Powering Your Performance Through Strategic Asset Finance. Whether you’re funding a vehicle, farm machinery, or specialised equipment, Hardie Finance Group compares lenders and structures asset finance to protect your cash flow and maximise your capital.
Asset Finance is either an Equipment Loan (Chattel Mortgage) or a Finance Lease, used to purchase business use vehicles, machinery, or equipment. The asset itself acts as security for the loan.
Common assets funded include:
Cars, utes, and commercial vehicles
Trucks, trailers, and transport equipment
Excavators, loaders, and earthmoving machinery
Agricultural machinery such as tractors, sprayers and harvesters
Manufacturing and workshop equipment
Medical, dental, and professional equipment
IT equipment and business technology
Both new and used assets can be funded, including private sales in most cases
Nothing. Lenders use different names and they are interchangeable.
You own the asset from day one, and the lender takes a mortgage over it as security. This security used to be knows as a Chattel Mortgage, but since the introduction of the Personal Property Security Register (PPSR) the new security type has a different name, hence an ‘Equipment Loan’ is more suitable.
Key benefits include:
Immediate ownership of the asset
Potential GST and tax benefits (subject to accounting advice)
Flexible loan terms and repayment structures
Ability to include a balloon payment
With an Equipment Loan or Chattel Mortgage:
You own the asset.
The loan is secured against the asset.
You may claim depreciation and interest (subject to tax advice).
With a Lease:
The lender owns the asset during the lease term.
You make regular lease payments to use the asset.
You may have the option to purchase the asset at the end.
Loans generally provide ownership and flexibility, while leases may offer cash flow or tax timing advantages. Seek independent accounting advice for your own circumstances.
Pre-approval confirms your borrowing capacity before committing to a purchase.
The process typically involves:
Reviewing your business financial position.
Confirming borrowing capacity and lender options.
Obtaining conditional approval from a lender.
Setting a maximum purchase budget.
This allows you to negotiate confidently with dealers as a cash ready buyer.
Dealership finance is convenient, but it often offers limited lender choice and may not provide the most competitive structure.
A broker provides:
Access to multiple lenders.
Competitive interest rates and terms.
Finance structured to suit your business cash flow.
Independent advice aligned with your interests.
This creates genuine competition between lenders, improving your outcome.
Yes. Most lenders will finance:
Used vehicles and machinery
Private sales (not just dealerships)
Auction purchases
Older specialised equipment
Lender criteria vary based on asset class, age, condition, and valuation.
A Novated Lease is a vehicle finance arrangement involving an employer, employee, and lender.
The employee leases the vehicle, and repayments are made through salary packaging.
Benefits may include:
Potential tax advantages for employees
Reduced taxable income
Improved employee retention and benefits
This structure is typically used for employee vehicle programs. Seek independent accounting advice for your own circumstances.
Low Doc equipment finance is designed for self-employed borrowers who may not have full financial statements available.
Requirements typically include:
ABN (usually minimum 6–12 months)
Driver’s licence
Bank statements
Declaration of income
Low Doc loans allow faster approvals with reduced documentation.
Asset finance can be structured to align with the useful life of the asset.
Options include:
Loan terms matched to asset lifespan
Balloon payments to reduce monthly repayments
Seasonal or tailored repayment schedules
Interest-only periods where appropriate
This improves cash flow and financial efficiency.
Yes. Asset finance is commonly used for heavy equipment such as:
Excavators and earthmoving equipment
Agricultural machinery
Construction equipment
Mining and industrial machinery
Specialist lenders understand these asset classes and structure loans accordingly.
Fleet finance begins with a structured review of:
Number and type of vehicles required
Business cash flow
Replacement timing
Ownership and tax considerations
We then structure staged or bulk finance facilities to support efficient fleet replacement.
Your accountant or tax advisor provides independent tax advice.
They advise on:
GST treatment
Depreciation claims
Interest deductibility
Appropriate ownership structure
We work alongside your accountant to ensure the finance structure aligns with your tax and business strategy.
