Equipment covered
Dental chairs and surgeries, OPG/CBCT and other imaging, ultrasound, lasers and IPL, pathology analysers, sterilisation and autoclaves, optometry and audiology instruments, veterinary surgical and imaging suites, and practice fit-outs (which can often be bundled with the equipment).
Why practitioners get better terms
Default rates among registered practitioners — dentists, GPs, specialists, vets, optometrists — are among the lowest of any borrower class, so several lenders run dedicated medico programs: reduced or no financials for approvals into the hundreds of thousands, 100% finance including installation, and pricing below standard commercial equipment rates. If you hold AHPRA (or equivalent) registration, make sure your broker places you in one of these programs rather than a generic equipment product.
Structures that suit practices
- Chattel mortgage for ownership and depreciation — the default for most equipment
- Finance lease or rental for fast-obsolescence technology (imaging, lasers) where upgrading every 4–5 years is the plan — see chattel mortgage vs lease
- Fit-out + equipment packages when opening or expanding rooms — one facility, staged drawdowns
- Escrow / progressive payment for equipment with long lead times or installation milestones
New practice? Still very financeable
Unlike most industries, a practitioner buying into or opening a first practice is treated as strong even with a brand-new ABN — your registration, specialty and employment history carry the assessment. This is the one field where new-ABN rules barely bite.
Frequently asked questions
Can I finance 100% of the equipment cost including installation?
Frequently yes under medico programs — including delivery, installation and training components of the invoice.
I'm an associate dentist buying my first practice equipment — will I qualify?
Almost certainly. Medico lenders assess your registration and earnings history rather than requiring years of ABN trading.
Lease or buy for imaging equipment?
If you'll replace it inside 5 years, a lease or rental with upgrade paths can beat ownership. If you'll run it 7–10 years, a chattel mortgage is usually cheaper overall. Model both — the gap is often large.
Get a free truck & equipment finance quote
Takes 60 seconds. No credit check to enquire. A licensed broker compares lenders and calls you back — usually same business day.