What a food truck costs in Australia in 2026
The food truck numbers online swing from $20,000 to $250,000 because they are describing different businesses. This page separates them: what the vehicle costs, what the kitchen costs, what the paperwork costs, and what each path looks like as a weekly repayment.
The three ways in, priced
Indicative Australian market bands, surveyed August 2026 across builder and industry cost guides. Weekly figures assume a 5 year chattel mortgage at 10.5% p.a., no balloon, no deposit; your rate depends on your profile and security.
| Path | Typical all-in cost | Financed, per week |
|---|---|---|
| Second-hand truck already converted | $30,000 to $70,000 | $150 to $345 |
| Buy a used van and fit it out yourself | $45,000 to $90,000 | $225 to $445 |
| New purpose-built truck, full commercial kitchen | $100,000 to $180,000 | $495 to $895 |
| Premium specialist build | $250,000 plus | from $1240 |
| Coffee van or trailer | $30,000 to $100,000 | $150 to $495 |
Where the money actually goes
The vehicle: an unfitted second-hand van or truck runs $8,000 to $25,000; the size and age matter less than the condition of the drivetrain, because a food truck that cannot make it to the festival earns nothing.
The kitchen fitout is the real build: $30,000 to $80,000 installed for a serious truck. Inside that: commercial refrigeration $1,500 to $8,000, cooking equipment $1,000 to $15,000, ventilation $4,000 to $10,000, and each specialty item, a char grill, a fryer, an espresso machine, adds $2,000 to $10,000. A coffee-only van needs far less kitchen, which is why it is the cheapest way into the industry.
The paperwork: mobile food vending permits run $300 to $900 a year per council, and you need one for each council area you trade in. Insurance runs $2,500 to $4,500 a year for liability plus commercial vehicle cover. Budget $1,250 to $2,500 a month in operating costs before wages: fuel, permits, maintenance, gas and supplies.
Second-hand versus new build
A converted second-hand truck gets you trading fastest and cheapest, but you inherit the previous owner's kitchen layout and their compliance history: check the gas and electrical certificates before you pay. A new build costs two to three times more and takes months, but the kitchen is designed around your menu and every certificate is fresh. Lenders finance both, and a second-hand truck bought from a private seller is still financeable; it just adds an inspection step.
Financing the truck
A food truck is a business asset on wheels, which makes it chattel mortgage territory: the truck secures its own loan, you own it from day one, terms run two to seven years. As a working rule, property-backed borrowers price around 6% to 9% p.a. and non-property-backed around 9% to 13%. The fitout and equipment can be wrapped into the same facility as the vehicle so the whole build carries one repayment, and approvals commonly come back in 24 to 48 hours. New businesses are workable: lenders weigh the site or events you have lined up, any deposit, and property backing.
See food truck finance for how we structure it, or put your build cost into the repayment calculator to see your number.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food truck cost in Australia?
Most operators launch for between $45,000 and $180,000 all-in. A converted second-hand truck runs $30,000 to $70,000, a new purpose-built truck with a full commercial kitchen $100,000 to $180,000, and premium specialist builds pass $250,000. A coffee van is the cheapest entry at $30,000 to $100,000.
Can I finance a second-hand food truck?
Yes, including private sales. The lender will want the vehicle identified and usually inspected, and will care that the gas and electrical compliance certificates are current.
Can the kitchen fitout be financed with the truck?
Yes. The fitout and equipment are usually written into the same facility as the vehicle, so the whole build carries one repayment rather than a loan plus a stack of equipment purchases on cards.
Can I get food truck finance for a new business?
Often yes. Lenders weigh the site or event calendar you have lined up, your hospitality experience, any deposit, and whether property backing is available. Approvals still commonly come back in 24 to 48 hours.
Price the truck, then the repayment
Tell us the build you are looking at and we will come back with the real weekly number, usually within a day. New or used, dealer or private sale, fitout included.
This article is general information only and not financial, credit, or tax advice. Ventas Asset Lending is a finance broker, not a lender. Approvals are subject to lender assessment. Consider your own circumstances and speak to a qualified professional, including your accountant for any tax questions.