Equipment Finance Guide

The Complete Equipment and Asset Finance Guide

Equipment finance lets your business buy the vehicles, machinery and gear it needs without draining cash – spreading the cost over the asset’s working life instead.

This complete guide explains the three main structures – chattel mortgage, lease and hire purchase – the tax benefits including the instant asset write-off, and how to choose the right option.

As your local Perth broker, The Finance Yogi arranges equipment finance that protects your cash flow and suits your tax position.

The three finance structures

Rather than paying the full cost upfront, equipment finance lets you pay off an asset while it earns for the business. The three main structures – chattel mortgage, lease and hire purchase – differ in ownership and tax treatment.

A chattel mortgage means you own the asset and can claim GST upfront plus depreciation. A lease means the financier owns it and you claim the repayments. Hire purchase leads to ownership after the final payment.

This guide brings it together and links to the detail on each part.

Buying equipment outright ties up cash you could use to grow.

Financing it, with the right structure, keeps your business liquid and your tax efficient – and we compare the whole market to find the sharpest deal.

The Three Finance Structures

Each structure has different ownership, GST and deduction outcomes, so the best fit depends on how your business accounts for things.

See the detail in chattel mortgage vs lease and how equipment finance works.

After 10 years inside the Big Four banks, I saw how many Perth families missed out or borrowed with the wrong lender. The Finance Yogi exists to change that - we compare the whole market and explain every number in plain English.

What Are the Tax Benefits?

Depending on the structure, you can claim the GST on the purchase, the depreciation of the asset, and the interest portion of repayments as business deductions.

Eligible small businesses can also use the instant asset write-off – a permanent $20,000 per asset from July 2026 for businesses under $10 million turnover – to immediately deduct qualifying assets rather than depreciating them over years.

The tax benefits

Important: tax outcomes depend on your business, so confirm with your accountant. We explain the options on our equipment finance broker Perth page.

What Can You Finance and for How Long?

Almost any business asset can be financed – commercial vehicles and trucks, machinery, medical and office equipment, technology, and fit-outs – whether new or quality used.

The term is usually matched to the working life of the asset, so you are not still paying for equipment long after it has stopped earning for the business.

Choosing and applying

If it helps your business earn, we can usually finance it. See the full service on our equipment finance broker Perth page.

How to Arrange Equipment Finance

Arranging finance is straightforward. We confirm what you want to buy, review your cash flow and tax position, and recommend the right structure.

Then we compare lenders on rate and term, lodge the application, and coordinate settlement with your supplier so the asset is ready when you need it.

Once approved, the funds go to your supplier. Explore everything we offer on our finance services page, or start with a free consultation.

Equipment and Asset Finance: Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on your GST status, accounting method and cash flow. A chattel mortgage suits many businesses because you own the asset and claim GST upfront plus depreciation. A lease suits those who prefer a simple rental deduction. We compare all three and match the structure to your tax position.
A chattel mortgage means you own the asset and the lender holds security, with GST claimable upfront. A lease means the financier owns it and you claim repayments as rent. Hire purchase means you hire the asset and own it after the final payment. The best fit depends on ownership and tax goals.
Almost any income-producing asset - commercial vehicles, trucks, machinery, tools, medical and office equipment, technology, and fit-outs - whether new or quality used. The lender and term are matched to the asset's age and value, so repayments line up with its working life. We compare the market for the best deal.
Eligible small businesses can immediately deduct the cost of qualifying assets under the threshold, rather than depreciating them over years. From July 2026 it is a permanent $20,000 per asset for businesses with turnover under $10 million. Assets above that go into a depreciation pool. Confirm eligibility with your accountant.
Yes. Equipment finance covers new and quality used assets, with the lender and term matched to the age, type and value of the equipment. Comparing lenders still matters on used assets, which is where a broker helps you secure the best rate and the right structure for your business.

Need Equipment Without Draining Your Cash?

Book a free, no-obligation chat and we will arrange finance that keeps your business liquid.

Source: business finance guidance from business.gov.au, and write-off and depreciation details from the ATO. Tax is specific – confirm with your accountant.

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