Equipment Finance Australia
— Compare Structures, Calculate Repayments, Apply
Get the vehicles, equipment and machinery you need to scale your business without large upfront costs.
Get equipment finance in 3 steps
Contact our team
Fill out our online form to apply for an equipment loan. We’ll get in touch with you fast to understand your situation and make a recommendation.
Submit your application
We’ll expertly handle your application from start to finish. Some lenders can approve equipment loans in under 1 hour.
Get funded
Once approved, documentation is signed electronically, making settlement fast. Once settled, the lender forwards the payment to the dealer or seller, and you can get your equipment.
What is Equipment Financing?
Business equipment financing in Australia is a type of business loan specifically designed to help businesses purchase equipment. Instead of paying the full cost upfront, you spread the cost over time through instalments. The equipment being financed usually serves as security for the loan.
You can finance a wide range of assets, including vehicles, yellow goods, machinery, medical equipment, office fitouts, and technology. Both new and used equipment can be financed, depending on the lender and asset type.
Features
Benefits
What can you use equipment finance for?
Vehicles & Transport
Trucks, utes, vans, trailers, and commercial fleets for any industry.
Construction & Civil
Excavators, loaders, cranes, and yellow goods with no age restrictions.
Manufacturing
Plant and machinery, production lines, and industrial equipment.
Hospitality & Retail
Commercial kitchen equipment, fit-outs, POS systems, and refrigeration.
Medical & Allied Health
Diagnostic equipment, dental chairs, imaging systems, and surgical tools.
Technology & IT
Computers, servers, software systems, and office fit-outs.
Agriculture
Tractors, harvesters, irrigation, and farm equipment of any age.
Trades & Services
Power tools, scissor lifts, workshop equipment, and service vehicles.
Equipment Loans Eligibility and Requirements
No Doc
No doc equipment finance is popular among SMEs, sole traders, and businesses seeking assets valued at less than $300,000. The requirements for no doc equipment loans are:
Low Doc
For low doc finance, businesses can secure up to $1,000,000 in lending, with the assessment primarily based on a read only view of bank statements, the director being a property owner and credit scores. The equipment financing requirements for low doc loans are:
Full Doc
To qualify for full doc equipment finance, you’ll generally need to provide the following:
Compare all equipment finance options
| Feature | Chattel Mortgage | Equipment Line | Finance Lease | Hire Purchase | Operating Lease | Rent to Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership during term | Business owns asset | Business owns each asset financed | Lender owns the asset, with choice to buy or return the asset after | Ownership transfers after final payment | Lender owns asset | Provider owns the asset during rental term |
| Security | Asset being financed | Multiple assets under approved limit | Lease option, no security | Lease option, no security | Lease option, no security | Asset remains owned by provider until final transfer |
| Typical use | Vehicles, machinery, equipment | Ongoing equipment purchases | Businesses wanting lease flexibility | Businesses wanting eventual ownership | Shorter term asset usage | Businesses wanting eventual ownership |
| Best suited for | Businesses purchasing equipmentd | Businesses regularly acquiring equipment | Businesses wanting the option to own or return the equipment later on | Businesses wanting ownership without upfront purchase | Businesses wanting to avoid ownership riske | Businesses with credit issues, startups, or cash flow pressure |
| Deposit required | Only for startups or those with bad credit | Only for startups or those with bad credit | Usually low or none | Usually low or none | Usually low or none | Deposit and no deposit options available |
| Tax treatment | Interest and depreciation may be deductible | Interest and depreciation may be deductible | Lease payments may be deductible | Lease payments may be deductible | Lease payments may be deductible | Entire rental payment may be expensed depending on accounting treatment |
| Balloon or residual option | Common | Common | Lease option, no balloon payment | Lease option, no balloon payment | Lease option, no balloon payment | Final ownership payment may apply |
| Loan term | Fixed term | Revolving approved limit with fixed contracts | Fixed lease term | Fixed lease term | Fixed lease term | Flexible rental term |
Interest Rates for Equipment Loans in Australia
Interest rates for equipment loans typically range from 5% to 15% p.a., but can vary based on different factors. Pricing is influenced by:
- Credit profile of the business and directors
- Time in business
- Asset type and age
- Loan amount and term
- Lender policy
Not a straightforward application? We handle that.
Can I Get Equipment Finance With Bad Credit?
If you have bad credit and have been rejected by traditional lenders like banks, there’s still hope. Plenty of non bank or alternative lenders offer bad credit equipment loans all over Australia.
Bad credit equipment financing refers to loans specifically designed for businesses and directors with imperfect credit scores. These financing options are tailored to accommodate businesses with low credit scores, offering flexible terms and better chances of approval than with banks.
While interest rates may be higher compared to traditional loans, bad credit equipment financing provides an opportunity for businesses to access essential equipment.
Can I Finance Older Equipment for my Business?
Yes, you can finance older equipment for your business. A number of specialist non bank lenders in Australia accept machinery and vehicles with no age limits at all.
Older gear is common in transport, civil construction, trades, agriculture, waste services, mechanical workshops, and small fleet operations. Lenders understand that not every business can buy new. Some even specialise in funding assets that have years of use. What matters is whether the equipment still has useful life and whether the numbers work for your business.
In some cases, a valuation may be required, dependent on lender policy. The lender will seek to establish the value of the asset and assess its condition. However, most of the time, valuations are not needed.
$300K Equipment Finance Line Approved with a No Doc application
A retail business needed to fund a new store fitout and had to move quickly. They'd secured the location and were ready to begin works, but couldn't afford delays.
We recommended a non-bank equipment finance line of credit. The facility covered not just equipment with a VIN or serial number, but also commercial fitout costs including plumbing and electrical.
The application was assessed using a read only view of the business bank statements and a builder’s quote. No financials or ATO portals were required.
As the fitout progressed, the business simply uploaded builder invoices at each stage. Funds were released within 24 hours of each submission, keeping trades paid and the project moving without interruption.
The result was a fully funded fitout delivered on schedule, without delays or unnecessary documentation.
Get a similar resultEstimate your equipment loan repayments
Estimate only. Does not include fees, charges, or stamp duty. Consult a finance professional before making decisions.
Rates typically range 5%–15% p.a. depending on your profile, asset type, and lender. Contact us for an accurate quote.
Apply nowFrequently asked questions
Why businesses choose Dark Horse Financial
Access to a broad range of lenders
We work with banks, non bank lenders, private lenders, and specialist equipment finance providers to match businesses with lenders suited to their industry, asset type, and financial position.
Solutions for complex scenarios
We assist businesses with tax debt, credit issues, low doc applications, startups, and urgent settlements where standard lenders may not be suitable.
Fast turnaround times
We understand that timing matters when securing equipment, replacing machinery, or taking on new contracts, so we work to move quickly through the process.
Ready to get your equipment funded?
Talk to our team — we'll match you with the right lender and structure for your situation.