Quick answer
Equipment finance lets a tradie get tools, plant or machinery now and pay for it over time, so cash stays available for wages and materials. Options include a loan, a lease or a cash flow facility used for the purchase. Property-secured business loans run from $20k to $5m, unsecured options typically $5k to $500k, and your first enquiry involves no credit check.
Key points
- Spread the cost of kit across the months it earns money
- Loan, lease or ownership: the structure matters as much as the price
- Lenders look at what the asset is, how easy it is to resell and how your business trades
- New or second-hand can both work when the machine is documented
- No credit check when you first enquire, and your details are not sprayed around
A tradie’s equipment is the business. A tipped-over compressor, a worn-out saw or an old skid steer that spends more time in the workshop than on site costs jobs, and a better machine often pays for itself in work you can finally take on. The hard part is that good kit is expensive in one hit, while the jobs it wins pay in dribs and drabs.
This hub is the starting point for every piece of equipment finance on the site. It explains the options, how lenders think, and where to go for your particular machine.
What is equipment finance, and how does it work for a tradie?
You choose the equipment, a lender funds it, and you repay over an agreed term. The cost is spread across the months the machine is earning, instead of landing on one bank statement. How it is set up varies:
- A business loan used for the purchase. You own the equipment from day one. Unsecured options typically run from $5k to $500k, while property-secured loans run from $20k to $5m.
- A lease or hire-style arrangement. The lender holds ownership while you use the machine, with a decision at the end of the term.
- A cash flow facility. For smaller purchases, a working-capital line can cover the cost, leaving the bigger asset finance for the heavy plant.
The buy vs lease vs loan guide walks through the trade-offs in more detail.
How do lenders look at the equipment?
An asset-backed purchase is easier to assess than a general loan because the machine itself says something about the risk. Lenders tend to ask:
- How easy is it to resell? A common brand of excavator holds its place in the market better than a rare import.
- How old is it, and what do the hours or condition reports say?
- Is the seller a dealer, an auction or a private party?
- Does the machine suit what your business actually does?
Then they look at you: how long you have traded, what comes into the business account and how steady it is. That mix is why a tradie with modest paperwork can still be considered when the asset is solid.
What drives the cost of kit?
We do not quote prices because they move with the market, but the same few factors set the bill almost everywhere:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| New or second-hand | New costs more up front but carries warranty and support |
| Brand and model | Well-known names usually hold resale value |
| Size and capacity | A bigger machine means a bigger commitment |
| Attachments and accessories | Buckets, augers, trailers and tooling add up |
| Delivery, set-up and training | Often forgotten in the first quote |
| Insurance and servicing | Ongoing costs that continue after purchase |
Where do I find finance for my specific equipment?
Pick the page closest to your gear:
Tools and smaller kit
- Equipment loans for tradies
- Tool finance
- Power tool finance
- Welding equipment finance
- Compressor and generator finance
- Diagnostic equipment finance
- Solar and electrical test equipment
- HVAC equipment finance
- Lawn and landscaping equipment finance
Earthmoving and heavy plant
- Excavator finance
- Skid steer finance
- Bobcat and loader finance
- Crane and EWP finance
- Tipper truck finance
- Trailer finance
Building and concrete
How to structure it
- Instant asset write-off
- Buy vs lease vs loan
- Second-hand equipment finance
- Equipment finance with bad credit
- Equipment finance with no deposit
Want a quick read on where you stand?
If you already know the machine you want, you can tell us about the purchase in about a minute. There is no credit check at the first stage, and a real person looks at what you send.
What tax angle should I know about?
Equipment purchased for the business may be deductible, and the ATO’s simplified depreciation rules for small business currently set a $20,000 limit for the instant asset write-off, for businesses with turnover under $10m. The rules and the dates they apply to have been extended before, so confirm the position for the year you buy with the ATO or your accountant. Our instant asset write-off page goes through how to think about timing without relying on a deadline.
How do I tell if a machine will pay for itself?
Work it backwards. How many extra jobs or hours does it unlock? What would you otherwise pay in hire fees or subcontracting? What does it cost each month once repayments, insurance and servicing are counted? The equipment payback calculator does the arithmetic, and it is worth running it before you sign anything. If hiring in a machine for a few days a year costs less than owning one, that is a valid answer too.
What about downtime, insurance and servicing?
A machine that is off the road for a week costs more than the repayment. Budget for servicing, check that your insurance covers the equipment on site and in transit, and work out what you would do if it failed mid-job. Some tradies keep a small buffer, or a cash flow loan in reserve, for exactly this.
Ready to see if you qualify?
Whether it is a set of cordless tools or a tracked excavator, the next step is the same. Tell us what you want to buy, how you trade and what you can put in. You will not be credit-checked on that first enquiry, your details will not be shopped to a queue of lenders, and a person who understands the trades will work through your situation. Accurate answers help us match you properly the first time, so start your equipment enquiry when you are ready.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as equipment for a tradie?
Anything that does productive work in the business and is not a registered road vehicle: hand and power tools, welders, compressors, generators, scaffolding, excavators, skid steers, concrete gear, diagnostic tools and similar. Utes, vans and trucks are handled separately through our vehicle finance pages.
Do I need a deposit?
Not always. A deposit or other security can make approval easier and the repayments lighter, but some situations suit no-deposit structures. It depends on the asset, the amount and your trading history, so say what you can put in on the form.
Is it better to lease, borrow or pay cash?
Paying cash is simplest but ties up working capital. A loan builds ownership as you repay. A lease can lower the early outlay and may include an end-of-term decision. Your accountant can tell you how each sits with your tax position.
Can I finance second-hand equipment?
Often yes, particularly where the age, hours and condition are documented and the seller is identifiable. Auction and private purchases can be harder than dealer sales, so describe the deal accurately.
Can I get equipment finance with a default on file?
It is considered case by case. Recent trading, how the machine will earn and any security you can offer all count, so be upfront about the history.
How fast can equipment finance be organised?
It depends on the amount, the paperwork and whether property security is involved. Smaller unsecured amounts can sometimes move quickly, but timing is never guaranteed.
Short on time? Enquire right here
About 60 seconds. No credit check when you first enquire, and a real person calls you back.