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Balloon Payment

Balloon Payment is a lump-sum amount due at the end of a vehicle or equipment finance loan. It reduces monthly repayments during the term by pushing a portion of the principal to the end of the contract.

Balloon Payments are common in Chattel Mortgages, Hire Purchase, and Business Vehicle Loans.

Why It Matters

A Balloon Payment lowers your ongoing monthly costs, helping businesses free up cashflow for operations, tools, and staff. It’s widely used by tradies, truckies, cafés, and medical professionals financing work vehicles or equipment through Vehicle Finance and Equipment Finance.

Balloon structures are also essential for Low Doc Asset Finance approvals, since they keep repayments within lender servicing limits.

How It Works

  • You choose a vehicle or equipment to finance.
  • The lender sets a balloon (often 20–40% of the asset value).
  • Your monthly repayments are reduced accordingly.
  • At the end, you can pay it out, refinance it, or sell the asset.

For fast approvals, see Fast-Track Asset Finance.

Common Use Cases

  • Lowering repayments on a ute, van, truck, or work vehicle
  • Reducing monthly costs during slow months
  • Planning to upgrade the asset before the balloon is due
  • Businesses wanting maximum cashflow flexibility

Related Switchboard Resources

For ATO rules on financing and depreciation, visit ato.gov.au.

What happens when the Balloon is due?
You can pay it out in full, refinance it, or sell/trade the asset to cover the amount.
Is a Balloon Payment tax-deductible?
The balloon itself is not deductible, but interest and depreciation usually are. See the ATO.
Is a Balloon Payment the same as a Residual Value?
They are similar, but Residuals apply to leases; Balloons apply to loans like Chattel Mortgages and Hire Purchase.