Finance question
Can I get equipment finance as a sole trader?
Yes. You do not need a company to finance equipment. An active ABN and the asset itself carry most low-doc deals, so sole traders are funded the same way as companies, subject to lender assessment.
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The short answer
A company is not the price of entry
Sole traders make up a large share of the tradies, carriers and operators who finance gear every week. Lenders do not require a Pty Ltd structure to approve equipment finance. What they look for is an active ABN, an asset worth securing against, and a deal that makes commercial sense.
The asset does the heavy lifting. Because the equipment secures the loan, a lender's risk sits largely in the machine rather than in your business structure. That is why a sole trader with a solid ABN can access the same low-doc and no-doc paths a larger company uses, often with no financials required.
Being a sole trader can even keep things simple. Fewer entities to verify can mean a cleaner file and a faster answer. We run your profile across 40+ lenders and place it with the one whose appetite fits, so your structure is a starting point, not a barrier.
Do you qualify?
What a sole trader deal usually needs.
An active ABN
Registered and current is the main requirement.
A specific asset
A vehicle, trailer, machine or tool of trade to secure it.
Low-doc friendly
Many deals settle without tax returns or BAS.
Up to $500k
Equipment finance runs to $500,000 on low-doc terms.
Why sole traders are funded the same way
The asset secures it
Security sits in the equipment, so structure matters less than the deal.
Lenders differ
Across 40+ lenders, several are comfortable writing sole trader deals.
Simple can be fast
One entity to verify often means a cleaner file and a quicker answer.
A real example
A sole trader electrician needs a $48,000 ute for a new contract. No company, no up-to-date financials. On an ABN and the vehicle as security, the deal is placed low-doc with a lender that writes sole trader files, and settles in a couple of days. Illustrative only.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a company or can I stay a sole trader?
You can stay a sole trader. An active ABN and the asset are what most lenders want, not a Pty Ltd structure.
How long does my ABN need to have been active?
It varies by lender. Some want a period of trading, while others are comfortable with newer ABNs, especially on a well-secured deal.
Do I need to provide tax returns?
Often not. Many sole trader deals are written low-doc or no-doc, subject to lender assessment.
Can I finance a vehicle I use for both work and personal?
Usually yes, where the asset is a genuine tool of the business. The lender will assess how it is used.