Sector — Manufacturing

Manufacturing Equipment Finance Australia 2026

Fund your next machine. From CNC lathes and laser cutters to full production lines — specialist lenders, no upfront broker fee.

60+

Lender Panel

15+

Plant-Active Lenders

$0

Upfront Broker Fee

$50K+

Minimum Deal Size

Key takeaways

  • Manufacturing equipment finance covers CNC machines, lathes, presses, laser cutters, production lines, welding equipment, and general industrial machinery. The equipment serves as security for the loan.
  • Lender selection matters more in manufacturing than in almost any other sector. A lender who understands a Mazak CNC lathe’s resale value will price it very differently from a generalist who classifies it as “industrial equipment.” That difference can be 2%–3% on the rate.
  • Rates for established manufacturers with clean credit and new equipment from recognised brands typically range from 5.5% to 9% p.a. Rates current as of June 2026. Individual circumstances vary.
  • Factory fit-outs involving multiple machines can be consolidated into a single finance package, simplifying administration and potentially improving the rate.

Australian manufacturing is evolving — higher precision, more automation, smarter production. Whether you’re a sheet metal fabricator in Wetherill Park, a food manufacturer in Brendale, a precision engineering shop in Dandenong, or a timber processor in the Hunter Valley, the common thread is that competitive manufacturing requires capital investment in equipment.

Equipment finance lets you acquire the machinery your operation needs without draining the cash reserves you rely on for materials, wages, and working capital. For a detailed overview of how equipment finance works, structures, and rates across all industries, see our complete equipment finance guide.

This page focuses specifically on what manufacturers need to know.

What we finance for manufacturers

CNC and precision machinery: CNC lathes, milling machines, machining centres, grinding machines, EDM machines. Brands with strong resale markets (Mazak, DMG Mori, Haas, Okuma, Doosan) attract the most competitive rates. Machinery finance — detailed guide →

Metal fabrication: Laser cutters, plasma cutters, press brakes, guillotines, punching machines, welding equipment. Trumpf, Amada, Bystronic, and ESAB equipment is well-understood by specialist lenders.

Printing and packaging: Digital and offset printing presses, packaging lines, labelling machines, die cutters, binding equipment.

Food and beverage processing: Commercial ovens, mixers, bottling lines, pasteurisers, cold rooms, commercial kitchens, packaging equipment.

Woodworking and timber: CNC routers, panel saws, edge banders, planers, dust extraction systems.

Plastics and composites: Injection moulding machines, extruders, thermoforming equipment, 3D printers.

Automation and robotics: Robotic arms, conveyor systems, PLC-controlled production lines, automated assembly cells.

General industrial: Compressors, generators, forklifts, workshop equipment, material handling systems.

Why lender matching matters for manufacturing

This is the single most important point for manufacturers seeking finance — and it’s covered in depth in our machinery finance guide. The short version:

A $200,000 Mazak CNC lathe has a well-established secondary market. Specialist lenders who finance manufacturing equipment regularly understand this and price accordingly — often 6%–8% p.a. for established businesses with clean credit.

A generalist lender whose credit team mainly assesses vehicles may classify the same machine as “specialist industrial equipment” and quote 9%–11% because their risk model doesn’t account for the strong resale market.

The cost of wrong lender selection

That 3% gap on $200,000 over 5 years is approximately $17,000 in extra interest. Same machine, same business, different lender — dramatically different cost. A broker who knows the manufacturing lending landscape routes your application to the right specialist.

Factory fit-outs and multi-machine packages

Manufacturing investments often involve multiple machines — a production line might include a laser cutter, a press brake, and a bending machine. Or a workshop expansion might require a CNC lathe, a milling machine, and an extraction system.

Consolidating these into a single finance package can offer advantages: one set of establishment fees, simplified administration, and potentially volume-based pricing. Some lenders also finance ancillary costs (installation, commissioning, factory modifications) as part of the equipment finance package — but not all do. Your broker can identify which lenders offer all-inclusive financing.

Real example

This example illustrates how manufacturing equipment finance can work in practice. Individual outcomes depend on your specific circumstances.

J.R., Auburn, NSW — Precision engineering workshop, 11 years trading

Financing a new Haas ST-30Y CNC lathe ($185,000) to add turning capacity alongside his existing milling machines. Clean credit, strong financials. His bank quoted 8.9% on a standard business loan — their credit team didn’t distinguish between a Haas CNC and any other piece of industrial equipment. We matched him to a specialist lender who understood the Haas brand’s resale position. Approved at 6.7% p.a. chattel mortgage over 5 years. The rate difference saved approximately $10,500 in interest over the term.

Individual circumstances vary. Outcomes depend on lender assessment and are not guaranteed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I finance used manufacturing equipment?
Yes. Used machinery from recognised brands with documented service histories is financeable. The machine should have a reasonable remaining useful life beyond the loan term. Brand reputation and resale market depth directly affect the rate — well-known brands attract better pricing than niche or custom-built equipment.
Can I include installation costs in the finance?
Some lenders will finance installation, commissioning, and delivery as part of the equipment package. Others only finance the machinery itself. If installation costs are significant, ask your broker to identify lenders who offer all-inclusive financing.
How does technology obsolescence affect manufacturing finance?
Equipment that becomes technologically obsolete faster than it wears out physically (such as older-generation 3D printers or certain automation systems) may attract shorter maximum loan terms or higher rates because the lender’s residual value assessment is more conservative. Well-established CNC, metalworking, and industrial machinery typically has longer useful lives and more predictable depreciation.
What documents do I need?
Standard: last two years of tax returns, last two BAS statements, 3–6 months of bank statements, supplier quote for the machinery. Low-doc: ABN (6–12 months minimum), BAS statements, bank statements, and the machinery quote. Equipment finance for small business →

Finance for manufacturers who build things

Novara Finance works with fabricators, precision engineers, food producers, printers, and industrial manufacturers across Australia. We match your specific machinery to the lender best positioned for that asset class.

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.

Novara Finance Pty Ltd | AFSL 517192 | ABN 99 687 789 144

Last updated: June 2026 · Reviewed by Chris Rowlands, Head of Special Projects, Novara Finance