Types of business finance: equipment, vehicles, property-secured, commercial property and software

Last updated 3 November 2026 · Reviewed by 360 group Compliance

What are the main types of business finance?

• Equipment and vehicle finance: buy or use a vehicle, machine or piece of equipment and pay for it over time. The asset usually acts as security. 360 Asset Finance can help.
• Property-secured business loans: borrow for a business purpose against residential or commercial property. 360 MMS can help.
• Commercial property loans: buy or refinance offices, shops, warehouses and other commercial property. 360 MMS can help.
• Software finance: spread the cost of software subscriptions, implementation and managed services. 360 SaaSFin can help.
• Unsecured business loans: borrow without offering a specific asset as security. 360 Asset Finance can arrange these through its lender panel.

How does equipment and vehicle finance work?

Equipment and vehicle finance lets a business get the asset it needs now and pay for it over an agreed term. 360 Asset Finance is a specialist asset and equipment finance broker, not a lender. It works with a panel of lenders across Australia and New Zealand and can help with:

• cars, utes, vans, trucks and trailers
• earthmoving equipment, forklifts, generators and other plant
• medical equipment, IT hardware, marine and aviation assets.

Common structures include a chattel mortgage, a finance lease, an operating lease or rental, and commercial hire purchase. Who owns the asset during the term depends on the structure. Ask your accountant about GST and how each structure is treated for tax.

Can I borrow against property to fund my business?

In some cases, yes. 360 MMS is a non-bank lender, and residential property can secure a loan for a business purpose, with some exclusions: for example, the loan can't be used to buy a business or goodwill, or for a development. Business-purpose loans to companies are also available, secured by residential or commercial property.

Using your home as security puts it at risk if the business can't repay, so it's worth talking to your accountant before you decide.

What about buying or refinancing commercial property?

360 MMS lends against offices, shops and retail premises, industrial buildings and warehouses, and mixed-use property. Specialised property, such as medical suites or childcare centres, may be accepted with its own criteria. Commercial loans can be full doc, alt doc or lease doc, depending on how you show you can repay. 360 MMS also offers development finance for small to mid-scale projects, and loans for SMSFs buying commercial property that meets the business real property rules.

How can a business fund software and technology?

Software finance lets a business spread the cost of software and the services around it into regular payments over an agreed term, instead of paying a large amount upfront. 360 SaaSFin can help fund:

• software subscriptions and licences
• upgrades, renewals and expansions
• implementation, consulting and integration services
• managed services and support
• eligible existing software or implementation contracts, through refinancing.

Once the finance is approved and documents are complete, the vendor and partner are paid upfront and your business pays over the agreed term. Software finance is for businesses only. Your accountant can tell you how it's treated in your accounts.

What is an unsecured business loan?

An unsecured business loan isn't backed by a specific asset such as equipment or property. 360 Asset Finance can arrange unsecured business loans through its lender panel. The lender will assess your application against its criteria and may ask a director or owner to act as guarantor.

How do I work out which type of finance fits?

Start with what you're paying for, then think about what security you're comfortable offering, how the repayments fit your cash flow and how your business is structured. Your accountant can help with the tax and structure questions, and our team can talk you through which part of the 360 group may be able to help.

FAQs

General information only. It doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, and it isn't credit, tax or legal advice. All finance is subject to lending criteria, and fees and charges apply. Kuone Pty Ltd T/As 360 MMS (ABN 81 621 683 672), Australian Credit Licence 504193. 360 Asset Finance and 360 SaaSFin: Kuone Consulting Pty Ltd (ABN 75 647 329 002), Australian Credit Licence 566705.