Reliable & fast asset finance in Australia

Asset finance is a funding solution that helps Aussie businesses acquire the equipment they need without tying up their cash. Instead of paying the full cost of the asset upfront, you can spread the expense over time, keeping your cash flow flexible and your business moving forward. There are four common types of solutions including chattel mortgage, commercial hire purchase, operating lease, and finance lease.

Most Australian businesses (including sole traders) are eligible for asset finance!

We typically look for established businesses with a solid trading history, decent cash flow, and a clear plan for how the asset will increase your business performance. Lenders also need two years ABN and GST registration to be eligible for most low-doc and no-doc loans.

Whether you’re a small tradie in Perth or a growing SME in Sydney, we’ll find a financing solution that fits.

Our process is designed for business owners who need things done quickly. Depending on your loan type, documentation, and asset type, we can turn around an approval in 24-48 hours. Once approved, funds can be released within a couple of hours.

You can definitely refinance an existing asset but it will depend on the age, type of asset, the reason you want to refinance, the lender you’re with, and a few other factors. This is why it’s best to reach out to our team so we can help you reach your goals.

However, it’s worth considering how much interest you will need to pay, your monthly payments, and why you are refinancing.

Getting asset finance is pretty simple and common in Australia.

Asset loans generally use the asset itself as security, creating a financing structure that benefits both the lender and the business owner.

The process typically involves three key structures in the Australian market:

Chattel Mortgage

• Most common for businesses to purchase equipment they intend to own
• You borrow funds to purchase the asset
• The asset serves as collateral for the loan (like a normal mortgage for a house)
• Tax benefits include potential GST input credits and depreciation claims
• Ownership transfers to you immediately upon purchase so the asset it on your balance sheet

Finance Lease

• Ideal for businesses that want flexibility and lower upfront costs
• The lender purchases the asset and leases it to your business
• Usually shows on the balance sheet as well
• Regular fixed payments over an agreed term
• At term’s end, you can either purchase the asset, return it, or refinance to a new lease

Hire Purchase

• Similar to a secured loan
• You agree to purchase the asset over time through installments
• Asset ownership transfers to you at the end of the term
• Typically used for equipment with predictable value and lifespan

Most businesses opt for one of the above methods because it has the following benefits:

• Preserves working capital
• Potential tax advantages
• Faster equipment acquisition
• Predictable budgeting through fixed repayments
• Flexible structure to match business cash flow
• ATO recognises these structures and allows potential tax deductions and GST benefits

The golden rule is simple: assets must serve a clear business purpose.

While that sounds straightforward, lenders have specific criteria about what qualifies.

They’re looking at the asset’s potential to generate value for your business. This means they want to know the value of the asset and the full use of the asset.

In addition, most lenders have stringent policies about the types of assets they’ll finance based on resale value. These are usually categorised as primary, secondary, or tertiary (in some cases category A, B, or C).

• Primary assets: These are assets with the highest resale value and are the easiest to sell. These usually include cars, trucks, trailers, excavators, heavy machinery, and other earth-moving equipment. These assets carry the most attractive rates and terms.
• Secondary assets: These typically include medical equipment, food, and manufacturing equipment. They have a resale value but are not as easy to sell as a car. These assets have slightly less attractive rates and terms since they have less value.
• Tertiary assets: These assets have little to no value in the marketplace and are not easy to sell. They can include things like a 25-year-old trailer or a POS system. Tertiary assets carry much higher interest rates and less favourable terms since they are a major risk for the lender to finance.

Here are some of the most common assets we finance for our clients:

• Commercial transport fleet (trucks, vans, etc)
• Earthmoving equipment (excavators, bobcats, etc)
• Aviation and other related aircraft (planes)
• Construction and agricultural machinery
• Medical equipment and beauty equipment
• Office equipment and IT infrastructure (servers, laptops, printers, etc)
• Precision manufacturing tools
• Marine equipment (boats, jet skis, etc)
• Industry-specific equipment
• Other equipment (coffee machines, pilates reformers, etc)

Asset finance preserves your working capital by spreading the cost over time. Instead of a massive upfront payment, you make small and manageable monthly repayments. In some cases, you can opt for a higher balloon payment too which means you only need to pay a smaller lump sum at the end of the loan term. This means you can keep your cash to invest in the growth of your company, manage unexpected expenses, and keep your business agile.

Reducing your repayments comes down to a few core factors. Here’s what we recommend to our clients to keep costs low:

Loan term strategies

• Extend the loan term (more months = smaller repayments)
• Balance term length against total interest paid
• Consider 5-7 year terms for optimal flexibility

Deposit & upfront payment

• A larger initial deposit will always reduce the principal & result in less interest
• Lower borrowing amount means smaller monthly repayments
• Aim for 20-30% deposit if possible since you’ll also access lower rates (lenders like deposits)

Additional Tactics

• Choose assets with a strong resale value (Category A or Primary Assets have better rates)
• Negotiate equipment pricing before financing
• Consider residual payment structures (i.e. balloon payments)
• Compare multiple lender options
• Consider a full-documentation loan to access a better rate

Pro Tip: Don’t just chase the lowest repayment. The cheapest option isn’t always the most cost-effective long-term. A slightly higher repayment might save you thousands in total interest.

Our brokers will crunch the numbers and find a sweet spot between repayment size and overall loan cost.

Unfortunately, we can’t offer financial advise, so this is something you will need to discuss with your accountant. However, here are some things to consider about getting an asset loan:

• You will retain a lot of working capital which is critical for all businesses
• There are often tax advantages associated with an asset loan
• The faster you can acquire the asset the faster it can earn income

Yes, just because you have a bad credit rating does not mean you are ineligible.

Our lending specialists will help you access the assets you need regardless of your credit score or credit history.

Please keep in mind that a bad credit score tends to attract higher interest rates and less favourable finance solutions. You may be required to provide additional information.

Please schedule a 20-minute discovery call with our team today to learn how we can help you.

Stacked Finance is focused on the commercial market as opposed to consumer. We classify all of our clients as business customers.

This means we only help Australian businesses obtain equipment loans/asset loans or business loans.

Whether you need a new asset like a truck, ute, trailer, or digger, we can help. Our team is also skilled at providing working capital loans, cash flow finance, unsecured loans, startup loans, or any other specific type of business-related funding.

Feel free to also use our calculators to get an estimate for what your repayments may be.