Greenside Finance team · Published 3 November 2026
Yes, you can finance a ute on a new ABN: some lenders accept an ABN under 12 months, and a few from just a few months old, especially if you've done the same work before as an employee. Expect fewer lenders and a request for a deposit or property backing until your ABN reaches 12 to 24 months, and expect most low doc options to open up at around 2 years (a few lenders start at 12 months of ABN and 6 months of GST, with lower loan limits).
Greenside Finance is a Perth-based finance broker comparing 40+ lenders for ute finance, and we lend Australia-wide. Below is what lenders usually ask for at each ABN age, and what you can do now to widen your options.
| ABN age | What lenders usually ask for | Usual documentation option |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 6 months | A small group of start-up lenders. Evidence you've worked in the same trade, a deposit (often around 20%) or property, and a good credit history. Loan limits are lower. | Start-up product, usually assessed on your business bank statements and work history (lite doc) |
| 6 to 12 months | More start-up lenders. Bank statements or BAS showing the business is trading, plus a deposit or property. | Start-up product or lite doc |
| 12 to 24 months | Noticeably more lenders. A deposit or property still matters, and GST registration helps. | Mostly lite doc (BAS or business bank statements) |
| 24 months or more, GST 12 months or more | The widest choice, usually with property or a deposit. | Low doc (ID and your declaration of income), lite doc or full doc |
These bands are a guide; each lender sets its own rules. Owning property (a spouse's name counts at some lenders) is the biggest lever at every stage. Without property, most lenders want 10 to 20% as cash or a trade-in.
Usually not straight away. With low doc, the lender relies on your ID, the application and your own declaration of income, sometimes with an assets and liabilities statement, so lenders keep it for established businesses: usually about 2 years of ABN and 1 year of GST registration, with property or a deposit, although a few lenders start at 12 months of ABN and 6 months of GST with lower loan limits. Once you're there, you don't need full business financials or tax returns.
Before that point you'll generally be on a start-up product or lite doc (also called easy doc or mid doc), where the lender reads your BAS or business bank statements instead of tax returns. That's normal for a new business and doesn't stop you getting the ute. More on the options: low doc and lite doc loans.
Not always. The ATO says you must register for GST once your business turnover reaches $75,000 a year, and many new tradies register from day one. Some lenders want 12 months of GST registration for their top tiers, and not being registered can cap the loan size at some lenders.
GST also affects the tax side. If you're GST-registered and buy the ute on a chattel mortgage, you may be able to claim the GST on the purchase price; if you're not registered, you can't. Interest and depreciation on the business-use share may be deductible either way. This is general information only, not tax advice: talk to your accountant, ideally before you buy.
Only if waiting costs you nothing. If your current vehicle will do the job for a few more months, reaching 12 months, and later 2 years, opens more lenders and eventually low doc. If you need the ute to work now, a start-up loan with a deposit can be the better trade-off, because the ute is earning from day one.
If you plan to refinance once your ABN is older, tell us up front. The cost of paying out a business loan early varies widely between lenders, so it changes which lender suits you. We'll explain any fees before you go ahead.
Some start-up lenders are dealer-only, so a private sale narrows the field, but it's often still possible. We run a PPSR check at no cost to you, arrange payout of any finance owing, and the lender pays the seller directly. See private sale car loans. If you need a car, SUV or van rather than a ute, the same ABN bands apply: see business car loans.
If you're still employed and the ute will be used mainly for personal use, it's a consumer car loan assessed on your income and expenses rather than your ABN, and we arrange those too.
Illustrative scenario based on common enquiries, not a specific client. Start-up (lite doc) application.
An electrician who had worked for a Perth contractor for 9 years set up as a sole trader. His ABN was 5 months old, he wasn't yet registered for GST, and he rented. He wanted a used dual-cab with a canopy from a dealer for around $55,000. A start-up lender assessed him on his business bank statements and his trade history, and asked for a deposit; trading in his car covered most of it. Because he wasn't GST-registered, there was no GST credit to claim on the ute, which his accountant confirmed before he signed. The canopy was itemised on the dealer's invoice so it went on the same loan.
Sometimes. A small group of start-up lenders accept an ABN of a few months, usually with a deposit or property, a good credit history and evidence you've worked in the same trade. Loan limits are lower and the choice is narrower.
Usually not straight away. Most low doc options open at about 2 years of ABN and 1 year of GST registration, and a few lenders offer low doc from 12 months of ABN and 6 months of GST, usually with lower loan limits. Before that, lenders usually use a start-up product or lite doc, which reads your BAS or business bank statements.
Not always. Some lenders lend to businesses that aren't registered, though it can cap the loan size and you can't claim the GST credit. Registration is required once turnover reaches $75,000 a year. Check the tax side with your accountant.
Usually, unless you own property. Without property, start-up lenders commonly ask for a deposit, often around 20%, as cash or a trade-in. Property owners may need less or none.
Often, yes. Many lenders recognise an older sole-trader ABN when the same business moves into a company. Tell us the history up front so we can pick a lender that counts it.
Yes, with some lenders. A few start-up lenders are dealer-only, so a private sale narrows the field. We run a PPSR check at no cost to you and arrange payout of any finance owing before the lender pays the seller.
Get a free quote: tell us the vehicle and your ABN details and a Perth broker will compare 40+ lenders for you. No credit check to request a quote.
Greenside Finance Pty Ltd (ABN 76 678 053 122) is an Authorised Credit Representative (#561052) of Fintelligence Pty Ltd, Australian Credit Licence #511803. Information is general and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. All finance is subject to lender approval, terms, conditions and fees.
