Sector — Healthcare
From imaging suites to dental chairs to full practice fit-outs — specialist healthcare lenders, no upfront broker fee.
60+
Lender Panel
8+
Healthcare-Active Lenders
$0
Upfront Broker Fee
$50K+
Minimum Deal Size
Healthcare equipment represents some of the highest-value and longest-lasting assets in equipment finance. A digital X-ray system, a CT scanner, or a dental chair isn’t replaced every few years — these are decade-plus investments that serve the practice for their full useful life.
The challenge for many healthcare practitioners is that the equipment costs are substantial (often $50,000–$500,000+ for imaging systems), while the practice’s revenue comes through a mix of Medicare, private billing, and third-party payments that create a different cash flow pattern from a standard business.
Equipment finance bridges this gap — spreading the cost over the equipment’s useful life while you generate revenue from it from day one.
Medical imaging: X-ray systems, CT scanners, MRI machines, ultrasound equipment, mammography systems. High-value assets with long useful lives and specialist resale markets.
Dental equipment: Dental chairs, panoramic X-ray (OPG) machines, CBCT scanners, autoclaves, dental lasers, practice fit-outs. Dental is one of the most common healthcare finance segments.
Surgical and procedural equipment: Operating tables, anaesthetic machines, surgical lighting, endoscopy systems, laparoscopic equipment.
Diagnostic and laboratory: Pathology analysers, haematology systems, clinical chemistry equipment, point-of-care testing devices.
Veterinary equipment: Veterinary X-ray, surgical tables, dental units, anaesthetic machines, in-house pathology. Financed on the same basis as human healthcare equipment.
Allied health: Physiotherapy equipment, podiatry chairs, optometry instruments, audiology equipment.
Practice fit-outs: Reception and waiting room furniture, consulting room configurations, cabinetry, IT infrastructure. Some lenders finance fit-outs as part of an equipment package; others treat them separately.
IT and practice management systems: Server infrastructure, practice management software (hardware component), digital record systems.
Medical equipment has some of the longest useful lives in equipment finance. The ATO’s effective life for medical imaging equipment ranges from 10 to 20 years depending on the type. Dental chairs typically last 15–20 years. This means the equipment is generating revenue for your practice long after the finance is repaid — unlike a vehicle that depreciates to near-zero over the same period.
For lenders, long useful life combined with specialist resale markets means lower risk — which should translate to competitive rates. The caveat: only lenders who understand healthcare equipment price this advantage in. A generalist lender may not distinguish between a $200,000 imaging system with a 15-year useful life and a $200,000 piece of industrial machinery with an 8-year life.
Healthcare practices generate income through a mix of Medicare bulk billing, private patient billing, third-party health fund payments, and out-of-pocket patient fees. This creates a revenue pattern that’s different from most businesses — relatively stable and predictable (people don’t stop needing healthcare during economic downturns), but with payment lags between service delivery and income receipt.
Specialist healthcare lenders understand this pattern and assess practice viability differently from generalist lenders. They look at patient volumes, billing mix, and practice location — not just bank statements.
New healthcare practices (whether a dentist opening their first clinic or a GP establishing a new practice) face a specific challenge: the equipment investment is needed before the patient base generates full revenue. Specialist lenders who work with healthcare startups understand this ramp-up period and can structure finance that accommodates lower early revenue with a pathway to full capacity.
| Profile | Rate range (chattel mortgage) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Established practice (3+ years), clean credit, new equipment from recognised manufacturer | 6.0% – 8.5% p.a. | Long asset life, stable revenue, strong practice history. |
| Established practice, used equipment (good condition) | 7.0% – 9.5% p.a. | Age, brand, and condition matter. Service history important. |
| Growing practice (1–3 years) | 8.0% – 11.0% p.a. | Shorter practice history. Patient growth trajectory matters. |
| New practice or startup | 9.5% – 13.0% p.a. | Professional qualifications, location, and deposit strengthen the case. |
Rates current as of June 2026. Comparison rates will be higher once fees are included. Individual circumstances vary. Subject to lender criteria and approval. Detailed equipment finance rate guide →
This example illustrates how healthcare equipment finance can work in practice. Individual outcomes depend on your specific circumstances.
Dr. L.C., Chermside, QLD — Dental practice, 6 years established
Financing a new Planmeca ProMax 3D CBCT scanner ($92,000) and two new A-dec 500 dental chairs ($38,000 each, $76,000 total) — combined $168,000. Clean credit, consistent patient volumes. We matched her to a specialist healthcare lender who understood the equipment’s 15-year useful life and the practice’s stable Medicare and private billing mix. Approved at 7.1% p.a. chattel mortgage over 7 years — a longer term than typical because the equipment’s useful life comfortably supports it. Her bank had only offered a 5-year term, which would have meant $400/month higher repayments.
Individual circumstances vary. Outcomes depend on lender assessment and are not guaranteed. Consult your accountant for tax advice specific to your situation.
Novara Finance works with medical practices, dental clinics, veterinary hospitals, allied health providers, and specialist clinics across Australia. We match your equipment to lenders who understand healthcare — from asset lives to billing patterns to the specific value of your equipment’s brand and model.
Talk to the team — no cost, no obligation.
This article contains general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should consider whether the information is appropriate for your circumstances before acting on it. Consider seeking independent financial, tax, or legal advice. All finance applications are subject to lender criteria and approval. Rates mentioned are indicative and current as of June 2026 — individual circumstances vary. Past examples are illustrative only and do not guarantee any particular outcome.
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Last updated: June 2026 · Reviewed by Ryan Masters, Director of National Sales, Novara Finance