- Company
- Selfco Leasing Pty Ltd
- Type
- Specialist asset finance lender
- Products
- Chattel mortgage, Hire purchase, Finance lease, Commercial vehicle and equipment finance
Selfco is an Australian specialist asset and equipment finance lender focused on small and medium business borrowers. The business writes chattel mortgages, hire purchase and finance lease structures across vehicles, machinery and equipment. Selfco is broker-distributed; direct retail access is limited.
What Selfco actually does
Selfco writes commercial asset and equipment finance for Australian SMEs through accredited commercial finance brokers. The product range covers the four standard asset finance structures: chattel mortgage, hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease.
The lender competes in the same SME asset finance segment as Angle Finance, Pepper Asset Finance, Macquarie Asset Finance and the broader specialist set. For SME borrowers financing commercial vehicles, machinery or equipment, Selfco is one of the options a specialist asset finance broker will compare alongside the Big 4 commercial banks.
When Selfco is the right pick
Selfco is a reasonable choice for SME borrowers who: are financing commercial vehicle or equipment purchases, have established trading history, work with a specialist asset finance broker, and value the broker-led panel comparison approach rather than going direct to a single lender.
It is not the right pick for consumer car finance, for very new businesses (under 12 months), or for borrowers who specifically want the relationship-led commercial banking experience that comes with a Big 4 business banking team.
The asset finance structure choice
The four asset finance structures (chattel mortgage, hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease) have meaningfully different tax treatments and cash flow profiles. A specialist broker walks through the options at the quote stage, taking into account the borrower's GST registration status, depreciation strategy and ability to claim interest deductions.
For most SME borrowers, the chattel mortgage is the standard structure: the borrower owns the asset, claims GST upfront on purchase, depreciates the asset and deducts interest. The other structures shift the GST timing and depreciation eligibility in ways that suit specific tax positions.
The 2026 instant asset write-off context
The 2026 federal Budget made the $20,000 instant asset write-off permanent for small businesses with annual turnover under $10 million. For an SME buying eligible assets under the threshold, the full purchase value is deductible in the year of installation, which can change the chattel-mortgage versus finance-lease decision. A broker and accountant working together optimise the structure.
The honest pros and cons
- Specialist focus on SME asset and equipment finance
- Full product range across the four standard asset finance structures
- Established broker-channel relationships
- Generally competitive against Big 4 commercial vehicle finance
- Not a consumer car loan provider
- No retail brand presence; access is via specialist broker
- Newly-established businesses (under 12 months) generally do not fit
- Customer experience after acceptance depends on the back-end servicing operation
Frequently asked questions
Does Selfco do consumer car loans?
No. Selfco focuses on commercial asset finance for SME borrowers (ABN-holding businesses). For consumer car loans on a personal basis, look at Big 4 secured car loans, Macquarie, ME Bank Autopay or a specialist consumer car finance brokerage like Stratton Finance.
What is the Selfco interest rate?
Selfco does not publish a single headline rate because commercial asset finance rates depend on the borrower's credit profile, the asset type, term, and security position. A broker on the Selfco panel can quote the specific rate that would apply to your file.
How does Selfco compare to Angle Finance?
Selfco and Angle Finance are two specialist asset finance lenders writing similar product types into the Australian SME market. The rate gap between them varies by file profile and week-to-week pricing. A commercial finance broker comparing both as part of a wider panel comparison is the typical access pattern.
Can I apply to Selfco directly?
Selfco primarily distributes through accredited commercial finance brokers. Direct retail application is limited. For SME borrowers, the typical path is to engage a specialist asset finance broker who can quote Selfco alongside other panel options.
What is the difference between chattel mortgage and finance lease at Selfco?
Under chattel mortgage, the borrower owns the asset and Selfco holds a registered security interest. Under finance lease, Selfco owns the asset and the borrower has the right to use it for the lease term, with structured residual or buy-out at end of term. The structures have different GST and depreciation treatment; the right choice depends on the borrower's tax position.