Machinery and Plant
Excavators, bobcats, generators and other plant that does the heavy work on site. Financing spreads the cost over the years the machine earns.

The gear earns the money, so it makes sense to fund it in a way that fits how it is used and how long it lasts. Asset finance for tradies spreads the cost of the equipment your business runs on, from machinery to trailers to fit-outs, without draining the cash you need for materials and wages.
The question is not whether to finance the asset, but how. Ausfirst Lending Group works as a specialist equipment finance adviser, matching the structure, term and lender to the asset and how your business trades.
What you are buying and how it will be used.
How ownership, GST and repayments are handled.
How long the finance should run against the asset.
Paying cash for a big piece of gear can feel responsible, but it can leave the business thin for the next job. A broken machine or a trailer you cannot do without has a habit of arriving at the worst time. Asset finance keeps the equipment working while the cost is spread over its useful life, so the cash stays where the business needs it.
Asset finance covers most of the gear a trade business runs on:
Excavators, bobcats, generators and other plant that does the heavy work on site. Financing spreads the cost over the years the machine earns.
Box trailers, tipping trailers and fitted work trailers that keep tools and materials moving between jobs. These are often quick to finance against the asset itself.
Larger tool packages, workshop equipment and the hardware a modern trade business relies on. Bundling these can be simpler than paying piece by piece.
Vehicle fit-outs, workshop refits and the setup costs of a growing operation. Spreading these keeps working cash free for live jobs.
The structure decides who owns the asset and how the tax works:
You own the asset from day one and it secures the loan. This is the most common structure for tradies, and it can suit a business that wants ownership and the depreciation and goods and services tax (GST) treatment that go with it.
The lender owns the asset and you lease it over an agreed term, with options around the asset at the end. It can keep repayments predictable, depending on how you account for it.
You hire the asset and take ownership once the final payment is made. It sits between a lease and a chattel mortgage, and the right fit depends on how your accountant treats the gear.
Each structure affects ownership, GST and repayments differently, so confirm the treatment with your accountant.
A five year term on a tool that wears out in three leaves you paying for gear you have already replaced. The aim is to line the loan up with how long the asset earns. Longer terms lower the repayment but lift the total cost, and shorter terms cost less overall but ask more of monthly cashflow.
A balloon or residual is a lump sum left to the end of the term. It lowers your regular repayments but leaves a larger amount to pay, refinance or trade out of later. Whether it suits you depends on how long you plan to keep the asset and what the cashflow can carry.
Lenders treat the age and type of the asset differently, so what you buy shapes your options. New equipment usually attracts the widest lender appetite and the longest terms. Used or second-hand gear brings age, condition and valuation into the assessment, and specialised or older machinery can narrow the field of lenders further. A private sale may also need extra checks compared with a dealer purchase, so it is worth knowing the lender's stance before you commit to the asset.
For work vehicles specifically, vehicle finance for tradies is the closer fit.
How the purchase is treated at tax time can matter as much as the finance. Eligible small businesses may be able to use the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) instant asset write-off to immediately deduct the cost of qualifying assets, rather than depreciating them over several years, which can support cashflow in the year of purchase. Eligibility depends on your turnover, the cost of the asset and when it is first used or installed ready for use.
The instant asset write-off threshold, turnover limits and timing rules can change each financial year and are subject to legislation. Confirm what applies for the current year with your accountant.
A few things shape the rate and repayments on equipment finance:
The clearer the picture of the asset and the business, the smoother the assessment:
The right equipment can be the difference between taking a job and turning it down. Ausfirst Lending Group can compare structures, terms and lenders so the finance fits the asset and the business, not just the purchase price.
Discuss Your Equipment FinanceIt is finance used to buy business equipment such as machinery, trailers, tools, scaffolding and fit-out items. The asset usually helps secure the loan, and the structure is matched to the asset and how the business earns.
Often, yes. Lenders consider the age, condition, value, supplier and expected working life of the gear, so used equipment may come with different terms to new.
Not always. Some lenders may consider low-deposit or no-deposit options for suitable assets and strong applications. A deposit can still reduce the amount borrowed and the overall cost.
There may be tax and GST outcomes depending on the structure. These sit with your accountant, so confirm the treatment before you decide.
Possibly, though lender appetite varies. Bank statements, invoices, contracts and a clear business purpose can help support a newer ABN.
This page provides general information only. It does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs and is not financial, tax or legal advice. Lending is subject to lender criteria, terms, conditions and eligibility. Speak with a qualified accountant, solicitor or finance professional before making tax, legal or business decisions.

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