Stacked Finance

Equipment Finance Calculator Australia

Understand the details of an equipment loan and monthly repayments using the equipment finance calculator. Our equipment loan calculator is general and only designed to give you an estimate. It does not consider all aspects of an equipment loan such as balloon payments, fees, terms, and criteria. Please reach out to our team for a quick and accurate quote.

Equipment details
Buying or refinancing?

Chattel mortgage – A loan that is secured by the asset you purchase.

Loan details
$
$
5 years
6.99%

Estimated repayment

$1,782 / monthly

Amount financed
$90,000
Deposit
$10,000
Balloon amount
$0
Loan term
5 years
Interest rate
6.99% p.a.
Total interest
$16,901
Total payable
$106,901

Your figures above are attached to the message — no re-typing.

Estimate only — not a quote or an offer of finance.

Excellent reviews from Aussie businesses

From a $15,000 compressor to a $500,000 CNC

Equipment finance spans an enormous range, and the same fundamentals apply at both ends. The asset is the security, the business is the borrower, and the lender prices the deal on how easy that asset is to identify, recover and resell.

A $15,000 compressor and a $500,000 CNC machine are the same product and a completely different conversation. The small one sits in a wide, liquid lender pool. The large one is a specialist asset, and the questions change from whether you can be funded to how the machine is installed, moved and valued.

What makes equipment easier or harder to fund?

Lenders sort equipment into bands by how easy it is to identify, recover and resell.

Equipment typeHow lenders see itEffect on the deal
Mobile plant (excavators, loaders, forklifts)Deep resale, easy to identifyWidest lender pool, sharpest rates
Fixed or installed machinery (CNC, production lines)Harder to remove, specialist buyersSmaller lender pool, standard rates
Hospitality and fitout (espresso machines, ovens)Secondary asset, smaller second-hand marketFewer lenders, sometimes a deposit is asked for
Custom or one-off equipmentNo comparable resaleHardest to place, often needs equity

The band matters more than the price. A hospitality machine sits in a narrower pool than an excavator, and a custom one-off sits in a narrower pool again.

Serial numbers stand in for number plates

Equipment has no registration, so a lender identifies the asset by serial number, build plate and condition, and insurance is arranged as plant and equipment cover rather than vehicle cover.

None of this makes the deal harder. It just means the paperwork points at a serial number instead of a number plate, and the serial number is the proof the machine is the one you bought.

Bolted to the floor, or moved between sites?

A mobile asset is easy for a lender to recover and resell, which is exactly what a lender is thinking about when it prices a deal. A machine bolted to the factory floor is not going anywhere, so the lender leans on your business rather than the machine. That shows up in the rate and the deposit.

Specialist resale sets the rate

We financed a $24,000 commercial espresso machine for a café in Perth. Hospitality equipment is a secondary asset. It holds value while it is serviced and there is a real second-hand market, but the pool of lenders writing it is smaller than the pool writing excavators and trucks. That is the whole difference, and it is the reason a café owner is often told a deposit is required when it is not.

This one settled with nothing down. No deposit is available up to $150,000, subject to your profile and the asset, and a $24,000 machine sits comfortably inside that, especially for a client that had been operating for over 3 years.

Is new or used equipment easier to finance?

New equipment qualifies for the sharpest rates and the longest terms. Used equipment is financed all the time, but it is judged on condition, hours and what it will be worth at the end of the term, so the rate and the term follow the specific asset rather than the age alone.

Worked examples

An $18,000 compressor over two terms

$18,000 at 6.99% p.a. (an illustrative assumption) with no deposit and no balloon, repaid monthly. The small end of equipment finance.

  • 3 years: $555.71 per month, $2,005 total interest
  • 5 years: $356.34 per month, $3,380 total interest

A $500,000 CNC machine over three terms

$500,000 at 6.99% p.a. (an illustrative assumption) with no deposit and no balloon, repaid monthly. A large installed machine, where the term you choose swings the monthly figure by thousands.

  • 3 years: $15,436.26 per month, $55,705 total interest
  • 5 years: $9,898.24 per month, $93,894 total interest
  • 7 years: $7,543.90 per month, $133,687 total interest

An $85,000 forklift, with and without a balloon

$85,000 over 5 years at 6.99% p.a. (illustrative), no deposit, repaid monthly. A 30% balloon of $25,500 is paid as a lump sum at the end.

  • No balloon: $1,682.70 per month, $15,962 total interest
  • 30% balloon ($25,500): $1,326.43 per month, $20,086 total interest

What affects your equipment finance rate

Eight things move the rate on equipment, and the asset type usually does more work than your credit file.

Asset type

Mobile plant like excavators and forklifts prices sharpest, fixed machinery sits in the middle, and custom or hospitality equipment prices wider because the resale pool is smaller.

The asset age

New equipment qualifies for the sharpest rates and the longest terms. Used equipment is priced on condition, hours and what it will be worth at the end of the term.

Hours or usage

On a used machine the hour meter does the work an odometer does on a truck. Low hours with a service history prices better than high hours with no record.

Fixed or mobile

A mobile asset is easy to recover and resell, so lenders price it better than a machine bolted to the factory floor.

The deposit

A deposit lowers the amount borrowed and the lender risk. No deposit is available up to $150,000, subject to your profile and the asset.

Your documentation

A full doc application usually prices sharper than a low doc one, because the lender can verify more.

The term you pick

A longer term lowers the monthly repayment but raises the total interest, so the structure you choose changes the number you see on the quote.

The lender panel

With 63+ lenders we can direct a machine to the ones that actually want that asset class, rather than forcing it through a lender that prices it defensively.

Mistakes people make on equipment finance

Five of them, and they mostly come from treating every machine as if it were the same machine.

Reading the monthly repayment and ignoring total interest

A longer term lowers the monthly figure but raises the total interest. Read both numbers before you compare.

Using a balloon without planning the lump sum

A balloon lowers the monthly repayment but leaves a lump sum at the end. If you cannot meet it, the lower payment was not a saving.

Assuming every asset finances the same

A forklift and a CNC machine sit in different lender pools and price differently. The asset type matters more than the price tag.

Forgetting the gap between delivery and earning

A machine starts costing from settlement, but it only earns once it is installed, commissioned and on the job.

Comparing a 7-year quote against a 5-year quote

Different terms give different monthly numbers for the same machine. Compare like with like.

A quick guide to equipment loans

An equipment loan is an easy way for Aussie businesses to get the assets they need to grow. However, no equipment loan will be the same. Some businesses will need access to earthmoving equipment like an excavator, whereas others might require new coffee machines for their cafes. This will influence the available lenders, loan structure, interest rate, terms, and repayments.

Typical Loan Details

  • Rate starting from 6.99%
  • 63+ lenders available
  • Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly repayments
  • Borrow up to $500k with a low doc loan
  • No deposit (even for non home owner)
  • Help sourcing your equipment for the best price
  • Multiple options such as finance lease, commercial hire purchase and chattel mortgage

Get in touch with our team of Asset Finance Brokers today.

You can book a free discovery call with our team to learn about your options or simply submit an enquiry and we’ll call you back as soon as possible.

What are the pros and cons of an equipment loan?

Cons

  • Higher monthly repayments
  • Responsible for maintenance costs
  • Can still tie up some working capital
  • Requires a good credit history for a good rate
  • Insurance costs can be slightly higher
  • Risk of negative equity if the equipment value drops
  • Long-term commitment
  • Easy to overcommit to new business

Pros

  • Can own the asset from day one
  • No deposit required (even for non-home owners)
  • Tax benefits (GST, depreciation, interest, etc)
  • Builds business equity
  • Possible balloon payment option to lower repayments
  • Can grow the business without tying up capital
  • Sign on new business faster
  • Easier to forecast business growth and requirements
  • Can access fleet discounts through brokers

Book a free 20-minute discovery call

Not sure where to start? Feel free to book a call with our team to chat through your objectives. On the call, we’ll talk you through your business goals, asset requirements, processes, expected timelines, and anything else to help you make an informed decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I use the equipment finance calculator?

First and foremost our equipment finance calculator should only be used as an estimator. To use it simply plug in the estimated purchase price (considering your deposit if you want to leave one), the rate, and the term. This will give you a basic idea of what your repayments will look like. Please keep in mind that it does not include fees or balloon payments. For an accurate quote feel free to schedule a call with one of our lending experts today.

Which equipment finance terms should I know?

When it comes to equipment finance (or asset finance in general) there are many terms to learn. Each of them is important in its own way and to some degree is essential if you plan on getting equipment finance for your business. Here are the top terms we suggest getting your head around:

  • Chattel mortgage – A loan that is secured by the asset you purchase.
  • Operating lease – An arrangement where you rent the equipment but don’t own it.
  • Finance lease – Where you can lease the asset with the option to purchase at the end of the term.
  • Commercial hire purchase – Pay for the asset in installments and own it later.
  • No doc loan – Close to zero financial documentation is required for this loan.
  • Low doc loan – Minimal paperwork for getting a loan.
  • Full doc loan – Detailed financials are required by lenders to access better terms.
  • Residual value – The estimated worth of your asset after it has fully depreciated.
  • Balloon payment – A large payment at the end of the loan term.
  • Depreciation benefits – Tax deductions for the asset use.
  • Loan Principal – The original amount borrowed.
  • Credit Score – Your rating of financial trustworthiness by credit companies.
  • Lender Criteria – The lender rules to qualify for finance.
  • GST – 10% tax applied to the purchase price.
  • Tax deductibility – Your claimable expenses for financing.
  • Asset turnover ratio – The measure of revenue from assets.
  • Credit assessment – The lender’s evaluation of your borrowing capacity.
  • Fixed interest rate – The fixed interest rate that does not fluctuate with the market.
  • Variable interest rate – The interest rate that fluctuates with the market.
  • Broker fee – Our fee for arranging the finance deal.
  • Early termination fee – A penalty for paying off your loan early.
  • Bank statements – your bank transactions to confirm you can afford the repayments.

But don’t worry! There’s no need to remember all of this. Our team of asset finance brokers is here to make this process quick, simple, and easy for you.

Am I eligible for equipment finance?

Even though lenders have minimum eligibility criteria, most Australian businesses can qualify for equipment finance pretty quickly.

However, approval depends on a few key factors. Here’s what lenders typically look at:

Basic requirements:

  • Active ABN registered for over 2yrs (we can still help for ABNs >6months)
  • Good credit score & credit history (we help with bad credit issues though)
  • Over 18 years old
  • Australian resident
  • Total loan amount

Business situation:

  • Regular income or consistent contracts
  • GST registered for over 2yrs
  • Basic financial records (not always required though)

Don’t have all these? Don’t worry. We work with 63+ lenders, each with different lending criteria. For example, some offer:

  • Low-doc loans up to $500,000
  • Solutions for new businesses
  • Options if you’re not a homeowner
  • Various Visas are accepted (you’re not required to have Australian Citizenship)
  • Alternatives for sole traders
  • Options for those who don’t want to leave a deposit
  • Alternatives if you have some credit history issues

The best way to check your eligibility is to first use our equipment finance calculator above to see if you can afford repayments. From here, reach out to our then chat with our team. We’ll look at your specific situation and match you with the right lender – often finding solutions where others can’t.

Remember: Every business is unique, and there’s usually more than one way to structure a deal. Let us help find the right fit for your situation.

How can I lower my repayments for an equipment loan?

Reducing the repayments for your equipment loan comes down to a few core factors.

Here’s what we recommend to our clients to keep costs low:

Smart loan structuring

  • 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 tips

  • 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 (the lending criteria changes)
  • Consider a full-documentation loan to access a better rate

Pro Tip: We don’t recommend chasing 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, reducing the overall finance costs.

Our brokers have the network and experience to crunch the numbers and find a sweet spot between repayment size and overall loan cost.

What is a balloon payment?

A balloon payment is a larger lump sum payment due at the end of your equipment finance loan term. Lenders allow the borrowers to include a balloon payment to help reduce their monthly repayments.

For example, if you have a $100,000 loan for a Ford Ranger Raptor with a 30% balloon payment, you’ll pay reduced monthly repayments but will need to pay $30,000 at the end of the loan.

While the balloon payment will definitely lower your repayments, planning for the final lump sum payment is important. You can pay it in full, refinance the balloon amount, or sell the equipment to cover the cost.

What type of equipment can I finance?

Stacked Finance specialises in business equipment loans.

This means we help all sorts of Australian businesses finance commercial equipment used to generate income. These include:

  • Machinery: All types of manufacturing equipment, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and other production hardware.
  • Vehicles and transport assets: Cars, utes, trucks, vans, forklifts, and heavy machinery used in logistics and transportation.
  • Technology and IT hardware: Computers, servers, POS systems, networking equipment, telecommunications hardware, and other related infrastructure.
  • Medical equipment: Special medical devices, beauty devices, laser devices, diagnostic tools, dental and clinical equipment.
  • Hospitality and retail assets: Coffee machines, commercial kitchen equipment, POS systems, refrigeration units, hospitality machinery, and most things involved in a retail fit-out.
  • Agricultural and farming equipment: All types of tractors, harvesters, irrigation systems, farm machinery, and other farm equipment.

Keep in mind that the more obscure the asset the higher the interest rate will be since it’s more risky for the lender.

What should I look for in an equipment finance broker?

When choosing an equipment loan broker in Australia there are some things to be aware of.

Firstly, all brokers should be FBAA or MFAA-accredited brokers. This means they have an Australian Credit Licence / AFSL or work with an Aggregator that provides this.

Secondly, they should also have the relevant qualifications and industry experience.

On top of this, a good broker should:

  • Have close relationships with multiple lenders, not just their preferred lenders
  • Take time to understand your business, goals, and the asset specifications
  • Be upfront about all rates, fees, processes, and charges
  • Know the ins and outs of different finance structures (e.g. chattel mortgage vs commercial lease)
  • Understand the tax implications for your business of each loan structure
  • Fights to get you the best deal possible and conditional approval ASAP
  • Understand the current ATO position on tax deductions and other related initiatives

Most importantly, they should speak your language – if the broker can’t explain how the loan works without using fancy jargon, keep looking.

What other services do you offer?

We don’t just specialise in equipment financing.

Stacked Finance is focused on the commercial market as a whole.

This means we help all Australian businesses obtain equipment loans or business loans.

Whether you need a new asset like a vehicle, 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.

Do I need a deposit on equipment finance?

Not always. No deposit is available up to $150,000, subject to your profile and the asset. Whether a deposit is asked for depends on the asset type, its resale value and your financials.

Is new or used equipment easier to finance?

New equipment qualifies for the sharpest rates and the longest terms. Used equipment is financed all the time, but it is priced on condition, hours and what it will be worth at the end of the term.

Can I finance custom or one-off equipment?

Yes, but it is harder to place. With no comparable resale, fewer lenders will write it and some will want equity. We direct it to the lenders that understand the specific machine.

Can I finance equipment bought at auction or privately?

Yes. The lender needs to identify the asset and confirm ownership, and a serial number does the job a number plate does on a truck. Private and auction purchases are financed regularly.

Emmanuel Nassar, Co-founder of Stacked Finance

Need help with finance?

Send Emmanuel a message and he’ll get back to you shortly.

Or call Emmanuel directly on 0417 209 702

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Emmanuel Nassar, Co-founder of Stacked Finance

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