-only forklifts into rough-terrain machines for site work. Terry matched us with a lender that scored on the active warehouse contracts and the site contract pipeline together."

Brad, Operations Manager
Warehouse and site

"Owner-operator stepping up from labour-hire warehouse work to running our own forklifts on a DC contract. Jason structured a chattel mortgage with the right balloon to align with the income cycle."

Sam, Owner-Operator
DC contractor

"Regional manufacturer needing a forklift fleet for the production floor. Equifund found a lender that scored on the active production contracts and approved the deal on the contract case."

Murray, Production Manager
Regional manufacturer

"First time on a long-term 3PL contract for a manufacturer. Jake structured a chattel mortgage with a term that matched the contract's run."

Hannah, Director
3PL contract

"Hire-out forklift fleet to industrial and warehouse 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."

Tracy, Yard Owner
Hire-out fleet

"Expansion from warehouse-only forklifts into rough-terrain machines for site work. Terry matched us with a lender that scored on the active warehouse contracts and the site contract pipeline together."

Brad, Operations Manager
Warehouse and site

"Owner-operator stepping up from labour-hire warehouse work to running our own forklifts on a DC contract. Jason structured a chattel mortgage with the right balloon to align with the income cycle."

Sam, Owner-Operator
DC contractor

"Regional manufacturer needing a forklift fleet for the production floor. Equifund found a lender that scored on the active production contracts and approved the deal on the contract case."

Murray, Production Manager
Regional manufacturer
SPECIALIST VS BANK

Specialist vs Major Bank Forklift Finance

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

Criterion Equifund Specialist Major Bank
Income type Reads project payments, progress claims and BAS PAYG salary preferred, contract 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 asset and equipment finance specialists Generic commercial credit team
FAQ

Common Forklift Finance Questions

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

What types of forklifts can I finance in Australia?

We finance new, used, demonstrator, dealer and private-sale forklifts across all major makes and models. Your specialist matches the finance to your work and the lender to your file.

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

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

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

Can I finance multiple forklifts in one application?

Yes. We regularly settle multi-forklift 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 forklifts?

Yes. Forklifts, attachments, trailers and related equipment are all on the panel. Equipment security can be structured independently of forklift 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 forklift 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 forklift 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 forklift 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 forklift finance?

Low-doc forklift 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 forklift finance?

Pre-approval is a conditional finance approval issued before you commit to a forklift. 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 forklifts for warehouse, manufacturing and construction work?

Yes. New, demo and used forklifts (counterbalance, reach trucks, order pickers, container handlers, rough-terrain) from Toyota, Linde, Yale, Crown, Hyster, Mitsubishi and CAT are routinely financed through specialist lenders on our panel.

Can you finance forklifts on contract income rather than property security?

Yes. Lenders on our panel score forklifts on contract income, BAS and active warehouse and construction contracts. The forklift itself secures the loan.

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forklift finance specialists

Apply for Your Forklift Finance

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

Pre-approval in 24 hours
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Business Details
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