WHO THIS IS FOR

$0 Deposit Truck Finance for Australian Operators

$0 deposit truck finance is for established Australian ABN holders with a clean credit file, two-plus years trading, GST registration, BAS or bank-statement income, and a new or late-model truck from a recognised dealer. Owner-drivers, small-fleet linehaul, 3PL contractors, refrigerated FMCG, port drayage, last-mile and bulk haulage operators that fit this profile sit inside the prime window specialist lenders use to approve $0 deposit. Outside that window? Still welcome. A deposit may apply and we structure to fit, including low-doc commercial finance and broader truck finance.

Comparing your options? Compare the best truck finance options in Australia before you apply.

One structured submission to specialist truck and transport lenders. No multi-lender credit hits. Pre-approval indicates fit; final terms subject to a full lender credit and verification check. Equifund Financial Group Pty Ltd, Australian Credit Licence 389328.

  • Upgrading ageing trucks 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.

SPECIALIST vs BANK vs DEALER

Equifund vs Bank vs Dealer Finance

How $0 deposit truck finance compares across the three places ABN holders can fund a truck.

Equifund, commercial finance specialistMajor bankDealer finance
Who they lend toEstablished ABN holders, sole traders to fleets, assessed on the business and the asset.Prefers strong financials or PAYG strength, often backed by property.Whoever is buying that brand at the desk, on a take-it-or-leave-it offer.
Income assessedFreight, contract and BAS income. Low-doc for established ABNs, no full tax returns.Full financials and tax returns usually required.Limited, tied to the sale, not your wider business.
Lender choice80+ Australian lenders matched to your deal.One bank, one credit template.One or two aligned financiers only.
Rate & structureMarket-tested rate, with balloon and 3 to 7 year terms and extra repayments.Standard products with limited flexibility.Rate loaded with dealer margin, and high balloons that flatter the monthly but cost more.
Used, private & auctionNew, used, ex-fleet, private-sale and auction all financed.Restrictive on used, private and auction buys.Usually the dealer's own stock only.
Deposit & security$0 deposit for prime applications, secured on the truck, not your home.Deposit and often property security required.Varies, frequently bundled with add-ons.
Pre-approval speedTypically inside 24 to 48 hours.5 to 10 business days on average.Fast at the desk, but the offer is fixed.
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS

How $0 Deposit Truck 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 transport business and the truck or trailer you are financing through our secure online form.

02
Group (4)

Speak With a Truck Finance Specialist

An Australia-based truck 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 freight 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 $0 Deposit Truck Finance Results

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

"Linehaul contract for a national 3PL underwrote a four-trailer order across curtain-sider and skel plus a new prime mover. Cody had us settled on one chattel mortgage with one credit decision."

Mick, Operations Manager
National linehaul

"Port drayage contract from a major port to inland intermodal added two more prime movers on the back of the contract. Terry structured a chattel mortgage with a term that matched the contract's three-year run."

Hannah, Director
Port drayage

"Refrigerated FMCG run with steady year-round volume. Equifund put it with a lender that scored on the recurring shipper contract and structured repayments to the weekly payment cycle."

Carly, Operations Manager
Refrigerated FMCG

"Interstate freight on a national 3PL contract. Jason matched us with a lender that scored on the recurring 3PL contract income and the active job book."

Wayne, Operations Manager
Interstate corridor

"Bought an ex-fleet prime mover at a major company auction, low kilometres and clean books. Equifund had us pre-approved before walking in so the bid stood up against finance buyers in the room."

Brett, Owner-Driver
Owner-driver

"Linehaul contract for a national 3PL underwrote a four-trailer order across curtain-sider and skel plus a new prime mover. Cody had us settled on one chattel mortgage with one credit decision."

Mick, Operations Manager
National linehaul

"Port drayage contract from a major port to inland intermodal added two more prime movers on the back of the contract. Terry structured a chattel mortgage with a term that matched the contract's three-year run."

Hannah, Director
Port drayage

"Refrigerated FMCG run with steady year-round volume. Equifund put it with a lender that scored on the recurring shipper contract and structured repayments to the weekly payment cycle."

Carly, Operations Manager
Refrigerated FMCG

"Interstate freight on a national 3PL contract. Jason matched us with a lender that scored on the recurring 3PL contract income and the active job book."

Wayne, Operations Manager
Interstate corridor

"Bought an ex-fleet prime mover at a major company auction, low kilometres and clean books. Equifund had us pre-approved before walking in so the bid stood up against finance buyers in the room."

Brett, Owner-Driver
Owner-driver

"Cold-chain distribution across regional and metro routes required a refrigerated upgrade on three trucks plus two refrigerated trailers. Jake found a lender that scored on the cold-chain contracts and approved the whole upgrade."

Lisa, GM
Cold chain

"Stepped up from sub-contract driving on mining and resource haulage to running our own prime mover and trailer combination. Alex structured a chattel mortgage with the right balloon to align with the contract's progress payments."

Beau, Owner-Driver
Resource haulage

"Last-mile e-commerce contract on a national platform underwrote five new rigids plus four cargo vans across the metro distribution loop. They put us with a lender that scored on the e-commerce contract pipeline."

Brad, Operations Manager
Last-mile e-commerce

"Cattle haul on regional routes down to saleyards and back. Steady district contracts. John found a lender that scored on the recurring saleyard contracts and the active pastoral pipeline."

Murray, Owner-Driver
Livestock haulage

"Picked up a regional fuel distributor contract across interstate corridors. Tom structured a chattel mortgage with a balloon to match the seasonal income pattern."

Hayden, Director
Fuel haulage

"Cold-chain distribution across regional and metro routes required a refrigerated upgrade on three trucks plus two refrigerated trailers. Jake found a lender that scored on the cold-chain contracts and approved the whole upgrade."

Lisa, GM
Cold chain

"Stepped up from sub-contract driving on mining and resource haulage to running our own prime mover and trailer combination. Alex structured a chattel mortgage with the right balloon to align with the contract's progress payments."

Beau, Owner-Driver
Resource haulage

"Last-mile e-commerce contract on a national platform underwrote five new rigids plus four cargo vans across the metro distribution loop. They put us with a lender that scored on the e-commerce contract pipeline."

Brad, Operations Manager
Last-mile e-commerce

"Cattle haul on regional routes down to saleyards and back. Steady district contracts. John found a lender that scored on the recurring saleyard contracts and the active pastoral pipeline."

Murray, Owner-Driver
Livestock haulage

"Picked up a regional fuel distributor contract across interstate corridors. Tom structured a chattel mortgage with a balloon to match the seasonal income pattern."

Hayden, Director
Fuel haulage
FAQ

Common Truck Finance Questions

Straight answers to the questions Australian transport operators ask most.

What types of trucks can I finance in Australia?

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

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

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

Can I refinance an existing truck 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 truck 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 trucks in one application?

Yes. We regularly settle multi-truck 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 trucks?

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

Low-doc truck 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 truck finance?

Pre-approval is a conditional finance approval issued before you commit to a truck. 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 a prime mover plus trailers together on one application?

Yes. Specialist transport lenders on our panel routinely score truck-and-trailer combinations (B-doubles, semi-trailer plus prime mover, prime mover plus refrigerated trailer plus skel) as one chattel mortgage with one credit decision, secured on the freight income and the assets.

Will the lender take active shipper contracts as security instead of property?

Yes. Lenders on our panel routinely score truck finance on the recurring shipper, 3PL, port drayage or freight contract income, plus the asset value, without asking for property security on top.

Does the loan structure suit irregular freight income?

Yes. Specialist transport lenders structure repayments to align with the contract's payment cycle (weekly grocery distribution, contract progress claims, day-rate drayage, seasonal bulk haulage), rather than forcing calendar-month repayments.

BEYOND TRUCKS

Other Equipment We Finance with $0 Deposit

Equifund finances every major commercial asset class for prime ABN profiles, from utes and trailers to excavators, tractors and yellow goods, backed by 80+ lenders.

Equifund finance specialist on call
truck finance specialists

Apply for Your Truck Finance

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

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