1800 199 302
Prime Mover Finance Australia — No Tax Returns for Owner-Operators
Specialist finance for truck owner-operators. No tax returns up to $500,000. New and used prime movers. Settled in days.
GET A FREE QUOTE CALL 1800 199 302
Finance that works for owner-operators, not against them
Running your own prime mover means your income is real, your operation is profitable, and your truck is what earns your living. But when you walk into a bank to finance a new or replacement unit, they want two years of tax returns, business financials, and weeks to make a decision — while the truck you need is sitting at a dealer waiting for someone to buy it.
CarFund has been arranging heavy truck finance for self-employed owner-operators for over 20 years. We don’t require tax returns for truck finance up to $500,000. Our process takes 10 minutes to apply, 24 hours to approve, and 2–3 days to settle. We work with specialist commercial lenders — including Macquarie Bank and Capital Finance — who understand transport operators and assess applications accordingly.
What we finance
Prime movers and tractors
- Day cab prime movers
- Sleeper cab prime movers
- All major brands: Kenworth, Mack, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz Actros, Freightliner, Western Star, Scania, MAN, DAF
Trailer configurations
- Semi-trailers (all types)
- B-double combinations
- Road train configurations
- Drop deck, flat top, curtain sider, refrigerated, tanker, and tipper trailers
Used and older units
High-kilometre and older prime movers are assessed on condition and value — not automatically excluded. Call us with the specific unit and we’ll give you a direct answer.
Borrowing capacity
| Maximum — no tax returns | $500,000 |
| Loan term | 1 to 7 years |
| Balloon payment | Yes — aligns with truck trade cycle |
| Deposit (property owner) | Not required |
| Pre-approval | Yes — before you find the truck |
| Approval | 24 hours |
| Settlement | 2–3 business days |
Note on amounts above $500,000: For prime movers above $500,000, income verification is required — typically 3–6 months of business bank statements rather than full tax returns. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
Why a balloon payment makes sense for prime mover finance
Owner-operators typically trade their prime mover every 3–5 years as part of managing maintenance costs and fuel efficiency. A balloon payment aligns the finance structure with this trade cycle — you defer a portion of the loan balance to the end of the term, keeping monthly repayments lower while the truck is earning, and settle the balloon when you trade or sell the unit.
Chattel mortgage for transport operators
The chattel mortgage is the standard product for prime mover and trailer finance.
- Truck is registered in your name from settlement
- GST on the purchase price claimed back at your next BAS (if GST-registered) — significant on a $350,000+ unit
- Interest repayments fully tax deductible
- Depreciation claimable on business-use proportion
- No kilometre or usage restrictions
- Balloon payment available
Our process
1 — Quote (5 minutes): Call 1800 199 302 or use our online form. Response within 30 minutes, 7 days.
2 — Application (10 minutes): One form, online or phone. No tax returns for most applications to $500,000.
3 — Approval (24 hours): Submitted to the right lender for your profile.
4 — Settlement (2–3 days): We pay the seller directly — dealer, private seller, or auction house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I finance a prime mover if my tax returns aren’t current?
Yes. No tax returns required for truck finance up to $500,000 at CarFund. This is our standard offering for owner-operators.
Can I finance a used or high-km prime mover?
Yes — condition and value assessed, not age or kilometres alone. Give us the details of the specific unit and we’ll give you a straight answer.
Can I finance the prime mover and trailer separately?
Yes. They can be financed as separate facilities or as a combination depending on the transaction. We’ll structure it the most efficient way for your situation.
I’ve been knocked back by a bank — can CarFund still help?
Yes. Bank declines are common for owner-operators and almost always reflect a documentation mismatch, not creditworthiness. Most of our transport operator clients have been through a bank first.
Does a quote affect my credit score?
No — zero impact until you formally proceed.
Get your prime mover financed today
FREE QUOTE → | Call 1800 199 302 — 7 days a week
CarFund.com.au | Specialist heavy truck finance for owner-operators — 20+ years