Businesses upgrading to greener equipment that can deliver efficiency benefits

Making EOFY funds work harder: greener equipment upgrades NAB customers are prioritising.

As 30 June approaches, many regional and agribusiness businesses are weighing up how to use EOFY surplus funds to reduce running costs, improve reliability and lift productivity. One common theme we’re seeing: investing in greener equipment that can deliver efficiency benefits now, while helping future-proof operations over time.

NAB equipment finance data shows green-asset finance grew 94% in the six months from 1 October 2025 to 30 March 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier. For many customers, the focus is less about labels and more about outcomes: lowering fuel and energy use, reducing maintenance, and keeping equipment working when it matters most.

NAB Head of Equipment Finance Sales Chris Fileman said the conversations customers are having right now are practical and cost-focused.

“What we’re hearing is that customers want upgrades that make an immediate difference – whether that’s a smaller fuel bill, lower energy costs, fewer breakdowns or more uptime in peak season. EOFY planning is often the trigger to run the numbers and decide what’s worth investing in now,” Mr Fileman said.

Some of the greener investments customers are prioritising include:

• Solar and on-site energy upgrades – customer investment up 11% year-on-year, supporting optimisation, efficiency and automation.
• Green headers – we’ve funded nearly as many in the past six months as the full year last year, as customers look to cut fuel use and improve efficiency in the paddock.
• Aircraft – demand up 13% year-on-year, including small fixed-wing aircraft (under 30 seats) and helicopters, with fire-fighting aircraft a key driver.
• Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles - investment up 42% year-on-year, led by plug-in hybrids.

EOFY checklist: if you’re considering an upgrade before 30 June, start early to confirm delivery and install timeframes, compare purchase vs finance options, and align decisions with your cash flow and tax planning. Your NAB banker and adviser can help you talk through options based on the outcomes you’re targeting.

For primary producers, EOFY planning may also include considering the Farm Management Deposit (FMD) Scheme as a way to build cash reserves and manage income volatility (talk to your accountant or adviser about what’s appropriate for your circumstances). FMDs are generally tax deductible in the year they’re made and become taxable in the year they’re withdrawn. Find out more here: R&A Outlook - End of Financial Year planning

According to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) figures, total holdings in the Australian FMD Scheme were around $5.93 billion as of 31 March 2026, slightly down from $5.98 billion in March 2025.