Car & Ute Finance for Plumbers
Plumbers, gasfitters and drainers who need a ute, van or work car. Tell us what you're buying and how your business runs, 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
- Sole-trader plumbers: running on an ABN, whether you've been out on your own for years or just made the jump from employee
- Plumbing businesses with apprentices or crews: adding a second or third vehicle as the work grows
- Gasfitters and drainers: who need room for a jetter, camera gear, pipe and fittings
- Maintenance and service plumbers: clocking up big kilometres between call-outs
- Low doc applicants: who keep up with BAS but don't have up-to-date tax returns or financials
- Plumbers buying used or private: a well-kept second-hand ute or van can make more sense than new
What plumbers usually finance
Most plumbing vehicles fall into two camps. A ute (single or dual cab, often with a canopy, toolboxes or a pipe rack) suits new-construction and rough-in work where you carry long lengths of pipe. A van suits maintenance and service work, where shelving keeps fittings organised and everything stays dry and locked. Many plumbers also finance the fit-out, a trailer for a jetter, or a second vehicle for an apprentice or leading hand.
Lenders generally care about the vehicle's age, condition and value. New and near-new vehicles from a dealer are straightforward. Used vehicles and private sales are commonly financed too, though some lenders cap the vehicle's age at the end of the loan.
How the finance is usually structured
- Chattel mortgage: the most common choice for an ABN holder. Your business owns the vehicle from day one and the lender takes security over it. If you're GST-registered you may be able to claim the GST credit on the purchase price upfront (capped at $6,353 for a car in 2026–27), and you can generally claim interest and depreciation for the business-use share.
- Finance lease: the lender owns the vehicle and you pay to use it, with lease payments generally deductible.
- Low doc: instead of tax returns, the lender relies on things like your BAS, business bank statements or an accountant's letter. Often available to plumbers with a couple of years of ABN history.
A note on tax: the car limit for depreciation is $69,883 in 2026–27, and utes designed to carry a tonne or more are generally not treated as "cars" for that limit. Your accountant can confirm how this applies to your vehicle and business-use percentage.
How it works
- Tell us about the vehicle and your business 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
- Driver licence and photo ID
- Your ABN, with how long it's been registered and whether you're registered for GST
- Recent BAS or business bank statements (tax returns and financials if you're going full doc)
- A dealer quote or invoice, or the private seller's details and the vehicle's rego and VIN
- Details of any existing finance, such as other vehicle or equipment loans
Every lender has its own criteria, so your broker will tell you exactly what's needed for your situation.
Plumber and tradie finance guides
- Financing a ute: what tradies should know
- What is a chattel mortgage and how does it work?
- How GST affects car finance for businesses
- How BAS statements affect your loan application
- Splitting business and personal use on an ABN vehicle
- Low doc loans for cars, utes and vans
Common questions
I've only just gone out on my own. Can I still get a ute?
Possibly. Some lenders look for at least one to two years of ABN registration, while others consider newer ABNs, especially if you've been a plumber for longer as an employee. A broker can tell you which lenders are open to newer businesses.
Can I finance the canopy, toolboxes or van shelving too?
Often, yes, if the fit-out is on the dealer or fitter's invoice when you buy. Adding it later usually means a separate arrangement, so it's worth sorting out before you buy.
Do I need to be registered for GST?
Not necessarily. Some lenders prefer GST registration as a sign of turnover, but finance is available to ABN holders who aren't registered. You only claim GST credits if you're registered.
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.