- Last Updated: 3 June 2026
Fitout Finance in Australia
Transform your commercial space with the right funding. Get finance to cover interior renovations, from structural to cosmetic design modifications.
- Finance full fitout costs, including materials and labour
- Preserve cash flow while building or upgrading your space
- Choose from different types of fitout financing
- Some approvals in as fast as 24-48 hours*
Get Fitout Finance with Dark Horse Financial
1
Contact Our Team
Fill out our online form to apply for fitout finance. We’ll get in touch with you fast to understand your situation and make a recommendation.
2
Submit Application
We’ll expertly handle your application from start to finish. Some types of fitout finance can be approved within 24 48 hours.
3
Get Funded
Once approved, documentation is signed electronically, making settlement fast. Once settled, the funds will be disbursed to your account, or a facility will be available for you to access.
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What is Fitout Finance?
Fitout finance is a loan or line of credit solution designed to help businesses cover the costs of refurbishing, redesigning, or fitting out their commercial spaces. This type of financing is tailored for expenses related to furniture, fixtures, equipment, and structural changes needed to create a functional and beautiful workspace.
Fitout finance is available across various industries, including construction, transport, manufacturing, and offices. With this type of financing, you can get started on renovations immediately without paying upfront and straining your cash flow.
Key Features of Fitout Finance
- Loans and lines of credit available for fitout costs
- Secured and unsecured options available
- Financing options to buy or lease equipment
- Unsecured options can be approved in 24-48 hours
- Low doc options available*
What Does Fitout Finance Cover?
Fitout finance enables businesses to transform their commercial spaces with a variety of upgrades, including:
- Refurbishing Walls and Flooring: Refresh your workspace with new paint, wallpapers, or modern flooring solutions.
- Upgrading Lighting: Install energy efficient lighting systems to improve visibility and ambience.
- Upgrading Electrical and Plumbing: Install upgraded electrical systems and plumbing fixtures for better utility.
- Installing Custom Furniture and Fixtures: Enhance functionality and aesthetics with furniture and fixtures.
- Investing in Advanced Equipment: Acquire specialised equipment to improve operations and service delivery.
- Creating Optimised Layouts: Reorganise space to maximise efficiency and improve workflow.
- Improving Branding Elements: Incorporate branded signage, decor, and colour schemes to align with your business identity.
- Placing Safety Systems: Installing safety and compliance features like alarms, anti theft and fire safety systems, and more.
The Benefit of Fitout Finance for Businesses
Preserves Cash Flow
Investing a significant amount of capital upfront can strain your business’s cash flow. Fitout finance allows you to preserve cash for other essential business operations, such as inventory, marketing, or staffing.
Boosts Productivity
Improves Customer Experience
For customer facing businesses, the appearance of your premises plays a big role in attracting and retaining clients. Fitout finance makes it easier to invest in aesthetics and functionality.
Who uses commercial fitout finance?
Fitout finance is used by a wide range of industries. Some use it to open a new location. Others use it to refresh an existing space because customer experience or compliance demands have shifted.
Common users include:
- Retail stores
- Medical and allied health clinics
- Restaurants, cafes, food venues
- Gyms and fitness studios
- Professional services like accountants, law firms, and architects
- Beauty salons, barbers, tattoo studios
- Warehouses and industrial spaces adding offices or customer areas
There’s demand for fitout finance across Australia as businesses compete for customer experience and need to use space better.
Types of Fitout Finance
There are several ways to finance your fitout, each with its own set of advantages. Here are some of the most common options:
1. Fitout Facility
You can get a dedicated revolving facility that allows you to pay equipment and fitout purchases in instalments over 5 years. The limit is decided based on the strength of the business and not the asset.
With this solution, you can purchase any business equipment without having to apply each time.
Advantages:
- Easy settlement: Borrowers only need to upload invoices to the lender’s website
- Flexible use: The facility can be used for multiple different purchases within the allotted limit
- No restrictions: There are no age or class requirements for any asset
If your fitout project involves purchasing specialised equipment, such as manufacturing equipment or IT systems for an office, equipment finance is the ideal solution. This type of finance allows you to spread the cost of equipment over time while using it immediately.
Here are some of the ways you can finance equipment for your fitout:
- Chattel Mortgage: The equipment serves as the security for the loan, with the borrower taking ownership of the equipment upon purchase
- Finance Lease: The lender owns the equipment and the borrower rents it for a certain period. After the term, the business can decide whether to extend the lease or purchase or return the equipment.
- Operating Lease: The lender owns the equipment and leases it to the business for a shorter term, without the option to purchase after the term is up.
- Hire Purchase: The business makes regular repayments to a lender with the intention of owning or purchasing the equipment at the end of the term. Usually comes with a balloon payment.
Advantages:
- Preserves working capital by avoiding large upfront costs.
- Often tax deductible, reducing your overall tax liability.
- Upgrades to newer equipment made easier
Unsecured term loans are one of the most straightforward and widely used forms of fitout finance. With this option, you borrow a lump sum of money from a lender and repay it over a fixed term, typically with interest. This type of financing does not require assets as security. Loan terms can be up to 5 years.
Advantages:
- Approval can be as fast as 24-48 hours
- Loans can be approved with a read only view of business bank account statements
- Best for businesses with no assets or prefer not to use assets as security
Term loans can be secured against assets. These can be properties, vehicles, equipment, or machinery. Secured options generally offer lower interest rates and potentially higher loan amounts. Though they may take longer to approve than unsecured loans, they can be a great choice for larger fitouts.
Advantages:
- Lower rates and higher loan amounts than unsecured options
- Suitable for large fitout projects with significant upfront costs.
- Funds can be used for a wide range of fitout expenses.
A business line of credit is a flexible financing option that allows you to access funds up to a predetermined limit. You only pay interest on the amount you draw, making it an excellent choice for businesses with ongoing or unpredictable fitout expenses. As you repay the borrowed amount, your available credit is renewed, allowing you to use the amount again. Many lines of credit are unsecured, making it an accessible option. This type of financing is best for businesses that need ongoing access to funds or have variable fitout costs.
Advantages:
- Flexibility to draw funds as needed.
- Ideal for managing cash flow during a fitout project.
- Can be used for other business expenses beyond the fitout.
Asset based finance allows you to borrow against the value of your existing assets, such as equipment or property. This type of financing is particularly useful for businesses with valuable assets but limited cash flow. The loan amount is based on the value of your assets.
Advantages:
- Access to larger loan amounts based on asset value.
- Can be used for a wide range of fitout expenses.
- Suitable for businesses with strong assets but limited cash.
If you own property with an existing mortgage, a second mortgage can provide the funds needed for your fitout project. This involves taking out a loan against the equity in your property, which is then used to finance the fitout. The loan amount is determined by the equity in your property. If you have enough equity, you can finance a major renovation or fitout project.
Advantages:
- Access equity in your existing property
- Large loan amounts available, depending on property equity.
- Long repayment terms reduce monthly repayments.
What Fitout Finance Option Should You Choose?
The best commercial fitout finance depends on what you actually need to get done. Fitouts vary widely, and different parts of your project can be matched with specific types of lending that support the way you spend money during the upgrade.
When your fitout includes equipment or machinery
If your fitout involves plant, machinery, vehicles, or other assets with a VIN or clear serial number, equipment finance is usually the first option to consider. Lenders design these products around identifiable business equipment, so items like CNC machines, forklifts, or pallet racking, often sit neatly in this category.
When most of your costs are trades, labour, design, or interior construction
If the bulk of your budget goes toward builders, electricians, plumbers, designers, flooring installers, or branding specialists, a dedicated fitout facility with a sub limit for fitouts can be the right match. A line of credit or a term loan could be alternatives as well.
When your project runs in stages or you want flexibility as costs change
Some fitouts evolve as work progresses, especially when structural issues or design variations appear. A fitout facility with a limit based on your business’ turnover works well here. You only draw what you need at each stage, which helps manage cash flow and avoids paying interest on the full amount from day one. You can also go for a business line of credit as an alternative.
When you want to borrow against business assets for a larger upgrade
If your business owns vehicles, machinery, inventory, or commercial property, asset based finance can unlock higher funding for extensive works. This option is practical when the scale of the refurbishment goes beyond what unsecured lending can support.
When you have property equity and need substantial funding for a major fitout
A second mortgage can provide significant borrowing power, making it useful for large hospitality venues, medical practices, gyms, or multi site refurbishments. The loan is secured by property equity, which lets lenders offer higher limits and more flexible approval pathways.
What Is the Average Cost of a Commercial Fitout in Australia?
Commercial fitout costs vary quite a bit across industries, cities and building types. Even so, there are loose ranges that give you a practical starting point before you begin collecting quotes. These ranges will not match every project, but they help you form a realistic ballpark.
Factories
Factory fitouts can range anywhere from $800 to $2500 per square metre. The cost depends on the size of the factory and the types of equipment needed.
Portable Site Buildings and Installations
The cost to fit out portable site buildings in Australia varies heavily based on the level of customisation. General fitout costs for commercial grade portables typically fall between $800 and $2500+ per square metre.
Warehouses and Industrial Spaces
These fitouts are usually lighter unless office areas or specialised zones are added. A broad estimate is $500 to $1500 per square metre.
Offices
How much does an office fitout cost per square meter? Most office upgrades fall somewhere between $500 to $3000 per square metre. Basic open plan layouts sit at the lower end, while meeting rooms, acoustic treatments and detailed joinery push costs up.
Retail Stores
Retail fitouts can move quickly depending on branding, lighting and display requirements. A loose guide runs from $1000 to $3500 per square metre.
Hospitality and Restaurants
Kitchens, exhaust systems and plumbing add a lot to hospitality budgets. A workable range is $2500 to $5000 per square metre, sometimes more if the space needs heavy mechanical work.
Fitness Centres and Gyms
Gyms often need rubber flooring, change rooms, showers, reinforced flooring for weights and reliable ventilation. Many projects fall between $1000 and $3500 per square metre, with higher numbers for complex layouts or premium equipment zones.
Beauty and Wellness Spaces
Beauty rooms, massage studios and cosmetic treatment spaces usually involve multiple plumbing points, partitions, lighting adjustments and higher finish levels. These spaces often sit between $1800 and $3500 per square metre, depending on the number of treatment rooms and the level of finishes.
Healthcare and Clinics
Healthcare spaces have stricter compliance needs, specialist plumbing, more partitions and higher service loads. Many clinics land between $1800 and $3500 per square metre.
How Do I Calculate Fitout Costs Before Applying For a Loan?
The process below helps you reach an organised and reliable figure.
Step 1: Measure the Space
Start by confirming the square metres. Then divide that area into zones. This allows you to allocate higher budgets to areas that require more labour or expensive materials.
Step 2: Create a Detailed Scope
List every item of work needed. Be specific. A vague scope leads to vague quotes.
Step 3: Do Research
Look at current price ranges across fitout categories. You can also look at forums and see real costs from others who made similar fitouts. These numbers help you set expectations and avoid underestimating major work.
Step 4: Request Quotes From Multiple Trades
Trade prices change based on demand, supply costs, and location. Compare at least two or three quotes for major categories.
Step 5: Include Professional Fees
Design, engineering, and compliance fees matter. They should be part of your total build cost.
Step 6: Add Contingency
Commercial fitouts often face delays or unexpected issues. A buffer helps protect your finance plan.
Step 7: Finalise a Clear Budget for Your Loan Application
Once you confirm your figures, create a budget summary you can use when applying for loans.
Tips for Maximising the Benefits of Fitout Finance
- Plan Thoroughly: Start with a detailed fitout plan that includes a clear scope of work and a realistic budget. This will help you prioritise your spending and avoid unnecessary costs during the project.
- Work with Fitout Experts: Engage professional designers, architects, and contractors to ensure your vision is executed efficiently. Their expertise can help you achieve a more functional and aesthetically pleasing outcome.
- Work with a Lending Expert: Work with experts like Dark Horse Financial to get access to the best lenders. We’ll compare multiple lenders to find one with a strong reputation, flexible terms, and competitive rates. Most importantly, we’ll match you with a lender that can meet your specific funding needs.
- Monitor Costs Closely: Keep a detailed record of all expenses throughout the fitout process. Regularly review your budget to ensure you stay within the agreed limits and address extra costs early.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the author
Jeff Suter
Jeff Suter is the Director of Dark Horse Financial, an Australian specialist finance brokerage helping business owners and individuals secure funding solutions when traditional lenders fall short. With extensive experience across commercial lending, home loans, and complex finance scenarios, Jeff is known for delivering tailored strategies that align with each client’s unique goals. He works closely with a broad panel of bank and non-bank lenders to structure competitive, flexible finance solutions, supporting clients through everything from growth funding to debt restructuring.