An equipment finance broker arranges machinery and asset finance for Australian businesses by comparing lenders on your behalf, instead of you applying to one bank and hoping. The Asset Finance Shop (TAFS) is a Sydney-based asset finance broker with access to more than 80 lenders, a 93% approval rate, more than 500 Google reviews.

Whether you are buying an excavator, a CNC machine, commercial kitchen equipment, a truck or a fit-out, the broker you choose determines which lenders you see, what rate you are offered and whether your application is approved at all.

Here is how to evaluate asset finance brokers in Australia and what separates an experienced broker from a lead reseller.

What Does an Equipment Finance Broker Actually Do?

A good asset finance broker does far more than pass your application along.

Assesses Your Scenario First

The broker reviews factors such as your ABN age, credit history, asset type, deposit and available financial information.

Matches You to the Right Lender

Every lender has a different credit appetite. The broker’s value is knowing which lenders are suited to your specific situation and which can offer the most appropriate available terms.

Structures the Deal

The broker can help structure the finance product, term length, balloon payment and repayment schedule. Your accountant can provide advice about the tax outcomes that apply to your circumstances.

Manages the Application Through to Settlement

The broker coordinates the paperwork, lender communication and payment to the dealer or private seller.

In many cases, brokers are paid by the lender when the finance settles. Any fees payable by the customer should be disclosed before proceeding.

What to Look for in the Best Asset Finance Brokers in Australia

Use this checklist when comparing finance brokers.

Genuine Lender Panel Breadth

Ask how many lenders the broker actively works with, not just how many appear on a lender list.

TAFS has access to a panel of more than 80 bank and non-bank lenders.

A Soft Credit Check First

The best brokers can pre-vet your circumstances using a soft credit check that leaves no mark on your credit file. They can then submit your formal application to the lender selected for the transaction.

Avoid applying to multiple lenders at the same time. Several hard credit enquiries can affect your credit file and make future applications more difficult.

Experience With Your Asset Class

A broker that regularly arranges finance for machinery, equipment and commercial vehicles will understand how lenders assess different assets, including used excavators and privately purchased prime movers.

Real Reviews and an Established Track Record

Customer reviews can provide insight into how the broker communicates, manages applications and handles more complex situations.

TAFS holds more than 500 Google reviews.

In-House Credit Expertise

An internal credit team can assess applications before submission, identify suitable lenders and address potential issues early.

This pre-vetting process is one of the reasons TAFS maintains a 93% approval rate.

Best Machinery Finance Broker in Australia: Why Experience Matters

Machinery finance often benefits from a broker who understands the asset, the purchase method and the lender requirements involved.

Used and Private-Sale Equipment

This can include auction excavators, dealer trade-ins and privately purchased tractors.

The age, condition, value and seller type can all influence which lenders are available.

New ABN and Start-Up Applications

Applications can include a first excavator, first truck or first fit-out.

Several lenders on the TAFS panel will consider ABNs that have been registered for less than 12 months, depending on the applicant’s experience, financial position and source of work.

Low Doc Applications

Some lenders can assess an application using recent bank statements and other supporting documents instead of full financial statements.

Credit Complexities

Tax debt, previous defaults and paid defaults do not always prevent approval.

Some non-bank lenders will assess the circumstances behind the issue and the overall strength of the application rather than relying only on the credit score.

Asset-Specific Structuring

This can include balloon payments for long-life machinery and seasonal repayment options for agricultural equipment, where available.

More than 71% of the TAFS finance book is made up of transport, machinery and commercial equipment. These assets form a core part of the business.

How TAFS Works: One Application

The TAFS process is designed to avoid unnecessary lender applications.

1. Soft Credit Check

TAFS starts with a soft credit check that leaves no mark on your credit file.

2. Internal Credit Assessment

The internal credit team reviews your circumstances using its knowledge of lender requirements and credit policies.

3. Suitable Finance Options

You are presented with realistic lender and finance options based on your business, credit profile and proposed asset purchase.

4. One Formal Submission

Your formal application is submitted to the lender selected for the transaction. This avoids scattergun applications and multiple unnecessary credit enquiries.

What Can Be Financed?

Equipment finance brokers can arrange funding for a wide range of income-producing business assets.

Earthmoving and Construction

• Excavators
• Skid steers
• Loaders
• Rollers
• Attachments

Transport

• Prime movers
• Rigid trucks
• Tippers
• Trailers
• Vans
• Utes

Agriculture

• Tractors
• Harvesters
• Headers
• Implements

Manufacturing and Engineering

• CNC machines
• Lathes
• Presses
• Packaging lines

Hospitality and Retail

• Commercial kitchens
• Coffee machines
• Fit-outs

Other Business Equipment

• Medical equipment
• Dental equipment
• Allied health equipment
• Technology
• Solar equipment
• Business-critical hardware

New and used equipment can be financed when purchased through a dealer, private seller or auction, subject to lender criteria regarding the asset’s age and condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Is the Best Equipment Finance Broker in Australia?

Look for an experienced asset finance broker with a broad lender panel, strong customer reviews, an internal credit assessment process and a soft-credit-check-first approach.

The Asset Finance Shop is based in Sydney, and has access to more than 80 lenders, holds more than 500 Google reviews.

Who Are the Best Asset Finance Brokers in Australia?

Strong asset finance brokers combine lender access with in-house credit expertise so that an application is matched with a suitable lender before it is formally submitted.

The TAFS internal credit team pre-vets applications before submission and maintains a 93% approval rate across trucks, machinery and other business equipment.

Who Is the Best Machinery Finance Broker in Australia?

For machinery such as excavators, skid steers, tractors and manufacturing equipment, choose a broker that regularly works with those asset types.

The broker should have lender options for new and used machinery, private sales, new ABNs and low doc applicants.

More than 71% of the TAFS finance book consists of transport and commercial equipment.

Is It Better to Use a Broker or Go to My Bank for Equipment Finance?

Your bank can assess your application against its own credit policy and equipment finance products.

A broker can compare options across a broader lender panel. This can be particularly helpful for newer businesses, used equipment, private sales, tax debt, low doc applications and other circumstances that do not fit standard bank policies.

How Fast Can an Equipment Finance Broker Get Approval?

For a straightforward application with the asset identified and all required information available, approval can come through in as little as 24 hours.

Auction pre-approvals can also be available, allowing eligible buyers to understand their finance position before bidding.

Speak With an Equipment Finance Broker

The Asset Finance Shop (TAFS) is a commercial asset finance brokerage based in Sydney.

Information on this page is general in nature and doesn't take your personal circumstances into account. Speak to a TAFS broker for options tailored to your business, and to your accountant regarding tax treatment.

Comparing equipment finance brokers? Start with a soft credit check that leaves no mark on your file and carries no obligation. Call The Asset Finance Shop or apply online today.