Specialised equipment keeps niche industries moving — but it’s rarely cheap, and it’s often hard for “standard” lenders to assess. That’s where marine machinery loans and other specialised machinery finance options come in: they’re designed for businesses buying (or refinancing) high-value assets that generate revenue, but don’t fit a simple vehicle finance box.
This guide explains how machinery lending works for marine, forestry, and industrial sectors in Australia, including what affects rates, how approvals are assessed, and how to estimate repayments. If you’re funding equipment for a charter business, logging contractor, workshop, food production line, or advanced manufacturing facility, the right lender selection and structure can make a major difference.
Important note: approval is never guaranteed. Lender policies vary significantly by asset type, age, resale value, and borrower profile. This is general information and should be considered alongside advice from your accountant and business adviser.
These industries often involve remote sites, specialised assets, and contract-driven income — which is exactly why brokers are commonly used. A broker’s role is to match the asset and cash flow to lenders that actually understand the equipment category, rather than forcing a “generic” policy fit.
What makes specialised machinery finance different?
Specialised machinery often has two characteristics that change how finance is assessed:
- Valuation complexity: the market is smaller and pricing can vary more between regions and buyers.
- Resale risk: niche assets can be harder to sell quickly, so lenders may be more conservative on loan-to-value ratios (LVR) and terms.
Because of this, lenders may ask for more detail than they would for standard equipment finance, such as photos, serial numbers, hours/kilometres, independent valuations, and maintenance records.
Marine machinery loans: common assets and approval factors
Marine machinery loans can apply to a wide range of commercial marine assets and equipment, including:
- Commercial vessels and workboats (where eligible)
- Outboard and inboard motors
- Marine generators and power systems
- Hydraulic deck equipment (winches, cranes, capstans)
- Navigation and comms equipment (as part of a package, depending on lender)
When assessing a marine machinery loan, lenders typically focus on:
- Marine machinery loan credit: director/business credit history and existing liabilities
- Marine machinery loan approval strength: serviceability based on bank statements, contracts, or financials
- Asset condition and compliance: maintenance history, inspections, and suitability for commercial use
- Insurability: commercial insurance availability can influence lender comfort
For a marine machinery loan estimate, lenders generally look at loan amount, term, and whether a residual/balloon is used. Balloons can reduce monthly repayments, but they create an end-of-term obligation, so the exit plan matters.
Forestry machinery loans: funding equipment that earns by the tonne
Forestry machinery loans are commonly used for high-value, high-utilisation assets where downtime directly impacts revenue. Typical equipment includes:
- Feller bunchers
- Skidders and forwarders
- Log loaders and shovel loggers
- Harvesters and processing heads
- Mulchers, stump grinders, and chippers
- Yarders and specialised swing machines
Because forestry machinery often operates in harsh environments, lenders may put more emphasis on maintenance records, hours, and operator experience. They may also structure terms more conservatively for older machines, or require a deposit to reduce exposure.
A key advantage of working with a broker in forestry is aligning repayments to contract cash flow — especially when income is tied to production volume or milestone-based payments.
Industrial and niche manufacturing loans: CNC, food, textiles, cosmetics, and oil & gas
Industrial machinery finance covers a broad spectrum, from workshop equipment to full production lines. Lenders often assess these assets based on “business usefulness” and resale market depth.
CNC machinery loans
CNC machinery loans are often used by engineering and fabrication businesses buying lathes, mills, routers, plasma cutters, and multi-axis machines. Lenders will typically want the machine specs, supplier invoice, delivery details, and evidence that the business has steady contract demand to service repayments.
Food machinery term loans
Food machinery term loans can fund commercial ovens, processing lines, packaging machinery, refrigeration systems, and specialised production equipment. Because these assets are central to output, lenders may take a closer look at business continuity, supplier terms, and how quickly the asset can be installed and producing revenue.
Textile and cosmetics machinery loans
A textile machinery loan may cover industrial sewing machines, cutting tables, embroidery equipment, and automated production systems. Cosmetics machinery loans may include filling lines, mixing tanks, labelling machines, and quality control equipment. These can be highly specialised, so valuation and supplier credibility often matter more than in standard equipment finance.
Oil & gas machinery loans
Oil & gas machinery loans can involve higher-value, job-specific equipment where contract structure and compliance requirements are significant. Lenders often focus on:
- Clear contract pipeline and counterparty strength
- Asset suitability for the intended job and environment
- Insurance and compliance requirements
Because loan sizes can be larger and equipment can be highly specialised, loan-to-value ratios may be more conservative, and lenders may request more documentation.
Rates, terms, and working capital options for specialised machinery
Marine machinery loan rates, forestry machinery loan pricing, and industrial equipment rates vary widely. Lenders price based on:
- Asset type, age, and resale strength
- Loan amount and term length
- Borrower credit profile and trading history
- Deposit size (if any)
- Income stability (contracts vs variable revenue)
In addition to purchase finance, some businesses consider a working capital facility secured by equipment — for example, a marine machinery working capital loan or oil & gas machinery working capital loan. This can be useful to bridge mobilisation costs, payroll, insurance, or materials, but it should be used carefully because it increases repayment obligations.
Tip: a “low repayment” structure that relies on a large residual can help short-term cash flow, but it increases end-of-term risk. Always check total cost and your plan for the residual (refinance, payout, sale, or trade-in).
How to improve approval chances (practical checklist)
Specialised machinery finance tends to run smoother when you package the application properly. Consider preparing:
- Detailed equipment specs, serial numbers, hours, and photos
- Supplier quote/invoice and purchase conditions
- Maintenance records (especially for used machinery)
- Business bank statements (often 3–6 months) and/or financials
- Evidence of contracts, order book, or customer pipeline
- Insurance details (or proof you can obtain cover)
Also avoid multiple applications at once. Each credit enquiry can impact outcomes, particularly when you’re applying for a higher-value facility.
FAQ
Are marine machinery loans available in Australia?
Yes. Many lenders consider finance for commercial marine machinery and related equipment, depending on asset type, condition, and resale value. Approval also depends on serviceability and credit history.
What affects marine machinery loan approval?
Common factors include your credit profile, cash flow evidence, the asset’s condition and compliance, insurability, and whether the lender is comfortable with the equipment category. Specialist assets often require more documentation.
How do marine machinery loan rates work?
Rates vary by lender and are influenced by asset age, loan term, deposit size, and your credit profile. Marine assets can be priced differently to standard equipment due to valuation and resale considerations.
Can I get a forestry machinery loan for used equipment?
Often yes, but older forestry machinery may require a larger deposit or shorter term. Lenders commonly ask for hours, maintenance history, and photos to assess condition and value.
Do oil & gas machinery loans require more documentation?
They can. Because equipment can be high value and job-specific, lenders may request more detailed financials, contract evidence, compliance details, and insurance confirmation before approval.
How do I get a machinery loan estimate before applying?
A lender or broker can provide estimates using the purchase price, loan term, interest rate range, and whether a residual is included. Estimates are indicative only and can change after credit assessment and valuation.
Can I get working capital secured by machinery?
Sometimes. A machinery-backed working capital loan may be available where the equipment has sufficient value and you can service repayments. It’s important to borrow conservatively because it increases overall debt obligations.
Are CNC machinery loans common for workshops?
Yes. CNC machinery loans are commonly used by fabrication and engineering businesses, especially when the machine increases production capacity and supports contract work. Lenders typically prefer reputable suppliers and equipment with strong resale value.
Specialised machinery finance is rarely about finding “a” lender — it’s about finding the right lender for your asset category, your contracts, and your cash flow. When you package the application properly and choose a structure that matches the equipment’s working life, you can secure funding that supports growth without putting unnecessary pressure on operations.