Common questions, properly answered.
Quick answers to what operators ask most — about process, products, costs, and eligibility. If your question isn't here, give us a call.
Process & Timing
How long does it take to get finance approved?
Straightforward applications are often approved within 24 to 48 hours of submission. More complex deals — high-value assets, less common structures, or specialist lender involvement — can take a few days longer. We tell you up front what your specific situation is likely to take and keep you informed throughout.
What's the typical timeline from first call to settlement?
Most standard deals move from first call to funded in a week to ten days. Auction pre-approvals can be same-day. The variables are deal complexity, how quickly we can get supporting information from you, and the lender's queue. We give you a realistic timeline on the first call.
Can you pre-approve me for an auction or time-sensitive purchase?
Yes — and this is one of the most common requests we handle, especially for equipment and vehicle auctions. We get an indicative approval in place before you bid, so you know your funding limit. If you win, we move straight to settlement with the lender already lined up.
What happens after the first call?
We collect a few pieces of supporting information (photo ID, ABN/business number, recent bank statements, asset details), then submit your scenario to the lenders most likely to win the deal — usually three to five from our 40-plus panel. Each one comes back with a rate, term, and structure quote. We present them side-by-side with our recommendation.
Will I need to deal with the lender directly?
No — that's our job. We submit the application, chase the lender, handle document requests, and coordinate settlement on your behalf. You sign once at the end. The only direct contact with the lender is usually identity verification, which is a quick online process.
Products & Structures
What's the difference between a chattel mortgage and a finance lease?
The simplest difference is who owns the asset during the loan. With a chattel mortgage you own it from day one — the lender just registers a security interest until you've paid it off. With a finance lease, the lender owns the asset and you lease it for fixed payments, with a residual at the end. Chattel mortgage is the most common for businesses because of better tax treatment (claim depreciation and the GST credit upfront); finance lease is useful when you want off-balance-sheet treatment or a known buy-out figure.
Should I choose a balloon payment or pay it down faster?
A balloon (or residual) lowers your monthly repayments by deferring part of the loan to a final lump sum. It's useful if you need lower cash flow now and have a plan for the balloon — selling the asset, refinancing, or making the payment from accumulated cash. The trade-off is more total interest paid over the life of the loan. We model both scenarios so you can see the numbers.
Can repayments be structured around seasonal income (e.g. harvest cycle)?
Yes — specifically for agriculture. Some lenders on our panel offer structured repayments that align with sugar cane, grain, beef, or other seasonal cycles: smaller payments through the off-season, larger ones after the harvest. Not every lender does this, which is one of the reasons a broker matters — we know which lenders will structure deals this way and which won't.
Can you arrange finance for used equipment?
Yes — for both new and used assets across all categories: vehicles, machinery, marine, recreational. Some lenders specialise in used equipment and offer better rates than the bigger banks for the same deal. Generally the older the asset, the shorter the available term and the more lender selection matters.
Do you handle both business and personal vehicle finance?
Yes. Business finance is the bulk of what we do (equipment, vehicles, working capital), but we also arrange personal asset finance for cars, caravans, boats, and recreational vehicles. The structures and lenders differ between business and personal, but our process is the same.
Cost & Fees
What does it cost to use a broker?
In most cases, nothing out of pocket. Brokers are paid a commission by the lender when a deal settles, so the cost is built into the lender's pricing. If a specific deal requires a broker fee on top of that, you'll know the exact dollar amount in writing before you commit to anything.
Do I need to pay an application fee?
No. We don't charge to look at your deal or compare lenders. The first call costs you nothing, and so does the quote stage.
How is the broker paid?
The lender pays a commission to the broker when a deal settles. The commission rate varies by lender — but we don't recommend a lender just because it pays us more. Our independence means we show you all the offers and let the rate, term, and fit speak for themselves.
Will I pay a higher interest rate by using a broker?
No. Often the opposite — brokers can access lender pricing that retail bank customers don't see, because lenders compete for broker-introduced deals. Plus we compare across 40+ lenders, where a bank can only quote you its own product.
What fees will I need to pay the lender?
Typical lender fees on an asset finance deal include an establishment fee (a one-off setup cost), a monthly account fee, and any specific documentation costs. We make sure these are quoted up front and we compare them across the panel so you know exactly what the all-in cost is.
Eligibility
Do I need a deposit?
Not always. Many of our lenders offer no-deposit finance, particularly for assets with strong resale value. Whether you need one depends on the asset type, your trading history, and the lender. We tell you on the first call whether your specific scenario will require a deposit.
What if I've been declined elsewhere?
Different lenders have different appetites. A decline from one lender — even a major bank — doesn't mean every lender will say no. With 40+ lenders on our panel including non-bank and specialist financiers, we have far more options than a single bank, and we know which ones are most likely to approve scenarios that don't tick every box.
Can sole traders or new businesses get equipment finance?
Yes. Some lenders specialise in finance for sole traders and businesses with less than 12 months of trading. You'll typically need to provide some additional documentation — ABN registration date, business activity statements if you have them, sometimes a personal guarantee — but it's doable. We can usually tell you on the first call whether your scenario is workable.
Will applying affect my credit score?
The initial conversation and quote don't require a credit check. A credit inquiry only happens once you've chosen an option and we're ready to submit a formal application. Even then, a single credit inquiry has minimal impact on your score, especially in a business context.
Can I refinance equipment I already own?
Yes — that's called a sale and leaseback (or sometimes a refinance, depending on the structure). You sell the equipment to a lender and lease it back, which frees up the capital you have tied up in the gear. Useful if you need cash flow but don't want to part with the asset.
Didn't find your answer?
Give us a call. We answer the phone.