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
Takes two minutes. Indicative enquiry only — not an offer of credit.
101Australian retailers tracked
48,846Products compared
417Brands in catalogue
361,302Tracked 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.
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.
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
1
Compare equipment prices
Lock in the models and market range on KitchenCompare before you ask for finance.
Same day
2
Submit an enquiry
Complete the form at the top of this page with your contact and business details.
~2 minutes
3
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
4
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