Machinery Finance Calculator
Estimate machinery loan repayments, work out how much equipment your business may be able to afford and compare the long-term cost of renting machinery versus buying it. This calculator centre is designed for Australian businesses purchasing construction equipment, earthmoving machinery, agricultural equipment, forklifts, industrial machinery and other income-producing assets.
Make a more informed machinery finance decision
Machinery can be one of the largest investments a business makes. Before committing to an excavator, tractor, forklift, loader, telehandler or other commercial asset, it helps to understand how the purchase may affect regular cashflow.
These machinery finance calculators give Australian business owners a practical starting point for comparing repayment options, testing different purchase budgets and deciding whether long-term ownership may provide better value than continuing to rent.
Estimate regular repayments
Compare different machinery purchase prices, deposits, loan terms, interest rates and balloon payment options before applying.
Set a realistic purchase budget
Start with the repayment your business can comfortably manage and estimate the machinery value that may fit within that budget.
Compare renting with ownership
Consider rental costs, expected usage, ownership expenses and potential resale value before deciding whether to rent or buy.
Machinery Finance Repayment Calculator
Use the Machinery Finance Repayment Calculator to estimate weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments before purchasing new or used commercial equipment. Adjust the purchase price, deposit, finance term, estimated interest rate and balloon payment to compare different finance structures and understand how each option may affect your business cashflow.
Whether you're financing an excavator, skid steer, forklift, tractor, telehandler, crane, generator or specialist industrial machinery, understanding the likely repayments before you apply can help you make more informed purchasing decisions and compare multiple equipment options with confidence.
The calculator is designed as an educational guide only. Actual repayments may differ depending on the lender, borrower profile, asset age, loan structure, approved interest rate and any fees associated with the finance.
Estimate Your Machinery Finance Repayments
Enter your machinery purchase details below to compare estimated repayment options.
This estimate assumes the full GST input tax credit is available. Luxury Car Tax may affect some transactions and may increase the amount financed or repayments. Any potential Luxury Car Tax has not been included.
Indicative estimate only. Repayments are calculated monthly in advance and exclude lender fees, brokerage, documentation charges and other costs. Actual rates, repayments, residual values, GST treatment and approval conditions may vary.
Planning a Machinery Purchase for Your Business
A machinery finance calculator provides a practical starting point, but the right purchase decision also depends on the equipment, its expected use, your business cashflow and the way the finance is structured.
What is machinery finance?
Machinery finance is a form of business equipment finance that allows an Australian business to purchase income-producing equipment without paying the full cost upfront.
The purchase may be structured as a commercial equipment loan, chattel mortgage, hire purchase or another asset finance facility. The machinery will generally form the main security for the loan, although the exact structure will depend on the lender, the asset and the overall strength of the application.
Financing machinery can help preserve working capital for wages, materials, fuel, insurance and other operating expenses while still allowing the business to acquire equipment needed to complete work, improve productivity or expand into larger projects.
Who uses machinery finance?
Machinery finance is commonly used by businesses operating in earthmoving, civil construction, agriculture, manufacturing, warehousing, transport, mining, landscaping and equipment hire.
A sole trader may finance a mini excavator, skid steer or tractor, while a larger contractor may purchase several machines as part of a fleet upgrade or new project. Businesses purchasing heavy plant can also explore construction equipment finance for excavators, loaders, rollers and other machinery used on commercial worksites.
The available options may vary according to the business's trading history, GST registration, financial position, credit profile and the type, age and condition of the equipment being purchased.
Financing new and used machinery
Machinery finance may be available for both new and used equipment. Purchasing used machinery can provide access to a lower purchase price, faster delivery or a model that is no longer readily available new.
Lenders may consider the machine's age, condition, expected working life and resale market. Newer machinery can sometimes qualify for a longer term, while older or highly specialised equipment may require a shorter term, supporting valuation or additional contribution from the purchaser.
Equipment may be purchased through a licensed dealer, auction house or private seller. Private sale transactions will usually require additional checks to verify the seller, ownership, machine details and condition before the lender releases funds.
Deposits, balloon payments and cashflow
Some machinery purchases may be financed without a deposit, although eligibility will depend on the business, the asset and the lender's policy. Paying a deposit reduces the amount financed but also uses cash that may otherwise remain available for operating expenses.
A balloon payment leaves a nominated amount outstanding at the end of the finance term. This may reduce regular repayments, but the remaining amount must eventually be paid, refinanced or covered through the sale or trade-in of the machinery.
The lowest monthly repayment is not always the strongest long-term option. A business should also consider the total amount repaid, the expected ownership period and the likely value of the machinery at the end of the loan.
Look beyond the machinery repayment
A realistic machinery budget should also account for insurance, registration, transport, attachments, servicing, repairs, storage, operator training and fuel. The commercial value of the purchase should be measured against the additional revenue, efficiency or capacity the machine may create for the business.
What Machinery Are You Financing?
Explore machinery and equipment commonly financed by Australian businesses. Select the category closest to your purchase to learn more about the relevant finance options.
Excavator Finance
Finance new and used excavators for earthmoving, civil construction, landscaping, demolition, trenching and site preparation.
Skid Steer Finance
Purchase skid steers and compact track loaders used across construction, earthmoving, landscaping and agricultural operations.
Wheel Loader Finance
Finance wheel loaders and front-end loaders for quarrying, civil projects, agriculture, recycling and materials handling.
Forklift Finance
Finance forklifts and materials handling equipment for warehouses, manufacturers, transport depots and distribution centres.
Tractor Finance
Finance tractors and agricultural equipment used by farmers, contractors, livestock operators and cropping businesses.
Telehandler Finance
Purchase telehandlers for lifting, material handling and elevated access across construction, agriculture and industrial sites.
Access Equipment Finance
Finance elevated work platforms used by contractors, maintenance businesses, warehouses and commercial property operators.
Manufacturing Machinery
Finance machinery used in production, fabrication, processing, packaging and specialist manufacturing environments.
Generators and Compressors
Finance portable and fixed generators, air compressors and supporting equipment used on commercial and industrial sites.
Workshop Equipment
Purchase equipment for mechanical workshops, fabrication businesses, service centres and specialist trade operations.
Crane Finance
Finance cranes and specialist lifting machinery for construction, infrastructure, transport and equipment hire businesses.
Specialist Plant Finance
Finance specialist plant used in concrete, recycling, forestry, drilling, quarrying, mining and civil infrastructure projects.
Machinery Transport Equipment
Finance trucks, trailers and transport equipment used to move heavy plant, machinery and commercial equipment between worksites.
How Much Machinery Can My Business Afford?
This calculator works backwards from your available budget. Rather than starting with a purchase price, enter the repayment your business is comfortable making each week, fortnight or month. The calculator then estimates the machinery purchase value that may fit within that budget.
It is an excellent planning tool when comparing different machinery, budgeting for business growth or deciding how much to spend before speaking with suppliers or applying for finance.
Estimate Your Machinery Budget
Rent Versus Buy Machinery Calculator
Use the Rent Versus Buy Machinery Calculator to compare the potential long-term cost of hiring equipment with the cost of purchasing and financing it. The calculator can help identify whether regular rental payments may be better directed towards owning an income-producing business asset.
Enter the machinery purchase price, estimated finance details, rental rate, expected usage and potential resale value. The result provides a practical comparison between the estimated cost of continued machinery hire and the estimated net cost of ownership over the same period.
This may be particularly useful for businesses that repeatedly hire excavators, skid steers, access equipment, forklifts, telehandlers, tractors or other machinery required for regular projects.
Compare Renting Machinery With Buying It
Compare rental costs, finance repayments and the potential value of owning the machinery at the end of the selected period.
Quick Hire vs Ownership Check
Enter the machinery purchase price and daily hire cost to estimate how many rental days per month may equal the cost of ownership.
Indicative estimate only. Calculations assume a 20% deposit, a 60-month term, a 9% annual interest rate and monthly repayments in advance. Actual rates, repayments, fees and approval conditions may vary.
When does buying machinery make sense?
Buying machinery may make sense when the equipment will be used regularly, the business expects to retain it for several years and ownership supports reliable access to the asset. A contractor that hires the same excavator several days each month may find that machinery repayments become competitive with ongoing rental costs.
Ownership can also give a business greater control over availability, attachments, machine setup, operator familiarity and maintenance. There may also be a resale or trade-in value remaining when the machinery is replaced.
Renting can still be appropriate for short projects, irregular demand, highly specialised machinery or situations where the business wants the hire company to remain responsible for servicing and replacement. The strongest decision depends on utilisation, cashflow, ownership costs and the expected working life of the equipment.
Expected machinery usage
Equipment used consistently may justify ownership, while machinery required for occasional or specialised work may be better rented.
Availability and project timing
Owning machinery can reduce the risk of rental equipment being unavailable when a project begins or schedules suddenly change.
Maintenance and operating costs
Ownership introduces servicing, repairs, insurance and storage costs that should be included in the commercial comparison.
Potential resale value
Purchased machinery may retain a sale or trade-in value, reducing the effective net cost of ownership over time.
Machinery Finance for Australian Businesses
Machinery finance can support businesses purchasing equipment to increase capacity, replace ageing assets, fulfil new contracts or reduce ongoing rental expenses.
Earthmoving
Excavators, skid steers, loaders, rollers, graders, dozers and attachments for earthmoving contractors.
Civil Construction
Heavy plant and project equipment used across roadworks, infrastructure, subdivisions and drainage projects.
Agriculture
Tractors, harvesters, sprayers, seeders, balers and supporting farm machinery for agricultural operators.
Manufacturing
Production, fabrication, processing, packaging and CNC machinery used by Australian manufacturers.
Warehousing
Forklifts, reach trucks, pallet handling systems and materials handling equipment for warehouses and distributors.
Mining and Quarrying
Loaders, crushers, screening equipment, conveyors and specialist heavy machinery for resource operations.
Landscaping
Mini excavators, compact loaders, chippers, trenchers and machinery for landscaping and property maintenance.
Equipment Hire
Machinery and access equipment purchased to expand commercial rental fleets and meet customer demand.
Machinery Finance Across Australia
Asset Finance Avenue helps Australian businesses compare machinery finance options for dealer purchases, private sales, used equipment and new machinery. Whether you are purchasing an excavator in Brisbane, upgrading agricultural equipment near Toowoomba, financing a forklift in Melbourne or expanding a civil construction fleet in Perth, the application can be assessed around the asset and the commercial needs of the business.
We assist businesses operating in metropolitan and regional locations, including companies that travel between worksites, service remote areas or purchase machinery from interstate suppliers.
Common Machinery Finance Scenarios
Every machinery purchase is different. These examples show how businesses may use the calculators to test purchase budgets and compare possible finance structures.
$85,000 Used Excavator
A growing earthmoving business may compare a five-year finance term with and without a balloon payment to balance monthly cashflow against the amount remaining at the end of the loan.
$285,000 New Excavator
An established contractor may compare a cash deposit with full financing while retaining working capital for mobilisation, labour, fuel and project expenses.
Three Electric Forklifts
A warehouse expanding its operations may calculate the combined cost of financing several forklifts and compare it with existing rental expenses.
$190,000 Tractor Upgrade
A farming business may compare a trade-in contribution, expected repayments and the value of retaining cash ahead of a seasonal operating period.
$165,000 CNC Machine
A manufacturer may assess whether increased production capacity and reduced outsourcing costs justify the repayments on new machinery.
$70,000 Telehandler
A builder frequently hiring a telehandler may compare recurring hire charges with the estimated net cost of ownership over several years.
Machinery Finance Calculator FAQs
Answers to common questions from Australian businesses researching machinery repayments, affordability and commercial equipment finance.
Can I use the calculator for used machinery?
Yes. The calculator can estimate repayments for both new and used machinery. Used equipment finance may be affected by the age, condition, expected working life and resale market of the asset. Older or specialised machinery may receive a shorter finance term, so it is worth testing several options when preparing your budget.
Can machinery purchased privately be financed?
Machinery purchased from a private seller may be eligible for finance. The lender will normally require additional verification, including proof of ownership, seller identification and machine serial numbers. An inspection or valuation may also be required depending on the asset, purchase price and machinery age.
Do I need a deposit for machinery finance?
Not every machinery finance application requires a deposit. Some eligible businesses may finance the full purchase price, while other applications may require a contribution because of the asset age, business history, credit profile or lender policy. A deposit reduces the loan but also uses cash that could remain in the business.
Can I include a balloon payment?
A balloon payment may be available on some machinery finance structures. It leaves part of the loan balance until the end of the term, reducing regular repayments. The balloon must still be paid, refinanced or covered through the sale or trade-in of the machinery, so it should remain realistic against the future asset value.
Can a new business obtain machinery finance?
New and recently established businesses may be considered for machinery finance, although lenders may request additional information. This could include industry experience, contracts, business plans, bank statements, a deposit or evidence of personal financial strength. The machinery must also have a genuine commercial purpose.
Is GST included in the machinery loan?
The GST component of a machinery purchase can often be included in the financed amount, subject to the lender and structure. A GST-registered business may be eligible to claim an input tax credit, but the timing and treatment depend on individual circumstances. Speak with your accountant before relying on an expected GST refund.
What interest rate should I enter?
Enter a realistic estimated commercial finance rate rather than the lowest advertised rate. Machinery finance rates vary according to the business profile, asset, loan amount, term, lender and strength of the application. Testing several rates can show how a pricing change may affect repayments.
Can machinery repayments be seasonal?
Some lenders may consider seasonal repayment options for industries such as agriculture where income is received at particular times of the year. Availability depends on the lender, business cashflow and loan structure. The calculator provides a standard estimate and may not reflect specialised seasonal repayment arrangements.
Can I finance several machines at once?
A business may finance several machines within one transaction or through separate equipment loans. The preferred structure can depend on the suppliers, asset types and delivery dates. For a broad estimate, combine the purchase costs, or calculate each machine separately for a more detailed comparison.
Are the calculator results a finance approval?
No. The calculators provide general estimates for planning purposes only. They do not assess lender policy, business income, expenses, liabilities, credit history or machinery suitability. Final repayments and approval conditions can only be confirmed after the application has been assessed by a lender.
Ready to Discuss Your Machinery Purchase?
Asset Finance Avenue can help compare finance options for new machinery, used equipment, private sale purchases and specialised commercial assets. We assess the complete transaction, including the equipment, business requirements and proposed repayment structure.
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Every finance application is different. The examples above are provided as general case studies only. Approval is always subject to lender criteria and individual circumstances.