Finance question
Can I get equipment finance if I'm not registered for GST?
Yes. GST registration is not a requirement for equipment finance. What matters is an active ABN and a specific asset to secure the loan. Plenty of sole traders and newer businesses under the GST threshold are funded every week.
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The short answer
GST status is not the gate
Being registered for GST is a tax choice tied to your turnover, not a lending test. Businesses under the $75,000 threshold often are not registered at all, and that alone never stops an asset-finance approval. The lender looks at your ABN, the asset and your credit, not your GST box.
The asset carries the risk. Because the equipment secures the loan, the lender's exposure sits in the machine rather than in your tax profile. That is why low-doc and no-doc deals work for sole traders and small operators who are not yet registered, or who choose to stay under the threshold.
GST does change the numbers, not the eligibility. If you are registered, you can usually claim the GST on the asset back through your BAS, which affects cash flow. If you are not, the price simply includes GST and the finance is sized to that. Either way the deal still funds.
Do you qualify?
What actually matters for approval.
An active ABN
Sole traders and companies both qualify, GST or not.
A specific asset
A vehicle, trailer or machine to secure the finance.
Low-doc friendly
Many deals settle without financials or BAS.
Reasonable credit
A clean or explainable file helps the match.
Why GST registration is beside the point
The asset secures it
Security in the equipment matters more than your tax registration.
ABN is the anchor
An active ABN is the real business test, not a GST number.
Lenders vary
Across 40+ lenders, many have no GST condition at all.
A real example
A landscaper trading under an ABN but below the GST threshold needs a $28,000 mini excavator. Not being registered was never raised. The deal was assessed on the asset and a clean credit file, and approved low-doc within two days. Illustrative only.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be registered for GST to apply?
No. GST registration is not a lending requirement. An active ABN and an asset to secure the loan are what count.
Does not being registered change my rate?
Not by itself. Pricing is driven by the asset, the term and your credit, not your GST status.
Can I still claim GST back if I register later?
Once registered you can usually claim the GST on eligible purchases through your BAS. Speak to your accountant on timing.
I am a brand new sole trader with an ABN. Can I qualify?
Often yes. A short trading history is workable on low-doc asset deals when the asset secures the finance.