Transport business finance
Finance for transport, haulage and logistics businesses, from trucks and trailers to cash flow while you wait to be paid, through a panel of 100+ bank, non-bank and private lenders.
- Trucks, trailers and fleets
- Invoice finance for carriers
- No obligation
In a nutshell
Transport businesses usually need two kinds of finance: asset finance for trucks, trailers and equipment, and cash flow finance to cover fuel, wages, tolls and repairs while customers take 30 to 60 days to pay. Trucks are usually financed with a chattel mortgage or lease over 1 to 7 years, and invoice finance or an overdraft can bridge the wait for payment. 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
- Trucks and trailers
- Chattel mortgage, lease or hire purchase
- Terms
- Usually 1 to 7 years for assets
- Cash flow
- Invoice finance, overdrafts and lines of credit
- Balloon
- Optional on most asset finance
- Decision time
- Hours to days
- Interest rates
- Vary by lender and business
How transport businesses use finance
A transport business ties up money in two places: the trucks and trailers that do the work, and the weeks between doing a job and being paid. Fuel, tolls, tyres, repairs, insurance and wages all come out before most customers pay, often on 30 to 60 day terms.
Most operators use asset finance for the vehicles, and some form of cash flow finance to keep the business moving between payments.
Financing trucks and trailers
Trucks, prime movers and trailers are usually financed with a chattel mortgage, finance lease or hire purchase, secured by the vehicle, over 1 to 7 years. A balloon at the end lowers the regular repayments while the truck is earning. Lenders look at how long you've held your ABN and GST registration, your driving experience and, for new operators, the work you have lined up.
Our guide to truck finance compares the finance structures, and our guide to used and private-sale finance covers buying second-hand.
Cash flow: fuel, wages and payment terms
Invoice finance advances a share of each invoice as soon as you've delivered, so you're not waiting a month or two for your money. It suits carriers who work for larger customers on account. For day-to-day costs, a business overdraft or line of credit lets you draw what you need and repay as payments come in.
Growing your fleet
When you add trucks, lenders look at your track record, the contracts the new trucks will service and how your existing finance is performing. Established operators with clean repayment histories often get the best terms and the least paperwork, and low doc equipment finance can suit businesses with a few years of ABN and GST history.
What lenders look at
- your ABN and GST history, and your experience in transport
- contracts, rate agreements and how concentrated your customers are
- the age and type of trucks, and their value at the end of the term
- your repayment history on existing finance
- any ATO debt and how it's being managed
Eligibility and documents
What lenders usually look for
- An active ABN, and GST registration for most asset finance
- Driving experience and the right licence class, especially for new operators
- Contracts or regular work, which matters most for newer businesses
- Customers with a reasonable payment history, for invoice finance
- A credit history the lender is comfortable with
Documents you may need
- Driver's licence and identification for each director or owner
- Truck or trailer invoice, or the private seller's details
- Contracts, rate agreements or a letter of work from your main customers
- Business bank statements, and for larger facilities, financial statements and BAS
- An aged debtors report, for invoice finance
Requirements vary by lender. All lending is subject to each lender's credit criteria and assessment.
What lenders publish for transport businesses
Here's a selection of what lenders publish about products that transport businesses use. It isn't a full list of lenders or a ranking.
- Angle Finance offers secured finance for trucks up to 12 tonnes GVM, commercial trailers and commercial vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes, through accredited brokers. Profile →
- Shift's asset finance covers trucks, trailers, utes and vans, up to $2 million over up to 7 years with a balloon available, for businesses trading 2 years or more with $250,000 or more in annual turnover. Profile →
- Dynamoney offers asset finance up to $1 million, generally for businesses with 12 months of ABN and GST registration and a director credit score of 550 or more. Profile →
- Westpac's vehicle and equipment finance goes up to $250,000, with funds in one business day from approval and an option of 3 months before the first repayment. Profile →
- ScotPac's invoice finance advances 80% of invoice value upfront, with facilities from $10,000 to $200 million for businesses with $10,000 or more in monthly invoices. Profile →
A sample of lenders, as published by each lender, checked 23 October 2026.
Which finance fits which transport cost?
A new or used truck
- Usual finance option
- Truck finance
- Why it fits
- Secured by the truck, with an optional balloon to lower repayments
Trailers, forklifts and equipment
- Usual finance option
- Equipment finance
- Why it fits
- Secured by the asset, and can sit alongside your truck finance
Waiting 30 to 60 days for customers
- Usual finance option
- Invoice finance
- Why it fits
- Advances cash against invoices, and grows as your work grows
Fuel, tolls, repairs and wages
- Usual finance option
- Overdraft or line of credit
- Why it fits
- Draw what you need between payments
A large repair or an ATO debt
- Usual finance option
- Business loan
- Why it fits
- A lump sum with set repayments
| Usual finance option | Why it fits | |
|---|---|---|
| A new or used truck | Truck finance | Secured by the truck, with an optional balloon to lower repayments |
| Trailers, forklifts and equipment | Equipment finance | Secured by the asset, and can sit alongside your truck finance |
| Waiting 30 to 60 days for customers | Invoice finance | Advances cash against invoices, and grows as your work grows |
| Fuel, tolls, repairs and wages | Overdraft or line of credit | Draw what you need between payments |
| A large repair or an ATO debt | Business loan | A lump sum with set repayments |
Related guides
Talk to us about transport business finance
Tell us what you need and a little about your business. We work with a panel of 100+ bank, non-bank and private lenders and match you with the ones best suited to your business, loan amount and timing.
- One conversation, no obligation
- We seek multiple lender options for you
- Business finance from $30,000
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FAQs
Questions about transport business finance
Often, yes, but it's harder than for an established operator. Lenders look for driving experience, the right licence and contracts or regular work lined up. A deposit, or property to offer as extra security, helps.
Many use invoice finance, which advances a share of each invoice, often 80%, as soon as you've delivered and invoiced. The rest is paid, less fees, when your customer pays.
Yes. Larger operators often finance several trucks under one facility, and some lenders offer fleet leasing. Lenders look at your financials and how the fleet is used.
Yes. Most truck lenders finance used trucks from dealers and many accept private sales, with a PPSR check. Lenders usually set a maximum age for the truck at the end of the loan.
Yes. An overdraft or line of credit can cover fuel, tolls, repairs and wages between customer payments, and invoice finance releases cash from invoices you've already raised.
Depending on the lender, decisions can be as quick as a few hours for straightforward truck and equipment finance. Invoice finance facilities usually take a few days to set up.
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.