Aviation Ground Support Equipment Finance
For ground handlers, FBOs, maintenance providers and regional airports buying airside equipment. Tell us what you need and who it supports, and we'll pass your enquiry to a licensed finance broker who works with a range of lenders. It takes about 60 seconds and there's no credit check to enquire.
- No credit check to enquire
- Free to enquire, with no obligation to go ahead
- A licensed broker calls you, usually within one business day
Check my eligibility
About 60 seconds. No credit check to enquire.
Who we help
- Ground handling companies: tugs, towbarless tractors, belt loaders and baggage carts
- FBOs and charter operators: GPUs, air start units and pre-conditioned air
- Aircraft maintenance organisations: jacks, stands, lifts and tooling
- Regional and private airport operators: servicing carts, de-icing and information displays
- Cargo handlers: container and pallet loaders, dollies
- Contractors winning new airline work: equipment needed to start a service contract
Why GSE is a specialised asset
To a lender, ground support equipment is very different from a ute or a forklift. Most GSE never goes on a public road, and the pool of buyers for a used aircraft tug or air start unit is small. That affects how finance is assessed:
- Resale value: with fewer buyers, lenders may lend a lower share of the price, ask for a deposit, or want a valuation, particularly for used or imported units.
- The contract behind it: airline ground handling and service agreements are often the main thing lenders look at. A loan term that fits within the contract term, or a history of renewals, helps.
- Standard vs bespoke: common items like GPUs, belt loaders and baggage tugs are easier to finance than equipment built for one aircraft type.
- Electric GSE: battery-electric tugs and loaders are increasingly common. Lenders may ask about battery life and warranty, as these drive value later on.
Structures to consider
| Option | How it works | Often suits |
|---|---|---|
| Chattel mortgage | Your business owns the equipment | Core equipment you will use across several contracts |
| Finance lease | The lessor owns it; you pay a residual or return it | Equipment tied to a single contract with a set end date |
| Hire purchase | Ownership passes after the final payment | Businesses that want ownership with fixed instalments |
| Rental | The rental provider owns it and may handle maintenance | Short contracts, peak seasons or trialling electric GSE |
With a chattel mortgage your business can generally claim interest and depreciation, and a GST-registered business may claim the GST credit upfront. Under a lease, the lease payments are generally deductible. Small businesses with turnover under $10 million can use the instant asset write-off for eligible assets costing less than $20,000 each, which may cover smaller carts, stands and tooling.
Low doc or full doc? Given the specialised nature of GSE, most lenders prefer full financials for larger purchases. Low doc may be possible for established operators buying standard equipment.
How it works
- Tell us about the equipment and your operation in the short form below.
- A licensed broker calls you, usually within one business day, to talk through your options.
- If it suits you, they handle the application with a lender that fits your circumstances.
What you'll usually need
- Photo ID, ABN and how long the business has operated
- Supplier quotes or invoices, including whether units are new, used or imported
- Full doc: two years of financials and tax returns. Low doc: recent BAS and business bank statements
- Ground handling or service contracts, including term and renewal history
- Airside access and accreditation details where relevant
- Existing equipment finance commitments
Every lender has its own criteria, so your broker will tell you exactly what's needed for your situation.
Specialised equipment finance guides
- Equipment finance: all equipment types
- What is a chattel mortgage and how does it work?
- Fleet financing options for Australian businesses
- Do ABN loans require personal guarantees?
- How GST affects finance for businesses
- How brokers help with low doc business finance
Common questions
Can I finance used or imported GSE?
Some lenders will. Because the resale market is small, expect them to ask for detailed invoices, an independent valuation or a deposit, and to set a shorter term on older units.
Does a new airline contract help?
Usually, yes. A signed service agreement shows where repayments will come from. Lenders often like the loan term to sit within the contract term.
Is leasing better than buying for contract work?
It can be when equipment is tied to one contract with a known end date, since a lease or rental can end when the contract does. If you'll redeploy the equipment across several contracts, owning it may suit better.
Can I finance electric tugs and loaders?
Yes, many lenders treat electric GSE like other equipment. They may ask about battery condition and warranty, which affect value later in the term.
Does enquiring affect my credit score?
No. Filling in our enquiry form isn't a credit application. A credit check only happens if you choose to go ahead with an application through the broker.