Equipment Finance. Unlocked.

Get the Equipment You Need Without Draining Your Capital

Whether you’re a tradie needing a new ute, a manufacturer upgrading production equipment, or a farmer replacing machinery before harvest — the right equipment finance structure lets you get what you need now without depleting the capital you need to keep operating.

Understanding Equipment Finance

Equipment finance is a specialist funding option that lets businesses acquire machinery, vehicles, technology, and tools without paying for them outright. In most cases, up to 100% of the asset’s value can be financed — meaning you preserve your working capital for the things that keep your business running day to day.

By financing rather than purchasing outright, businesses can allocate their cash reserves where they’re needed most — operations, staffing, marketing, or growth — while still getting access to the equipment that drives productivity.

How Equipment Finance Works

When a business uses equipment finance, they’re borrowing funds to acquire an asset. The asset itself typically serves as security for the loan — which allows lenders to offer more competitive terms and often a faster approval process than unsecured lending.

This built-in security arrangement is what makes equipment finance accessible and often more cost-effective than other forms of business borrowing. The lender holds a charge over the asset until the loan is repaid in full.

Key Benefits of Equipment Finance

Preserve Working Capital: Finance the asset, keep the cash. Your working capital stays available for wages, stock, unexpected costs, and growth opportunities — not tied up in depreciating equipment.

Up to 100% Financing: Equipment finance often covers the full cost of the asset — including associated expenses like installation, delivery, or training — with no large upfront deposit required.

Potential Tax Advantages: Depending on the finance structure, interest payments and depreciation may be tax-deductible. Speak to your accountant about how equipment finance could work for your tax position.

Keep Your Equipment Current: Financing makes it easier to upgrade equipment at the end of a term rather than running ageing assets into the ground. Stay competitive without a major capital outlay every time technology moves forward.

Flexible Terms: Term length, balloon payments, and repayment structure can all be tailored to your cash flow. We match the finance structure to how your business earns, not a generic template.

Faster Access to Equipment: Equipment finance typically moves faster than standard business lending — so you can take advantage of opportunities, meet project deadlines, or replace essential equipment without lengthy delays.

Flexible Balance Sheet Treatment: Depending on the structure chosen, equipment finance may be treated differently on your balance sheet. Your broker and accountant can work through the options that suit your reporting requirements.

Finance Structures Available

There’s no single right answer for equipment finance. The best structure depends on the asset, your business’s tax position, your cash flow, and your long-term plans. The main options include:

Finance Lease: The lender purchases the equipment and leases it to your business for an agreed term. At the end, you may have the option to purchase, continue leasing, or upgrade. Lease payments are generally fully deductible as a business expense.

Operating Lease: Similar to a finance lease but often shorter-term, with the expectation that the equipment retains residual value at the end. Often used for technology or vehicles where regular upgrades are desirable.

Chattel Mortgage: Your business owns the asset from day one, while the lender holds a mortgage over it until the loan is repaid. Often preferred by businesses wanting to claim GST upfront and depreciate the asset.

Hire Purchase: Your business hires the equipment over an agreed term with the option to purchase at the end. Fixed repayments make budgeting straightforward, and ownership transfers once the final payment is made.

At Unlocked, we work with you to identify the most suitable structure for your equipment and your business. We compare options across 70+ lenders — then present you with a clear picture and let you decide. Your finance, your choice.