earthmoving · Equipment & asset finance
Scissor lift finance
A scissor lift pays for itself the moment you stop hiring one every week. We compare owning against renting so the decision is based on your actual usage.
What is scissor lift finance?
Scissor lift finance is funding for an elevating work platform that raises workers vertically, secured against the machine. Scissor lifts are bought by electricians, shopfitters, painters and hire companies across Australia, and their modest price points mean applications are usually straightforward.
Scissor lifts have replaced scaffolding and ladders for a huge amount of Australian fit-out, maintenance and electrical work, largely because they are safer and faster. The everyday machine is an electric slab scissor around 19 feet that fits through a standard door and works on finished floors. Rough-terrain diesel units with outriggers cover outdoor construction work where the ground is not level.
The finance decision is usually a comparison against hire. If you are hiring a slab scissor for most weeks of the year, ownership typically costs less over a five-year term and you have the machine when you need it. If usage is patchy, hire is cheaper and there is no compliance obligation. Where you do buy, remember that annual inspections and log books are ongoing costs the finance does not cover.
Scissor lift finance at a glance
| Typical price range | $12,000 – $120,000 |
|---|---|
| Finance term | Up to 60 months |
| Useful life | About 12 years |
| New or used | Ex-hire electric slab scissors are the most commonly financed used machines; new purchases are common for rough-terrain diesel units. |
| Indicative rates (Chattel mortgage) | 6.9% – 14.5% p.a. · rate history |
| Finance structures | Chattel mortgage (recommended), Equipment loan, Operating lease |
How lenders assess scissor lift finance
Scissor lifts sit at a price point where most lenders will fund on light documentation for an established ABN. Electric slab scissors are valued on battery condition and hours; rough-terrain diesel units on engine hours and tyres. Some machines fall below a lender’s minimum funding amount, so buying two or bundling with other equipment on one contract can help. Hire companies buying multiple units are often assessed on a facility limit rather than deal by deal. Ex-hire machines with annual inspection records are readily accepted.
Before you buy
- Confirm the machine has a current annual inspection and, where required, a ten-yearly major inspection certificate.
- Match the platform height and machine width to your job sites — a 19-foot slab scissor that fits a standard doorway is far more useful than a taller machine that does not.
- On electric units, test the batteries through a full lift cycle at height and ask for the date code.
Commonly financed
Genie GS-1932 and GS-2632 · JLG 1930ES and 2632ES · Snorkel S3219E · Haulotte Compact 12 · Skyjack SJIII 3219
Estimate scissor lift repayments
- Number of repayments
- 60
- Balloon at end of term
- $13,200
- Total interest (est.)
- $18,683
- Total repaid (est.)
- $84,683
This calculator provides an estimate only and does not account for fees, charges or the specific terms a lender may offer. It is not financial advice or an offer of finance.
Key terms
What is scissor lift finance?
Scissor lift finance is a secured loan or lease used to buy an elevating work platform, with the machine as security. Terms usually run 36 to 60 months and funds are paid to the dealer or seller on settlement.
Do I need inspections on a financed scissor lift?
Yes. Elevating work platforms require routine and annual inspections under Australian standards regardless of how they are funded, and many machines need a major inspection at ten years. Lenders and insurers may ask to see current records.