Independent — we never sell equipment 361,302 prices tracked across 101 Australian retailers · last updated 07 Oct 2026
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Equipment finance

Commercial kitchen finance for Australian venues

Finance the equipment you just compared. We can connect you with brokers who understand commercial kitchens — and we never take a cut of your equipment price.

  • No credit check to enquire
  • Equipment-backed facilities, not property security
  • Compare prices first — a better deal beats a better rate
  • KitchenCompare is not a lender or credit provider

Get a finance quote

Takes two minutes. Indicative enquiry only — not an offer of credit.

By submitting, you are asking us to pass your name and contact details to an accredited finance broker so they can contact you about equipment finance. KitchenCompare is not a lender, credit provider or credit representative and does not arrange finance. We may receive a referral fee if you take out finance; it never affects any price or ranking on this site. Equipment finance for business use is generally not regulated by the National Credit Code. This is not credit or tax advice. See our privacy policy.

101 Australian retailers tracked
48,846 Products compared
417 Brands in catalogue
361,302 Tracked price listings

At KitchenCompare we track prices across 101 Australian retailers — so we see what a fitout costs in the real market. This page explains how commercial kitchen equipment finance works in Australia, whether you're kitting out a café, restaurant, bar, pub or multi-site venue.

We help owners finance cooking equipment, refrigeration, dishwashing, extraction and front-of-house fitouts under one facility. We know the equipment because we price it every day — and we'll tell you when leasing is the wrong answer. Nothing here is credit or tax advice.

How it works

How commercial kitchen finance works

Most equipment finance is structured on the equipment itself, not your building. That usually means faster approvals and no property security — but terms vary by lender and are not guaranteed.

  1. Compare equipment prices first

    Use KitchenCompare to see the market range on exact model numbers before you commit to a finance amount.

    A $3,000 saving on equipment is often worth more than a 0.5% rate difference over a five-year term.

  2. Choose a structure that fits

    Chattel mortgage, hire purchase, finance lease or operating lease — each treats ownership, GST and tax differently. See structures below (general information only).

    Your accountant should confirm tax treatment before you sign.

  3. Submit an enquiry

    Brokers typically ask for an ABN, recent trading history and a rough equipment list. No credit check is required to enquire through this form.

  4. Lender assesses and quotes

    If you proceed, the lender runs their own credit and asset assessment. Any approval or rate is theirs — KitchenCompare does not approve finance.

  5. Settle and install

    Funds usually flow to the supplier or dealer on settlement. Confirm install timing, freight and commissioning with your equipment supplier separately.

Types of finance

Which finance structure suits your venue?

Four structures cover most kitchen fitouts. The right one depends on cash flow, tax position and whether you want to own the equipment at the end. Educational only — not product recommendations.

Chattel mortgage

You own the asset from day one; the lender holds a mortgage over it until repaid.

  • Claim GST on purchase (if registered)
  • Depreciation and interest may be deductible
  • Balloon or structured repayments often available

Best for: Established venues with stable cash flow wanting ownership and tax flexibility.

Hire purchase

Ownership transfers after the final payment. Repayments include principal and interest.

  • Fixed repayments aid budgeting
  • May suit newer businesses building a credit profile
  • Asset on balance sheet once owned

Best for: Operators who want eventual ownership with predictable payments.

Finance lease

Lender owns the asset; you lease it for a fixed term with option to purchase at end.

  • Off-balance-sheet treatment may apply (confirm with accountant)
  • Residual value set upfront
  • Common for high-value combi ovens and refrigeration lines

Best for: Venues upgrading on a cycle or managing balance-sheet presentation.

Operating lease

Rent the equipment for a period; return or upgrade at end. No automatic ownership.

  • Lower monthly outlay than purchase structures
  • Suits technology that dates quickly
  • Return conditions apply — read the contract

Best for: Pop-ups, trials or equipment you plan to replace within a few years.

Find your structure

Not sure which structure fits?

Four questions, then we suggest a structure to discuss with your broker and accountant. Nothing is submitted — this stays in your browser.

Eligibility

Who typically qualifies for kitchen equipment finance?

Most Australian businesses with a registered ABN and trading history can access equipment finance. Lenders set their own criteria — approval is never guaranteed.

Registered ABN

Sole traders, partnerships, companies and trusts with an active Australian Business Number.

Trading history

Many lenders prefer 12+ months of trading; some offer facilities for new venues with stronger deposits or guarantors.

Equipment quote or invoice

A supplier quote helps the lender value the security. Compare prices on KitchenCompare first, then confirm with your dealer.

Serviceability

Bank statements and BAS may be requested to show the business can service repayments. Indicative calculator figures are not an assessment.

What can block approval

Recent defaults, unresolved ATO debt or insufficient trading history. A broker can outline alternatives — we don't guarantee outcomes.

Amount bands

Facilities from roughly $10k to $500k+ are common for kitchen fitouts. Larger multi-site rollouts may use separate facilities per site.

Typical scenarios

3 typical kitchen finance scenarios

Indicative examples only — rounded figures for planning. Not live catalogue quotes, lender offers or credit advice. Your rate and repayments depend on your business and the lender.

Indicative example · Café

~$45,000

Espresso line, underbench fridge, combi oven, dishwasher

Structure
Chattel mortgage
Term
48 months
Rate (indicative)
~8.5% p.a.
Deposit
10%

~$970/month

Illustrative only. Excludes fees, balloon and GST treatment. Confirm with a broker.

Indicative example · Restaurant

~$120,000

Cookline, combi ovens, walk-in cool room, exhaust, POS fitout

Structure
Finance lease
Term
60 months
Rate (indicative)
~7.9% p.a.
Residual
15%

~$2,180/month

Illustrative only. Equipment mix and install costs vary widely.

Indicative example · Multi-site

~$280,000

Standardised kitchen package across two new sites

Structure
Hire purchase
Term
72 months
Rate (indicative)
~7.2% p.a.
Deposit
15%

~$4,050/month

Illustrative only. Multi-site facilities may be staged per venue opening.

Indicative figures only. Not a quote, an offer of finance, or credit advice.

Where the money goes

Back of house versus front of house

A typical fitout often splits roughly 60/40 between kitchen and dining. They depreciate differently — confirm tax treatment with your accountant.

Combi ovens & cooklines

Often $15k–$80k+

High-value assets; usually financed on their own schedule or as part of a kitchen package. Compare exact models before you lock an amount.

Refrigeration & cold rooms

Often $8k–$60k+

Install and commissioning add to the invoice — include them in your finance request, not just the unit price.

Dishwashers & exhaust

Often $5k–$35k+

Often bundled with kitchen packages. Check whether plumbing and hood work are in scope.

Bench & fabrication

Often $10k–$40k+

Custom stainless may be quoted separately from equipment — list all items for the broker.

Calculator

Estimate my repayment

Drag the sliders to model a facility. Indicative only — excludes fees, balloon payments and GST. Not an offer of credit.

Repayment frequency
Estimated repayment

$2,295

per month, over 5 years

Amount financed
$120,000
Balloon owed at end
$12,000
Total interest
$29,675
Total cost of finance
$149,675
Get an exact quote

Assumes fixed rate over the full term, excludes establishment and account fees, and is not an offer of credit or tax advice.

Tax

Tax treatment worth understanding

General information only — confirm everything with your accountant before you sign. KitchenCompare is not a tax agent.

  1. GST on purchase

    With chattel mortgage and hire purchase, registered businesses may claim GST credits on the purchase price — timing depends on your BAS cycle and the contract.

  2. Depreciation & instant write-off

    Eligible assets may be depreciated or written off under temporary full expensing or instant asset write-off rules — thresholds change between financial years.

  3. Lease vs buy on the balance sheet

    Finance and operating leases can be treated differently for accounting and tax. Your accountant should classify each contract correctly.

  4. Interest deductibility

    Interest on business equipment finance is often deductible, but mixed-use assets and private venues have different rules — get advice before claiming.

  5. Residual values & balloons

    A balloon or residual reduces regular repayments but creates a lump sum at end. Budget for it — it's not optional unless you refinance.

Not tax or credit advice. KitchenCompare is not a lender, credit provider or tax agent. Thresholds and instant write-off rules change — always confirm current rules with your accountant.

How to apply

Get your fitout funded in 4 steps

Compare equipment prices

Lock in the models and market range on KitchenCompare before you ask for finance.

Same day

Submit an enquiry

Complete the form at the top of this page with your contact and business details.

~2 minutes

We pass your details to a broker

Where we have an accredited broker available, we pass on your name and contact details and they contact you directly with options suited to commercial kitchen equipment.

1–2 business days

Settle & install

If you accept an offer, the lender settles directly with your supplier.

Varies by lender

FAQ

Kitchen equipment finance FAQ

Is KitchenCompare a lender?

No. We compare equipment prices independently. Finance enquiries are passed to accredited brokers and lenders — we don't approve credit or set rates.

Will enquiring affect my credit score?

Enquiring through our form does not run a credit check. If you proceed with a lender, they may run their own credit enquiry as part of assessment.

Can I finance used equipment?

Some lenders finance quality used commercial equipment; age and condition limits apply. Compare used listings on KitchenCompare where available, then confirm eligibility with your broker.

Should I compare prices before applying for finance?

Yes. A lower purchase price reduces the amount you need to finance. We track 101 retailers on exact model numbers so you see the real market range.

What's the difference between lease and chattel mortgage?

Ownership, GST timing and balance-sheet treatment differ. See the structures section above and confirm with your accountant — we provide general information only.

Are calculator results a quote?

No. The calculator on this page is indicative only. It excludes fees, balloons and lender-specific pricing. It is not an offer of credit.

Can I include installation and freight?

Many brokers include delivery and install in the financed amount if they're on the supplier invoice. Freight is not estimated on KitchenCompare — confirm costs with your dealer.

Do you take commission on finance?

We don't take a cut of your equipment price. If we receive referral fees from brokers, that does not change comparison rankings or the prices shown in our catalogue.

Ready to compare finance?

Get your kitchen finance quote today

Free enquiry · No credit check to enquire · ~2 minutes · Australia-wide · Not credit advice

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Australia wide Prices in AUD inc GST from national retailers.