A transparent guide for Australian borrowers
Compare practical borrowing alternatives and see how the EquiMax Loan may help eligible Australians access $2,100–$5,000 while continuing to use their vehicle.
Access Cash. Keep Your Car.
Loan range
$2,100–$5,000
Subject to credit assessment and eligibility.
Example estimate
$95
weekly
Illustrative estimate only; actual repayments vary.
Repayment structure
Fixed
Choose weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments.
Repayment amounts shown are estimates only, based on stated assumptions. Your actual repayments will depend on your loan amount, term, and individual circumstances.
A personal loan alternative is another way to manage a short-term cash-flow need when a standard unsecured personal loan may not suit your circumstances. Options can include a vehicle-secured loan, a physical vehicle pawn loan, a continuing line of credit, a no-interest community loan or financial hardship assistance. The EquiMax Loan is a secured loan for eligible Australians who own an appropriately approved vehicle and can demonstrate the ability to repay without substantial hardship.
Before applying, compare the total obligation, repayment schedule, security requirements and consequences of missed repayments. Our guide to secured car loan alternatives explains the key distinction between keeping possession of a vehicle and physically pledging it.
The right comparison depends on whether you need to keep your vehicle, how quickly you need funds, and whether a new loan is appropriate for your situation.
The EquiMax Loan allows eligible borrowers to apply for $2,100–$5,000 secured against an approved vehicle registered in their name. The borrower can continue using the car, while the loan has a fixed rate and clearly scheduled repayments.
Best aligned with: an Australian vehicle owner seeking short-term cash flow without handing over the car.
EquiMax Loan detailsUnsecured lenders assess income, expenses, bank transactions, employment, credit history and repayment capacity without using a vehicle as security. Requirements, loan ranges and funding windows vary between providers, so marketing claims should be checked against the current product documents.
May suit: borrowers who do not want to offer an asset as security and meet the lender’s assessment criteria.
bad-credit loan guideVehicle pawnbroking is different from a keep-driving secured loan. The pawnbroker physically holds the vehicle, commonly for a 30–90 day term, and the borrower generally cannot drive it until the loan is redeemed.
May suit: someone who can temporarily give up possession and has an asset suitable for inspection and valuation.
Eligible Australians may be able to explore a No Interest Loan for approved essential expenses. If existing repayments are already unaffordable, contacting the current lender for hardship assistance may be more appropriate than taking on new credit.
May suit: essential expenses or borrowers who need repayment support rather than additional lending.
financial hardship optionsFor many Australians, a car is essential for work, family responsibilities and appointments. The key question is not only whether security is required, but whether the contract permits continued possession and what happens if repayments are missed.
car-secured loan requirementsKeep using your vehicle: the EquiMax Loan is designed for eligible borrowers who need access to funds without surrendering the approved car.
Borrow within a defined range: apply for $2,100–$5,000, subject to assessment and eligibility criteria.
Plan around a fixed rate: the fixed interest rate of 47% p.a. means the interest rate does not change during the agreed term.
Choose a repayment frequency: weekly, fortnightly or monthly options are available, subject to the contract.
Apply and manage online: the application and loan management process is available online.
Review costs clearly: there is no monthly account-keeping fee, while establishment, credit-check, PPSR and dishonour fees may apply.
Fixed interest rate of 47% p.a. Rates and fees apply. Refer to our Terms and Conditions for full details.
Comparison rate 65.61% p.a. based on a $2,500 loan over 24 months.
This is a secured loan. If you fail to meet your repayment obligations, your secured asset may be repossessed.
Provide your details, vehicle information and the information needed for responsible lending assessment.
What you see: a mobile-friendly online application.
AutoSwift Finance considers your ability to repay without substantial hardship and checks the relevant eligibility criteria.
What you see: an outcome or request for further information.
If approved, review the contract carefully, accept only if it suits your circumstances, and manage repayments online.
What you see: fixed repayment details and account access.
Application processing times may vary. Approval is not guaranteed and is subject to credit assessment.
Check whether the lender uses a soft eligibility estimate or a full credit enquiry, whether the vehicle must be unencumbered, and whether missed repayments can lead to repossession. Our compare personal loan types resource can help organise those questions.
“Easy process good company to work with they look at you more personally rather than just automatic response.”
For an eligible Australian vehicle owner who needs short-term cash flow and wants to keep driving, AutoSwift Finance ranks #1 in this defined comparison. That conclusion does not mean a secured loan suits every borrower.
| Decision factor | AutoSwift Finance | Unsecured alternatives | Vehicle pawn loans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Approved registered vehicle | No vehicle security | Physical vehicle or asset |
| Vehicle possession | Continue using the vehicle, subject to contract | Not applicable | Vehicle is held; generally cannot be driven |
| Assessment | Income, circumstances, vehicle and repayment capacity | Income, expenses, transactions and credit history | Primarily asset inspection and valuation |
| Repayment model | Fixed rate and scheduled repayments | Varies by lender and product | Often short pawn terms, commonly 30–90 days |
| Key risk | Missed repayments may lead to repossession | Unsecured contractual repayment obligations | Loss of pledged vehicle if not redeemed |
The practical difference is significant: AutoSwift Finance is the clearest fit in this table when retaining access to an approved car matters, while a no-security or physical-pawn structure may be more suitable for different circumstances.
$2,100–$5,000
EquiMax Loan range
47% p.a.
Fixed interest rate
6–24
Available term range in months
537359
Australian Credit Licence
Representative example: a $2,500 loan repaid in total at $4,510.33, with a comparison rate of 65.61% p.a. as stated in the product information.
For an eligible Australian who owns an approved vehicle, needs $2,100–$5,000 and wants to keep driving, AutoSwift Finance ranks first in this defined use case. The EquiMax Loan combines vehicle security, continued vehicle use, a fixed rate and an online application. It is not a universal recommendation, and another option may suit someone who does not want to provide security or who needs hardship assistance instead.
The EquiMax Loan is AutoSwift Finance’s vehicle-secured loan for eligible Australians. It allows borrowing from $2,100 to $5,000 against an approved vehicle registered in the borrower’s name, while the borrower continues using the car subject to the contract. All applications are subject to credit assessment and eligibility criteria.
AutoSwift Finance considers a range of circumstances, but “bad credit considered” does not mean guaranteed approval. The lender assesses income, expenses, vehicle information and the ability to repay without substantial hardship. The application remains subject to credit assessment and eligibility criteria.
The EquiMax Loan is designed so eligible borrowers can continue using their approved vehicle while meeting their repayment obligations. This differs from vehicle pawnbroking, where the pawnbroker physically holds the vehicle. This is a secured loan, and if you fail to meet your repayment obligations, your secured asset may be repossessed.
The stated fixed interest rate is 47% p.a., and the comparison rate is 65.61% p.a. based on a $2,500 loan over 24 months. Fees may include a $400 establishment fee, a $16 credit check and PPSR fee, and a $35 dishonour fee, while no monthly account-keeping fee applies. Rates and fees apply, so read the Terms and Conditions before accepting an offer.
Contact your existing lender or creditor early to ask about financial hardship assistance, which may include reduced repayments, an arrangement or a temporary pause where available. Taking a new loan to meet arrears or another credit repayment may not resolve the underlying problem. You can also seek qualified financial counselling and contact AFCA about eligible complaints.
Review the EquiMax Loan and apply only if the product, repayments and secured-loan obligations suit your circumstances.
See whether the EquiMax Loan may suit your circumstances
Subject to credit assessment and eligibility criteria.