Loader Finance for Civil and Earthmoving Operators

Chattel mortgage: you own the loader, claim depreciation and GST, and the lender holds security over the asset. Finance lease: the lender owns the loader and you make rental payments; GST is claimed on each payment. Most owner-operators run chattel mortgage for the depreciation benefit. Both available across the specialist panel.

Tax treatment depends on the structure you choose and current ATO rules. For FY26 the small business instant asset write-off threshold is $20,000 per asset for businesses under $10M turnover, subject to current ATO and legislative settings. Larger loader purchases generally fall under standard depreciation. For specific advice on your situation, consult your accountant.

Contract income recognition is how a specialist lender reads income from head-contractor purchase orders, ongoing civil contracts and project agreements rather than treating only PAYG salary as income. It matters for owner-operators and contractors whose income comes from civil contracts, not a fortnightly pay slip.

Low-doc loader finance is asset finance approved on a reduced document set, typically BAS, bank statements and the contract or quote, rather than full financials and tax returns. Best suited to established operators with an active ABN, contract income and trading history who don't have current-year financials prepared.

An Australian Credit Licence (ACL) is the ASIC authorisation required to engage in regulated credit activities in Australia. Equifund operates under ACL 389328. This means we are bound by responsible lending obligations and the National Consumer Credit Protection Act when arranging finance.

Buckets, forks, grapples, brooms and quick hitches can be funded in the same facility as the machine when they are listed on the supplier invoice. Bundling them keeps everything on one repayment and one credit decision, rather than paying for attachments out of working capital after settlement.

No, you do not need to own property to qualify. Equifund's specialist lender panel includes options that assess on the loader asset, your contract income and trading history rather than requiring property as security. This matters most for owner-operators, civil subbies and family businesses that don't want to lock the property folio.

$0 deposit is available for prime applications, especially established operators with active contracts or head-contractor agreements. New ABNs typically need some contribution, but $0 deposit on the right deal is common for ongoing operators with verifiable revenue.

Yes, a used loader or ex-fleet machine can be financed. Used loaders (including ex-fleet, ex-mining and end-of-life-cycle units), private sale, dealer auction and demonstrator purchases are all financeable through the specialist asset lenders we work with. Major banks typically have age cut-offs; specialist lenders look at machine condition, hours and service history rather than calendar age alone.

Yes, an existing loader loan can be refinanced. Refinance is common when an existing deal was settled at high rates, has an unfavourable structure (balloons, restrictive covenants), or is consolidating multiple machines into one master facility. We compare your current setup against the specialist panel and present options.

A new ABN is not an automatic decline. Lenders look for industry experience, a contract or quote for the work, and evidence you can service the repayment, so a first-time buyer coming out of years on the tools is a familiar profile. A deposit or a shorter term may be required on a newer ABN.

An active ABN, recent BAS or bank statements, the machine details including serial or PIN number, hours and year, and the supplier invoice or quote. If the work is contracted, the contract or purchase order helps. We confirm exactly what your lender match needs after a quick call.