Get the equipment on site this week.
- Approvals often within 2 business days, funds paid direct to the supplier
- Loans from $20K to $5M
- Trades, transport operators, farmers, and self-employed ABN holders
- Trucks, excavators, trailers, medical and manufacturing equipment, new or used
- Full-doc (tax returns), low-doc or alt-doc (BAS, bank statements or an accountant's letter instead), and no-doc options, dealer or private sale
Equipment finance is how most businesses fund the things they need to operate: vehicles, trucks, excavators, machine tools, kitchen fit-outs, medical equipment, and IT. The loan is secured against the asset itself, which keeps the rate well below unsecured lending and means the funding does not tie up your property equity or your working capital. What varies is which lender will fund which asset, at what age, and on what documentation. Settled With Joe works across bank, non-bank, and specialist asset financiers, and Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you honestly and quickly what is achievable for your situation.
Who we can help access finance
- Trades and construction businesses funding utes, trucks, excavators, and attachments.
- Transport operators buying prime movers, trailers, and fleet vehicles.
- Manufacturers investing in machine tools, CNC equipment, and production lines.
- Hospitality operators funding a kitchen fit-out, refrigeration, or a coffee roasting setup.
- Medical, dental, and allied health practices financing chairs, imaging, and practice equipment.
- Self-employed borrowers and ABN holders who need the asset now and cannot produce two years of tax returns.
- Businesses replacing equipment that has failed unexpectedly and is holding up work.
- Owners refinancing existing equipment to release capital back into the business.
How Equipment and Asset Finance Works
The financier takes security over the asset being purchased and registers its interest on the Personal Property Securities Register. Because the loan is secured against something with resale value, rates sit well below unsecured business lending. Terms usually run from 1 to 7 years, matched broadly to the working life of the asset. Structures differ in their tax and accounting treatment: a chattel mortgage means you own the asset from day one, a lease means the financier owns it and you use it, and a hire purchase sits between the two. Which structure suits you is a question for your accountant, not for us. Joseph Farhat and his team review the asset, your trading position, and your documentation, match the scenario to the right financier from the 90+ panel, and manage the application through to settlement.
What Lenders Assess for Equipment and Asset Finance
The asset itself
type, age, and resale value drive everything. New and near-new assets from mainstream manufacturers get the sharpest rates and the longest terms.
Asset age at end of term
most financiers cap the age an asset can reach by the end of the loan, which is what shortens terms on older equipment.
Time in business
an established ABN with two or more years of trading opens up low-doc approvals. Newer businesses can still be funded, usually with a deposit or a property-backed structure.
Documentation available
many financiers will approve against an ABN and bank statements alone up to a set limit, above which full financials are required.
Serviceability
the lender needs to see the repayment fits alongside your existing commitments, including other equipment finance already in place.
Whether the asset is income-producing
equipment that directly generates revenue is assessed more favourably than a general-purpose purchase.
Supplier type
dealer and manufacturer purchases are simplest. Private sales and auction purchases are common but require extra verification and a PPSR check.
The Equipment Finance Process: What to Expect
- Talk to Joseph Farhat and his team about the asset, the amount, and what documentation you can produce. You will get an honest read on what is achievable before you apply anywhere.
- Provide the basics: the supplier invoice or quote, your ABN and structure details, and recent business bank statements. Full financials are often not required below the low-doc threshold.
- We match your scenario to the financiers on the panel most likely to approve the asset at a sensible rate, rather than relying on a single dealer offer. Every application is recorded as an enquiry on your credit file, so this step matters.
- The financier assesses the file and issues an approval setting out the rate, term, any balloon, and the fees. We go through it with you, including the total cost over the term, before you sign anything.
- Settlement is paid directly to the supplier, the financier registers its interest on the PPSR, and your repayments begin. The asset is yours to put to work.
Indicative Finance Options
| Lender Type | Indicative Rate | Typical Loan Range | Loan Term | Deposit Required | Speed to Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank | From ~7% p.a. | $20K to $5M | 1 to 7 years | Often none for new assets | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Non-Bank Lenders | From ~9.5% p.a. | $10K to $2M | 1 to 7 years | None to 20% | Within 2 business days |
| Private Finance | Not typically used for equipment and asset finance. Available for unique scenarios only. | ||||
Indicative figures only. Actual rates and terms depend on your project, financial position, property location, and lender assessment at the time of application. Rates are subject to change.
Why borrowers choose Settled With Joe for equipment and asset finance
We represent you, not the lender
Joseph Farhat and his team act in your interest from the first conversation through to settlement.
Dealer and supplier finance is one offer, not a comparison
it is convenient, and it is rarely the sharpest rate available to your business.
Asset policy is where deals fail
financiers differ sharply on asset age, type, and hours, and we know which ones will fund an older machine or a specialised piece of plant.
Low-doc thresholds vary
some financiers approve on an ABN and bank statements to a far higher limit than others, which can save you assembling full financials.
One conversation, not five applications
we approach the financiers most likely to approve your asset first, so fewer enquiries are recorded on your credit file.
90+ lenders on one panel
bank, non-bank, and specialist, so a well-documented file on a new asset can go to a bank at a sharper rate and an older or unusual asset still has options.
Structure is your accountant’s call, not ours
we will explain how chattel mortgage, lease, and hire purchase differ, and leave the tax decision with your adviser.
Private finance for unique scenarios
where bank and non-bank lenders are not the right fit, we can introduce you to private finance options.
Usually no direct cost to you
as a broker we are typically paid by the lender on settlement.
An honest answer early
if the equipment has failed and work is stopped, tell us early and we will tell you what is realistically achievable.
Frequently asked questions
What is equipment and asset finance?
Equipment and asset finance is funding secured against the item being purchased, whether that is a vehicle, truck, item of plant, machine, or fit-out. Because the asset provides the security, rates sit well below unsecured business lending and the funding does not tie up your property equity or working capital. Terms usually run from 1 to 7 years, matched broadly to the working life of the asset, with fixed repayments.
What can I finance?
Most income-producing business assets: utes, trucks, trailers, excavators and earthmoving plant, forklifts, machine tools and CNC equipment, agricultural machinery, commercial kitchen and refrigeration fit-outs, medical and dental equipment, and IT hardware. Specialised and single-purpose assets are fundable but narrow the financier list. If you are unsure whether your asset qualifies, ask us before you commit to the purchase.
How fast can equipment finance be approved and funded?
Low-doc approvals on standard assets can come through the same day, with settlement to the supplier often within 2 business days. Bank facilities and larger or more specialised assets take longer, commonly 1 to 3 weeks, because full financials and asset verification are involved. Where a breakdown has stopped work, Joseph Farhat and his team will identify the fastest appropriate financier on the panel and manage the process to keep it moving.
Can I finance used or older equipment?
Yes, though asset age is the single biggest constraint on this product. Most financiers cap the age an asset can reach by the end of the loan term, commonly 10 to 15 years depending on the asset class, which is what shortens available terms on older equipment. Hours on plant matter as much as age. Some financiers on the panel are far more comfortable with older machinery than others, and knowing which is often the difference between an approval and a decline.
Do I need a deposit?
Often not. New and near-new assets purchased from a dealer can frequently be funded at 100% of the invoice, sometimes including delivery and installation. A deposit is more likely to be required for older assets, private sales, specialised equipment, or newer ABNs. Where a deposit is not required, it can still be worth contributing one, because it reduces the amount financed and can improve the rate.
Can I get equipment finance with low-doc or no-doc?
Often, yes. Low-doc equipment finance is well established: many financiers will approve against your ABN, GST registration, and recent bank statements up to a set limit without full financials. Those limits vary considerably between lenders, which is worth knowing before you assemble paperwork you may not need. Above the threshold, full financials generally apply and price better in return. Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you which financiers on the panel suit your documentation.
Do you work with borrowers with bad credit?
Yes, we do. Defaults, past arrears, or a director with a mark on their personal file do not rule you out of equipment finance, and it is not something we will make you feel awkward about. Because the financier holds security over a resaleable asset, several lenders on our panel will price for the risk rather than decline it, particularly where a deposit is available. What helps most is telling us early, so we approach the right financier first instead of adding enquiries to your file. Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you honestly what is achievable before you apply anywhere.
What is a balloon payment?
A balloon, sometimes called a residual, is a lump sum left owing at the end of the term. It lowers your monthly repayment because you are financing less over the term, but the balloon still has to be paid, refinanced, or covered by selling the asset, and you pay more interest overall. Balloons are common on vehicles and less common on plant that will be worked hard. We will show you the repayment and the total cost both with and without one so you can compare properly.
Why work with Settled With Joe to finance your equipment?
Because you get one conversation instead of a round of applications, and a genuine comparison rather than whatever the supplier has arranged. Most of the people we help with equipment finance are self-employed business owners, tradies, contractors, and operators who need an asset working to keep earning, often at short notice after a breakdown or a job that has been won. Those situations are not unusual to us and there is no judgement in the conversation. What matters is the asset, your trading position, and the documentation you can produce. Financier policy on asset age, hours, and low-doc limits varies enormously, and knowing which lender will fund a 12-year-old machine is not something a borrower can easily find out. Our panel covers 90+ bank, non-bank, and specialist lenders. We are based in Sydney and work with borrowers Australia-wide. Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you honestly and early whether we can help and what is realistically achievable in your timeframe.
Do you give financial advice?
No. We do not guide you on your finances, nor give financial advice. We focus on outcomes and solutions of presenting your unique scenario to the right lender so you can access funding in a timely and compliant manner.
Do you help with equipment finance outside Sydney?
Yes. Settled With Joe is based in Sydney and arranges equipment and asset finance Australia-wide, covering both metro and regional areas. We work with clients in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra, as well as regional areas including Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Toowoomba. Financier appetite varies by asset class and industry more than by location on this product. Joseph Farhat and his team will identify which lenders on the panel are the best fit for your asset and timeframe.
