Financing machinery that's still being built or shipped from overseas
The machine you need doesn't exist in Australia yet.
It's being built in a factory somewhere, or it's on a ship. And you're wondering whether you can even get finance for an asset you can't see, can't touch, and doesn't have a serial number yet. The answer is yes, we've done it. But it works differently from financing a machine that's sitting on a lot down the road.
Key Takeaways
Can I finance machinery that's still being built or shipped? Yes, but it's more involved than a standard deal.
When does funding actually happen? Usually when the asset lands in Australia, not when you order it.
What do I need first? A pre-approval, then a deposit to secure the order with the manufacturer or builder.
What's the smart move? Speak to us before you commit, so the order, the deposit and the finance line up.
Why is this different from a normal purchase?
Because the asset isn't there yet.
With a normal purchase, the machine exists, it has a serial number, and the lender can value it and secure against it the day you settle. With machinery still being built or shipped, none of that is true yet. The asset is a promise from a manufacturer or a builder, and the lender has nothing physical to secure against until it lands.
Lenders don't love that. But they'll do it. The deal just needs to be structured around the gap between when you order and when the asset arrives. It's a specialist corner of asset finance, and the people who get it right are the ones who line everything up before they order.
Don't expect the money on the day you sign the order. More often than not, the loan doesn't fund until the asset lands in Australia. Budget for the deposit out of your own funds and plan around that timing.
What's the order to do it in?
Get pre-approved first, then commit to the order.
The sequence that works is this: come and talk to us before you sign anything. We'll get you pre-approved, so you know the deal can be funded and roughly what it'll cost. Then you take that certainty to the manufacturer or builder, put down the deposit to secure the order, and the machine goes into build or onto a ship.
From there, the finance waits for the asset. When it lands, the loan funds, and the deal settles. Getting pre-approval first is what stops you from committing to an expensive order and only then finding out the finance won't line up. You can get a sense of the numbers any time with our machinery finance calculator.
Do I need a deposit?
Yes, and you should expect to show it's been paid.
The deposit does two jobs. It secures your order with the manufacturer or builder, and it shows the lender you're genuinely committed. Lenders want to see that the deposit has actually been put down before they'll take the rest of the deal seriously.
If you can leave a bit more deposit than the minimum, it helps. Lenders like a file with skin in the game, and it means they're less likely to dig deep into every other part of the application.
What about serial numbers?
This is the practical hurdle most people hit.
A lender securing against an asset wants a serial number, a build plate, something that identifies the exact machine. Machinery that's still being built often doesn't have one yet, and that's where these deals get tricky. The workaround is to get the pre-approval in place first, so the structure and the price are agreed, and then confirm the serial number once the machine is built and assigned.
It's one of those things that sounds like a small detail and turns out to be the whole game. Getting ahead of it is exactly why you talk to us before you order.
What about a long build or assembly time?
The longer the gap between order and delivery, the more the lender wants to see.
If the machine has a long build or a complicated assembly once it lands, we work something out with the lender that accounts for that timeline. It might mean the structure has more room for the delay, or that certain steps happen at certain milestones. The key is that the lender knows the timeline up front, rather than finding out about a six-month delay at settlement.
The honest version: this is where having done it before matters. We've worked through a couple of these, and the ones that go smoothly are the ones where the timeline was laid out clearly at the start.
Where to from here
If you're about to order machinery that's being built or shipped, talk to us about equipment finance before you sign. Getting pre-approved first turns a complicated, uncertain purchase into a sequence you can plan around.
General information only. This article provides general information and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Stacked Finance Pty Ltd is a credit representative under Viking Asset Aggregation and provides commercial finance services only. Consider whether the information is appropriate for your circumstances and seek advice from your accountant or financial adviser before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get finance for machinery that hasn't been built yet?
Yes. Lenders will do it, but it's more involved, and you'll need a pre-approval and a deposit to secure the order before the build begins.
When does the finance actually fund?
Usually when the asset lands in Australia, not when you order it. The loan waits for the asset to exist and be identifiable.
Do I need a serial number to get finance?
Eventually, yes. The lender needs to identify the exact machine to secure against it. Pre-approval happens first, and the serial number is confirmed once the machine is built.
How much deposit do I need for machinery being built?
It depends on the order and the lender, but expect to put down a deposit to secure the build and to show the lender you're committed.
Can I finance equipment being shipped from overseas?
Yes. It works the same way, with the loan typically funding once the equipment arrives in the country.
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Luciano Viterale is a Director and the Head of Growth at Stacked Finance. He previously co-founded and sold Ticker Nerd, an investing newsletter. Before that, he worked for Rippling, Finder, and the Reserve Bank of Australia. These days, he helps Aussie business owners grow through better finance options.