Car & Asset Finance Broker — Melbourne & Geelong
Whether you’re a private buyer looking for the sharpest rate on your next car, a business owner financing a vehicle or equipment fleet, or an employee wanting to package an EV under salary packaging — Integrated Finance Group compares 30+ car and asset finance lenders to get you approved fast, at a rate that works. Melbourne’s local alternative to going direct to a bank or dealership finance department.
Car & Asset Finance Products We Arrange
The right finance product depends on how you use the vehicle, whether GST is claimed, your employment situation, and your cashflow strategy. Here’s a plain-English breakdown of each option:
🚗 Consumer Car Loan
A secured personal loan for vehicles used primarily for private purposes. The car is your security, rates are competitive and you own the vehicle outright from day one.
- New and used vehicles
- Fixed or variable rate options
- Optional balloon/residual
- Loan terms 1–7 years
- 100% finance available
💰 Chattel Mortgage
Australia’s most common business vehicle finance product. You own the vehicle from settlement. GST on purchase price claimable upfront; interest and depreciation tax-deductible.
- Full GST input tax credit upfront
- Interest & depreciation deductible
- Balloon payment to reduce repayments
- Suits ABN holders & companies
- New, demo & used vehicles
🚚 Commercial Hire Purchase
Similar tax benefits to chattel mortgage. The finance company owns the vehicle during the loan term; you take ownership on final payment. Suits businesses wanting structured fixed payments.
- GST claimable on repayments
- Interest deductible (not depreciation)
- Fixed monthly repayments
- No balloon or with residual
- On or off balance sheet options
⚡ Novated Lease
A three-way agreement between you, your employer and the lender. Repayments deducted from pre-tax salary reduce your taxable income. Running costs can be bundled into the lease package.
- Pre-tax salary deductions
- Reduces assessable income
- Running costs packaged in
- EV FBT exemption available
- Portable if you change employer
Compare Car Finance Products at a Glance
Not sure which product suits your situation? This comparison covers the key decision points:
| Feature | Consumer Loan | Chattel Mortgage | Hire Purchase (CHP) | Novated Lease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Private buyers | Business owners | Business / fleet | Employees (PAYG) |
| Own vehicle from day 1 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ At loan end | ✗ Option at end |
| GST claimable on purchase | ✗ No | ✓ Yes (upfront) | ◆ On repayments | ◆ On repayments |
| Interest tax deductible | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Via pre-tax |
| Depreciation deductible | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✗ No (lessor) | ✗ No (lessor) |
| Pre-tax salary benefits | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Running costs packaged | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ Optional |
| EV FBT exemption | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ Yes (eligible EVs) |
| ABN / low-doc options | ✗ Limited | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ Employer required |
◆ Partial benefit. Tax treatment varies by circumstance — confirm with your accountant before selecting a product.
⚡ Electric Vehicle Finance — The FBT Exemption Explained
The ATO’s EV FBT exemption makes novated leasing for electric vehicles one of the most significant tax saving opportunities available to employees in Australia. Here’s what it means in practice:
Zero FBT on Eligible EVs
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and eligible plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) leased via a novated arrangement attract no Fringe Benefits Tax, removing the main cost disadvantage of novated leasing versus direct purchase.
Pre-Tax Repayments + Running Costs
Your employer deducts both the lease repayment and packaged running costs (charging, insurance, registration, servicing) from your pre-tax salary, reducing your taxable income dollar-for-dollar.
The PHEV exemption has a sunset date. Current ATO guidance applies to vehicles below the luxury car threshold. Confirm current eligibility with your accountant or salary packaging provider.
Why Use IFG for EV Finance?
- We compare 30+ lenders including EV-specialist financiers
- Consumer EV loans for private buyers at competitive rates
- Novated lease structuring for PAYG employees
- Chattel mortgage for ABN holders claiming full GST credits
- We explain the full tax picture so you choose correctly
- Same fast approval process as any other vehicle
Equipment & Commercial Asset Finance
Vehicle finance is just the start. IFG arranges business finance for virtually any depreciable commercial asset. If your business needs to purchase equipment to generate income, we can usually structure finance for it — with the same tax advantages (chattel mortgage / CHP) that apply to business vehicles.
Equipment finance works exactly like business vehicle finance — chattel mortgage holds the asset as security, you own it from day one, and GST plus depreciation benefits apply. We also arrange low-doc equipment finance for ABN holders with 6+ months trading history, where income is verified via bank statements rather than full financials.
Who We Help With Car & Asset Finance
Private Buyers
Financing a new or used car for personal use. Consumer loan with fixed or variable rate, fast approval, competitive rate vs. dealership finance.
Business Owners
Chattel mortgage or CHP for business vehicles and equipment. Full GST and tax benefits, balloon payment structuring, ABN and company borrowers.
PAYG Employees
Novated lease through your employer. Pre-tax repayments reduce taxable income, especially compelling for eligible EVs under the FBT exemption.
Self-Employed & ABN Holders
Low-doc chattel mortgage using BAS statements or accountant declaration. Specialist lenders for 1–2 year ABN holders who can’t provide full tax returns.
Fleet Operators
Multiple vehicles financed simultaneously. CHP or chattel mortgage for fleet owners needing consistent repayment structures across a vehicle pool.
Impaired Credit
Specialist lenders assess each application on its merits. We match your profile to lenders with appropriate risk appetite — no judgment, no broker fees.
How Car & Asset Finance Works at IFG
From first call to keys-in-hand, here’s the process:
Quick Consultation
Tell us the vehicle, how it will be used (personal/business), your employment type, and your target repayment. Takes 10–15 minutes.
Product Selection
We recommend the right product — consumer loan, chattel mortgage, CHP or novated lease — based on your situation, tax position and cashflow goals.
Lender Compare & Pre-Approval
We compare 30+ lenders, select the most competitive for your profile and submit for pre-approval. Same-day in most cases for standard applications.
Find Your Vehicle
With pre-approval in hand, you buy from any dealer or private seller. We can work with your dealer’s finance team or deal directly with them on your behalf.
Formal Approval & Settlement
We submit vehicle details and manage final approval. Settlement typically takes 1–3 days for consumer loans and 2–5 days for commercial products.
Car & Asset Finance Lenders We Access
We compare pricing, credit policy and conditions across a broad panel of vehicle and equipment finance lenders — including specialist lenders not available through banks or car dealerships:
We are remunerated by lenders at settlement. We do not charge broker fees to borrowers. Our goal is the most competitive loan for your profile — not the most profitable loan for us.
Meet Your IFG Car & Asset Finance Specialists
Brian Hermosilla is IFG’s co-founder and lead broker with over 20 years of finance experience across home loans, investment lending, and vehicle & asset finance. Brian works with private buyers, business owners and ABN holders to identify the right finance product — consumer loan, chattel mortgage, CHP or novated lease — and match it to the most competitive lender for their profile. His broad lender relationships mean clients access deals that aren’t available through banks or dealership finance desks.
Brian is a member of the MFAA and an Authorised Credit Representative of BLSSA Pty Ltd (ACL 391237). He works from IFG’s Coburg North office and services clients throughout Melbourne and Geelong.
Frank Marin specialises in business and commercial finance, making him the go-to at IFG for chattel mortgages, commercial hire purchase and equipment finance. Whether you’re a tradie financing a ute, a business owner building a vehicle fleet, or a company investing in plant and equipment, Frank structures finance to maximise your tax position and match your cashflow requirements. He also arranges novated leases and is across the current EV FBT exemption rules in detail.
Frank is a member of the MFAA and an Authorised Credit Representative of BLSSA Pty Ltd (ACL 391237). Together, Brian and Frank provide a combined 30+ years of experience serving Melbourne and Geelong clients across every vehicle and asset finance scenario.
What Our Melbourne Car Finance Clients Say
"Brian organised car finance for our business fleet quickly and at a rate well below what our bank offered. The chattel mortgage structure was perfect for our cashflow and the GST benefit went straight back into the business. Highly recommend IFG."
"I’d been told by my bank I couldn’t get car finance due to a past default. IFG found a specialist lender who assessed my current situation fairly. Approved within two days and a much better experience than I expected. Brilliant."
"Went through IFG for a novated lease on a new EV and saved significantly on tax. The team explained the FBT exemption clearly and handled everything with our payroll department. Will be using IFG for all our financing going forward."
Car & Asset Finance FAQ
What is the difference between a chattel mortgage and a consumer car loan?
A chattel mortgage is a business finance product where the lender holds a mortgage over the vehicle as security, and the business retains ownership from day one. GST on the purchase price and interest can be claimed, and the vehicle can be depreciated. A consumer car loan is for private individuals — no GST or depreciation advantages apply, but eligibility is more straightforward. The right product depends on whether the vehicle is used primarily for business or private purposes.
What is a novated lease and how does it work?
A novated lease is a three-way agreement between you, your employer and the finance company. Repayments are deducted from your pre-tax salary, reducing your taxable income. You choose the car and lease term (typically 2–5 years) and can bundle running costs into the package. At the end of the term, you can refinance, pay the residual and keep the car, or trade up. If you leave your employer, the lease “novates back” to you.
Is there a tax benefit for electric vehicles on a novated lease?
Yes — under the FBT exemption, eligible battery electric vehicles on a novated lease attract zero Fringe Benefits Tax. This makes EV novated leasing exceptionally tax-effective: your employer deducts lease payments and running costs from pre-tax salary with no FBT liability. Check current ATO rules with your accountant, as the PHEV component has a sunset date and eligibility conditions apply.
Can I finance a used vehicle or an older car?
Yes — most lenders finance used vehicles. Age limits vary: some lenders finance vehicles up to 10–12 years old at the end of the loan term, while specialist lenders accommodate older, high-kilometre or classic vehicles. We match your vehicle type to lenders with appropriate policies, so age alone is rarely a barrier.
What equipment can IFG finance beyond motor vehicles?
We arrange finance for virtually any depreciable business asset: agricultural and earthmoving equipment, trucks and trailers, medical and dental equipment, IT and technology, manufacturing and fabrication machinery, fit-out and shopfitting, print and hospitality equipment, and more. If it’s a capital asset your business is purchasing to generate income, we can usually structure finance for it.
How quickly can I get a car loan approved in Melbourne?
Same-day pre-approvals are common for straightforward applications with strong credit profiles. Full approval and settlement typically takes 1–3 business days for consumer loans and 2–5 days for commercial or equipment finance. Having your driver’s licence, pay slips (or BAS statements for ABN holders), and vehicle details ready from the start speeds up the process.
Do I need a deposit for car finance?
Many lenders offer 100% vehicle finance (no deposit required) for both consumer and business products, subject to your credit profile and vehicle type. A deposit of 10–20% can reduce monthly repayments, lower the interest rate offered, and improve approval prospects if your credit history has imperfections. For commercial products, a deposit also reduces the balloon residual, improving end-of-term equity.
Can a self-employed person or ABN holder get car finance?
Absolutely — chattel mortgage and CHP are well-suited to self-employed applicants. Many lenders offer low-doc options for ABN holders with 1–2 years trading history, verified via BAS statements, accountant declaration or bank statements rather than full tax returns. We access specialist lenders with flexible self-employed policies not available directly through major banks.
What is a balloon payment and should I include one?
A balloon (or residual value) is a lump sum payable at the end of the loan term. Including a balloon reduces monthly repayments during the loan, which benefits cashflow. At the end of the term you refinance, pay it out, or trade the vehicle. The trade-off is slower equity building. The ATO prescribes maximum residuals for chattel mortgage and CHP based on vehicle age and term.
Can IFG help if my credit is impaired or I’ve had a default?
Yes — we work with specialist lenders who assess impaired credit on their merits. The outcome depends on the nature, age and amount of the default, your current income and vehicle type. Rates will be higher than standard products, but we always present the most competitive options available to your profile. We do not charge broker fees to applicants.
Car & Asset Finance Across Melbourne & Greater Victoria
We help Melbourne and Geelong clients with car and asset finance from our Coburg North office. We work with borrowers across Melbourne’s north, inner suburbs and wider metropolitan region, as well as Geelong and surrounds.
Ready to Compare Car & Asset Finance Options?
Tell us what you need and we’ll compare 30+ lenders to find the most competitive rate and structure for your situation. Free consultation, no obligation, no fees to you.
Or call us directly: 0401 333 636 (Brian) | 0413 032 898 (Frank)
Credit Representatives 485802 & 486546 of BLSSA Pty Ltd ACL 391237 · MFAA Members. Comparison rate for illustrative purposes only. Tax treatment varies by circumstance — confirm with your accountant before selecting a product.