Forklift finance from 48+ Australian lenders.

Yes. Several lenders finance equipment from around $5,000 to $10,000, so a used counterbalance forklift or a walkie stacker is well within range, and small equipment loans are often approved the same day. Very small amounts sometimes suit a line of credit better because of fixed fees. Your broker will tell you which is cheaper.

Not the approval. Electric forklifts cost more upfront, and the battery and charger can be included in the finance, while diesel and LPG units are cheaper to buy and common for outdoor yards. Lenders finance both on similar terms; some offer a small discount on electric equipment. Choose on the work, then let your broker price it.

Buying on a chattel mortgage suits a forklift you will keep for its life and lets the business claim GST upfront and depreciation. An operating lease or rental suits high-use warehouses that want a fixed monthly cost with servicing included and a new truck every few years. Lyft Money compares both on the same page so you can see the total cost.

Yes. A forklift is a modest, easily resold asset, so many lenders fund ABNs under two years with a small deposit and a clean personal credit file. Established businesses are usually approved low-doc within a day. Attachments such as side-shifts, fork positioners and clamps can be included.

Often no deposit is required, particularly for established businesses buying standard assets from a dealer. A deposit is more likely where the business is new, the asset is older or specialised, the credit profile is weaker, or the amount is large relative to turnover. Deposits typically range from around 10% to 30% in those cases. Putting money in reduces the amount financed and can improve the terms offered, but it is not always necessary.

The common ones are an establishment or documentation fee charged at settlement, a monthly account-keeping fee, and a PPSR registration fee for recording the lender's interest in the asset. A brokerage fee may also apply, which we disclose to you in writing before anything is submitted. Some agreements include an early termination or break cost. Fees vary by lender and are typically a modest part of total cost compared with the interest, but they should still be compared.

Lenders publish maximum residual or balloon percentages that fall as the term lengthens, because the asset is worth less at the end of a longer term. For a vehicle, a common pattern is up to roughly 50% on a two-year term, reducing to around 20% to 30% on a five-year term. The ATO also sets minimum residual values for finance leases. A larger balloon lowers monthly repayments but increases total interest and leaves a lump sum to deal with at the end.

It is far less common than it once was. Under hire purchase the financier owns the asset and you hire it, with ownership transferring automatically after the final instalment. Since the GST changes that made chattel mortgage more attractive for businesses accounting on a cash basis, most equipment lending is written as a chattel mortgage or lease instead. Some lenders still offer commercial hire purchase, and your accountant can advise whether it suits your circumstances.

The Personal Property Securities Register is the national register of security interests in personal property, including vehicles and equipment. When a lender finances an asset, it registers its interest so the security is publicly recorded and its priority is protected if the asset is sold or the business fails. It also means a buyer searching the register will see the finance. The registration is released once the contract is paid out, and a small registration fee is usually passed on to you.

A balloon is a lump sum left to pay at the end of a chattel mortgage, which lowers the regular repayments during the term. For example, a 30 per cent balloon on a $100,000 vehicle leaves $30,000 to pay at the end, so the monthly amount is calculated on $70,000 plus interest on the full balance. Balloons are commonly set between 0 and 40 per cent depending on the asset and term, and at the end you can pay it out, refinance it or sell the asset to clear it. A balloon reduces monthly cost but increases total interest, so your broker shows both figures side by side.