Get a Fast QuoteCheck Eligibility

Keep cash in the business. A lease frees up the working capital you need for jobs, stock and wages.

Sole Trader & Small Business

Lease Your Next Work Vehicle Through the Business

Tax-effective vehicle leases for sole traders and small business owners. Keep your working capital free, claim what you’re entitled to, and upgrade when the business grows.

70+ lenderson our panel
Australian teamnot a call centre
Brokers available now

Get Your Lease Quote in 60 Seconds

No obligation. No credit check. We call you back.

$0
Deposit options available
48hr
Typical approval time
2–5yr
Flexible lease terms
GST
Claimable on payments
Three Lease Structures, Explained Simply
Business leasing isn’t one product — it’s a family of products. Here’s how to pick the right one for your situation.

Finance Lease

Want to own it eventually

You lease the vehicle from the lender with a residual (balloon) due at the end. At term end, you typically pay out the residual and take ownership.

  • Lower monthly payments than a loan
  • Residual can be refinanced
  • Vehicle is yours at term end
  • GST claimable on payments
  • Tax deductible for business use

Chattel Mortgage

Want ownership from day one

Not technically a lease, but compared alongside them. You own the vehicle from day one and the lender holds security over it until paid off.

  • You own the vehicle from day one
  • Claim depreciation and interest
  • GST claimable upfront
  • Instant Asset Write-Off may apply
  • Fixed payments, balloon optional
Common Confusion

“Can a sole trader get a novated lease?”

This is one of the most-searched questions in Australia and the straight answer is: strictly speaking, no. A novated lease is a three-way agreement between an employee, their employer, and a finance company — and as a sole trader, you don’t have an “employer” in that sense.

But — and this is the important part — you can access very similar tax benefits through a finance lease, operating lease or chattel mortgage structured through your ABN. You get the deductions, you get the GST treatment, and in many cases the end result is financially comparable. We’ll walk you through which one actually fits your situation.

Built for the Way Small Business Actually Runs
If any of these sound like you, a business lease probably saves you real money.

The Sole Trader

  • You run the business and drive the ute
  • Want tax-effective without company structure
  • Need someone to explain options in plain English

“My accountant said a lease might suit me but I just want someone to explain the options in English.”

Small Business Owner

  • 2–10 employees, growing operation
  • Can’t afford to sink $60k+ into a depreciating asset
  • Cash needs to stay in the business

“If I tie up $70k in a work vehicle, I can’t quote on the bigger jobs. The lease keeps the cash where it needs to be.”

Researching for the Business

  • Office manager, spouse or bookkeeper
  • Asked to sort out the new vehicle finance
  • Needs to present clear options to the boss

“He just told me to ‘sort out the finance’ for the new HiLux. I need it explained properly so I can present the options.”

Growing Fleet

  • Already has 2–3 vehicles, needs another
  • Wants predictable fleet management
  • Operating leases for upgrade cycle

“I want the whole fleet on the same upgrade cycle. Every three years, fresh vehicles, no resale headaches.”

From First Call to Keys in Hand
No fluff. Here’s exactly what happens after you hit “Get My Quote.”
1

Quick chat

A real broker calls you back. We ask about your business, the vehicle and what matters to you. Not a chatbot, not a call centre.

60 seconds
2

Structure explained

We show you finance lease vs operating lease vs chattel mortgage with real numbers on your situation. No jargon, no surprises.

Same day
3

Approval

Submit the application with standard business docs. We chase the lender so you don’t have to.

24–48 hours
4

Sign and drive

Sign the lease, collect the vehicle, start claiming the business use immediately. You’re earning.

Stop Tying Up Working Capital in Work Vehicles

Cash in a ute is cash that can’t go into jobs, stock and wages. Check your eligibility — takes 60 seconds, costs nothing.

Check Eligibility Now →
No credit check No obligation No fees to you
Businesses Who Got Their Vehicle Lease Sorted
Here’s what happened when these businesses came to us.
I kept getting told sole traders can’t get novated leases. They explained what I could actually do — a finance lease through my ABN — and the tax outcome is honestly not much different.
P
Peter L.
Sole Trader, Brisbane
Finance lease for sole trader
Had the new Ranger approved in two days. Best part was they laid the numbers out three different ways so I could see which option made sense for us.
J
James R.
Small Business Owner, Sydney
Approved in 48 hours
I was about to drop $55k cash on a van. The broker walked me through why leasing kept the cash free for the business. Saved us on a contract two months later.
N
Nicole H.
Business Owner, Melbourne
Working capital preserved
Frequently Asked Questions
Strictly speaking, no — a novated lease is a three-way agreement between an employee, an employer and a finance company, and a sole trader doesn’t have an “employer” in that sense. However, sole traders can access very similar benefits through a finance lease, operating lease or chattel mortgage structured through their ABN.
A finance lease transfers most of the risks and rewards of ownership to you — you effectively own the vehicle in substance and typically pay a residual at the end. An operating lease is more like a long-term rental — the lessor keeps the ownership risk, payments are often lower, and you hand the vehicle back at the end.
Generally yes. If you’re GST-registered, you can usually claim GST credits on the lease payments for the business-use portion. Lease payments are typically tax deductible to the extent the vehicle is used for business. Always confirm with your accountant.
Often no. Many business leases can be structured with minimal or no upfront payment — which keeps working capital free for jobs, stock and wages.
For established ABNs (2+ years) with reasonable financials, approval can come back in 24–48 hours. Newer ABNs can take 3–5 business days.
Depends on the lease type. Finance lease: you pay a residual (balloon) and take ownership, refinance the residual, or sell. Operating lease: you hand the vehicle back, often with the option to upgrade into a new lease.
Early termination is possible but there are usually costs — typically the remaining payments or an agreed break figure. Business leases can often be transferred or restructured if your situation changes.