Business loans for tradies
Finance for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, builders and other tradies, from utes and tools to materials and cash flow, through a panel of 100+ bank, non-bank and private lenders.
- Utes, vans and tools
- Materials and cash flow
- No obligation
In a nutshell
Tradies most often finance utes, vans, tools and equipment, which are secured by the asset and can often be approved with little paperwork. For materials and the wait to be paid, trade accounts, overdrafts and unsecured business loans help. Sole traders with an ABN can apply, and some lenders consider businesses trading from about 6 months. Depending on the lender, decisions can be as quick as a few hours.
FBAA member
AFCA memberPanel of 100+ bank, non-bank and private lendersAt a glance
- Utes and vans
- Vehicle finance, often no deposit
- Tools and equipment
- Equipment finance
- Materials
- Trade accounts and trade finance
- Cash flow
- Overdrafts, lines of credit and loans
- Sole traders
- Eligible with an ABN
- Interest rates
- Vary by lender and business
How tradies use finance
Most trade businesses need a reliable vehicle, the right tools, and enough cash to buy materials and pay wages while they wait for customers to pay. Finance spreads the cost of the big purchases and smooths out the gaps between jobs and payments.
Utes, vans and tools
Work vehicles and tools are usually the first things tradies finance. Vehicle finance and equipment finance are secured by the asset, so established businesses often need little paperwork and no deposit. A chattel mortgage lets you own the vehicle from the start and, if you're registered for GST, generally claim the GST in your next BAS. Check the tax treatment with your accountant.
Buying second-hand? See our guide to used and private-sale finance.
Materials and suppliers
Many suppliers offer trade accounts, and some finance providers add payment terms to almost any supplier invoice. Trade finance pays the supplier now and gives you time to repay, ideally after you've been paid for the job.
Getting paid and cash flow
If you invoice builders or commercial customers on 30 day terms or longer, invoice finance can advance cash against those invoices. For quieter periods, wages and day-to-day costs, a business overdraft or line of credit lets you draw what you need.
Sole traders and new businesses
You don't need a company to borrow. Sole traders with an ABN can apply for most business finance, and some lenders consider businesses from about 6 months of trading. Vehicle and equipment finance are usually the easiest to get early on, because the asset secures the loan.
What lenders look at
- your ABN and GST history, and your trade licence
- regular income in your business bank statements
- the vehicle or equipment you're buying
- your credit history and any existing debts
- any ATO debt and how it's being managed
Eligibility and documents
What lenders usually look for
- An active ABN, and the licence your trade requires
- Trading history, from about 6 months with some lenders to 2 years or more with others
- Regular income in your business bank statements
- GST registration, for most vehicle and equipment finance and to claim GST
- A credit history the lender is comfortable with
Documents you may need
- Driver's licence or other ID
- Your ABN details and trade licence
- Business bank statements, usually 6 to 12 months
- The vehicle or equipment invoice
- For larger amounts, tax returns, financial statements or BAS
Requirements vary by lender. All lending is subject to each lender's credit criteria and assessment.
What lenders publish for trade businesses
Here's a selection of what lenders publish about products that tradies use. It isn't a full list of lenders or a ranking.
- Shift's Trade Account adds trade terms of up to $500,000 to almost any supplier invoice, with no setup or account-keeping fees, and no transaction fee on 14-day terms for eligible transactions. Profile →
- NAB's business vehicle and equipment loans need no upfront deposit for GST-registered businesses using the asset mostly for business, with terms usually of 1 to 5 years. Profile →
- Azora finances business vehicles, equipment and machinery with a low doc process, for businesses trading from 6 months (Accelerate) or 2 years or more (Streamline). Profile →
- Angle Finance offers secured finance for commercial vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes, including utes, through accredited brokers. Profile →
- Prospa's Small Business Loan goes up to $500,000, with no upfront security up to $150,000, for businesses trading 6 months or more with $6,000 or more in monthly turnover. Profile →
A sample of lenders, as published by each lender, checked 23 October 2026.
Which finance fits which tradie cost?
A ute, van or light truck
- Usual finance option
- Vehicle finance
- Why it fits
- Secured by the vehicle, often with no deposit
Tools and equipment
- Usual finance option
- Equipment finance
- Why it fits
- Spreads the cost over the equipment's working life
Materials for a job
- Usual finance option
- Trade account or trade finance
- Why it fits
- Pays the supplier now; you repay after you're paid
Waiting on customers to pay
- Usual finance option
- Invoice finance or an overdraft
- Why it fits
- Covers the gap between finishing a job and being paid
An ATO debt or a big one-off cost
- Usual finance option
- Business loan
- Why it fits
- A lump sum with set repayments
| Usual finance option | Why it fits | |
|---|---|---|
| A ute, van or light truck | Vehicle finance | Secured by the vehicle, often with no deposit |
| Tools and equipment | Equipment finance | Spreads the cost over the equipment's working life |
| Materials for a job | Trade account or trade finance | Pays the supplier now; you repay after you're paid |
| Waiting on customers to pay | Invoice finance or an overdraft | Covers the gap between finishing a job and being paid |
| An ATO debt or a big one-off cost | Business loan | A lump sum with set repayments |
Related guides
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FAQs
Questions about business loans for tradies
Yes. Sole traders with an ABN can apply for business loans, vehicle finance and equipment finance. Lenders look at your income in your bank statements and your trading history.
Often, yes. Some lenders consider businesses from about 6 months of trading, and newer ABNs may need a deposit, property ownership or a strong credit history.
Not always. Many lenders offer no-deposit vehicle finance to established, GST-registered businesses; NAB, for example, advertises no upfront deposit on business vehicle and equipment loans.
Yes. Tools and equipment can be financed with equipment finance, often together in one facility. Smaller tool purchases are sometimes easier with a trade account or line of credit.
A trade account or trade finance pays your supplier now and gives you time to repay, ideally after your customer has paid you. Some offer short terms with no fee.
Often, yes. Many lenders will lend to clear an ATO debt, although criteria vary. Our guide to ATO debt business loans compares a loan with an ATO payment plan.
No. There's no cost to you for our service. We're paid by the lender when your finance settles, and there's no obligation to proceed.
This page is general information only and isn't credit, tax or financial advice. Lender details are taken from each lender's published information, checked 23 October 2026, and can change. All lending is subject to each lender's credit criteria and assessment.