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Yes. Racking, shelving, flooring, ply lining, roof racks, ladder racks, refrigeration units and signage can usually be financed on the same contract as the van when they are quoted with it, so the whole working vehicle settles at one rate. Lenders fund fit-outs up to a sensible proportion of the van’s value. Get the fit-out quoted before delivery; accessories added later are harder to finance.

Yes. Late-model used vans from dealers and private sellers are financed routinely, and after the steep first-year depreciation they are often better value than new. Most lenders allow the van to be around 12 to 15 years old at the end of the term, with a PPSR check and usually an inspection for private sales. High-kilometre courier vans attract shorter terms.

A van bought through a GST-registered business on a chattel mortgage generally allows the GST on the purchase price to be claimed on the next BAS, and the interest and depreciation are deductible for the business-use portion. Vans designed to carry a load rather than passengers are usually outside the car limit and, where private use is minor, outside fringe benefits tax. Confirm with your accountant for your model and usage.

Established businesses are often approved within 24 to 48 hours on low documentation, with settlement to the dealer within a day or two of signing. Private sales add a few days for the PPSR check and inspection. If you have a delivery contract starting, tell your broker the date and the approval is scheduled around it.

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.