Asset and resale characteristics
Asset type, age, condition, supplier and expected resale value can affect lender policy and pricing.
Business finance decision tool
Compare business finance rates, fees and balloons.
Start with verified Australian benchmark data, then enter the figures from two written business vehicle, truck or equipment finance quotes to compare estimated monthly and total cash outflow.
RateSmart does not publish a universal “rate from” figure because pricing and eligibility vary by lender, asset and applicant. The benchmarks below are official aggregates—not RateSmart quotes or panel rates.
Official reference figures
RBA business-lending benchmarks
These APRA/RBA averages combine broad categories of Australian business lending. They do not isolate truck, equipment or commercial-vehicle finance and do not include every fee or borrower scenario.
| RBA cash rate target | 4.60% | Effective 30 September 2026 Source: RBA cash rate target |
|---|---|---|
| New small-business lending average | 7.23% p.a. | August 2026 Source: APRA/RBA, Table F7 |
| Outstanding small-business lending average | 7.47% p.a. | August 2026 Source: APRA/RBA, Table F7 |
Lending averages review: 19 October 2026.
Cash rate review: 3 November 2026.
Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate target Reserve Bank of Australia lenders' interest rates — Table F7
How should these business lending statistics be used?
Use them as market context, not as a quote for an individual business. Table F7 separates new lending from outstanding loans and includes both fixed and variable interest rates. Comparing those two categories is not a measure of how one borrower’s rate changed.
RateSmart transcribes the small-business rows from the RBA’s published summary without estimating missing months. The observation month is separate from the date we checked the source. The cash rate has its own effective date and should not be compared as though it were an asset-finance offer.
Referencing this table
Credit APRA/RBA as the data source and include the loan category, observation month and annual percentage unit. Link to the original RBA table; if using this explanation, the benchmark heading and individual row labels provide direct links to the relevant section. This is a secondary summary, not original RateSmart research.
Link to the benchmark tableSide-by-side quote check
Use the figures the lender actually gave you.
Your quote figures
Compare two options on the same amount
This tool supplies no market rate. Enter the business-purpose loan figures from two written quotes that use the same amount and comparable loan structure.
Enter the annual rate shown on both business finance quotes.A genuine 0.00% rate is valid. Leave no field blank, and enter $0 where a fee or balloon does not apply.
Business-purpose loan estimate only. Assumes a nominal reducing-balance annual rate, monthly payments in arrears and that entered upfront fees are paid separately rather than added to the loan. It is not a statutory comparison rate, lender quote, approval or recommendation. Do not use it to compare a lease with a loan or options with different financed amounts. Government charges, conditional fees, early payout costs, insurance, taxes and other costs are excluded unless entered.
Discuss the quote detailsWhy quotes differ
The rate is one input, not the whole decision.
Ask for the complete quote and compare like-for-like business-purpose loan structures.
Business and credit profile
Time trading, available records, repayment history and existing commitments may influence assessment.
Deposit and security
A deposit, trade-in, additional security or guarantee can change the amount and risk being financed.
Term and balloon
A longer term or larger balloon can reduce regular repayments while changing total interest and the final obligation.
Fees and payout conditions
Establishment, ongoing, early-payout and conditional charges can change total cost beyond the stated rate.
Loan structure
A loan, chattel mortgage and lease are not interchangeable. Compare like-for-like structures and confirm tax treatment with an accountant.
Asset-specific context
Check what matters for the asset you are financing.
- Business vehicle finance ratesVehicle age, condition, seller type, deposit or trade-in and intended business use can all affect the structure a lender is prepared to assess.
- Truck finance ratesTruck age, make, body type, condition, intended work, amount and the business profile can change lender appetite and pricing.
- Equipment and machinery finance ratesEquipment category, age, supplier, useful life, installation costs and resale characteristics may be relevant to the available options.
Important distinction
This is not a statutory comparison rate.
ASIC explains that the statutory comparison-rate regime applies to advertised fixed-term credit mainly for personal, domestic or household use. It combines the interest rate with most—but not all—fees.
This page instead compares estimated business-loan cash outflow using only the figures you enter. It does not rank lenders, cover the whole market or account for tax, GST, lease structures or conditional costs.
ASIC National Credit Code and comparison-rate guidanceCommon questions
About business finance rates
What is the average small-business lending rate in Australia?
APRA/RBA Table F7 reports an average rate of 7.23% p.a. on new small-business loans and 7.47% p.a. on outstanding small-business loans for August 2026. They are aggregate averages across business lending, not equipment, truck or vehicle finance quotes.
Is the RBA cash rate an equipment or vehicle finance rate?
No. The cash rate is the overnight rate targeted by the Reserve Bank. It influences broader interest rates but is not a retail asset-finance rate, lender quote or RateSmart panel rate.
Why do many lenders not publish one equipment-finance rate?
Business asset pricing can depend on the business, asset, supplier, loan amount, term, security and lender assessment. A single advertised figure may not apply to a particular request.
Is the lowest annual interest rate always the lowest-cost option?
Not necessarily. Fees, term, balloon, payout conditions and the amount financed can change both regular repayments and total cash outflow.
Can this tool compare a lease with a loan?
No. The calculator is for two business-purpose reducing-balance loan quotes using the same financed amount. Lease payments, tax treatment and ownership outcomes require a different comparison.