WHO THIS IS FOR

Header Finance Built for Australian Operators

Headers 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 broadacre wheat, barley, canola and pulse harvest operations, contract header businesses moving across multiple farms during harvest, NW NSW and central QLD cropping operations, WA Wheatbelt CBH grain harvest, SA and VIC Mallee grain harvest, hire-out headers during harvest peak, or owner-operator contract header work.

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

  • Upgrading ageing headers 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 Header 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 header you are financing through our secure online form.

02
Group (4)

Speak With a Header Finance Specialist

An Australia-based header 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 Header Operators

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

"Header died at silo handover, two days before the next paddock was ready. Cody had us settled on a replacement that night and the new unit went straight from float to paddock."

Toby, Owner-Operator
Broadacre cropping

"Custom harvest contract from north to south covered seven months. Equifund put it with a lender that scored on the multi-state contract income as the asset case."

Murray, Director
Custom harvest

"Cropping rotation across owned and leased land, two headers needed for peak harvest weeks. They matched us with a lender that scored on the combined cropping income."

Cam, Owner
Multi-property cropping

"Demo header on the property for two weeks during the back end of harvest. Better grain-loss numbers across the board. John had us approved and the swap done inside the week."

Ben, Operator
Broadacre cropping

"Country-town clearing sale with an ex-lease header in full original service. Equifund pre-approved us at the morning of the sale and the bid held under pressure."

Sam, Owner-Operator
Broadacre cropping

"Header died at silo handover, two days before the next paddock was ready. Cody had us settled on a replacement that night and the new unit went straight from float to paddock."

Toby, Owner-Operator
Broadacre cropping

"Custom harvest contract from north to south covered seven months. Equifund put it with a lender that scored on the multi-state contract income as the asset case."

Murray, Director
Custom harvest

"Cropping rotation across owned and leased land, two headers needed for peak harvest weeks. They matched us with a lender that scored on the combined cropping income."

Cam, Owner
Multi-property cropping

"Demo header on the property for two weeks during the back end of harvest. Better grain-loss numbers across the board. John had us approved and the swap done inside the week."

Ben, Operator
Broadacre cropping

"Country-town clearing sale with an ex-lease header in full original service. Equifund pre-approved us at the morning of the sale and the bid held under pressure."

Sam, Owner-Operator
Broadacre cropping

"Cropping plus contract-harvest mix on the books for two seasons running. Jason structured a chattel mortgage that took both income streams as the case."

Heath, Owner
Owner and contract

"First-time custom harvest contract on neighbouring properties. Terry matched us with a lender that scored on the contract and structured the term around the season's invoicing."

Owen, Contract Harvester
Custom harvest

"Regional cropping operation, seasonal income cycle, two big income drops a year. They put us with a lender that ran an irregular-repayment schedule keyed to delivery rather than calendar months."

Jess, Owner-Operator
Regional cropping

"Established broadacre operation adding a second header for peak-week capacity. Jake structured a chattel mortgage with a term that matched the production cycle."

Trevor, Director
Broadacre cropping

"Family operation expanding from owner-cropper to long-term lease across two adjacent farms. Equifund found a lender that scored on the combined lease income as the case for an additional header."

Tara, Owner
Multi-property cropping

"Cropping plus contract-harvest mix on the books for two seasons running. Jason structured a chattel mortgage that took both income streams as the case."

Heath, Owner
Owner and contract

"First-time custom harvest contract on neighbouring properties. Terry matched us with a lender that scored on the contract and structured the term around the season's invoicing."

Owen, Contract Harvester
Custom harvest

"Regional cropping operation, seasonal income cycle, two big income drops a year. They put us with a lender that ran an irregular-repayment schedule keyed to delivery rather than calendar months."

Jess, Owner-Operator
Regional cropping

"Established broadacre operation adding a second header for peak-week capacity. Jake structured a chattel mortgage with a term that matched the production cycle."

Trevor, Director
Broadacre cropping

"Family operation expanding from owner-cropper to long-term lease across two adjacent farms. Equifund found a lender that scored on the combined lease income as the case for an additional header."

Tara, Owner
Multi-property cropping
SPECIALIST VS BANK

Specialist vs Major Bank Header Finance

Side-by-side on the criteria that decide whether a Australia header 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 Header Finance Questions

Straight answers to the questions Australian transport operators ask most.

What types of headers can I finance in Australia?

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

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

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

Can I refinance an existing header 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 header 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 headers in one application?

Yes. We regularly settle multi-header 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 headers?

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

Low-doc header 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 header finance?

Pre-approval is a conditional finance approval issued before you commit to a header. 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 headers for broadacre grain harvest?

Yes. New, demo and used headers (combine harvesters) from John Deere, Case IH, New Holland, Claas and AGCO for broadacre wheat, barley, canola and pulse harvest are routinely financed through specialist lenders on our panel.

Can you finance headers on farm income and contract harvesting income?

Yes. Lenders on our panel score headers on farm income, BAS and active contract harvesting income. The header itself secures the loan.

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header finance specialists

Apply for Your Header Finance

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

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