Commercial finance · Last reviewed 2026-07-27

Commercial property loans

A commercial property loan is finance for buying, refinancing or developing property used for business, from a shopfront or office to a warehouse or medical suite. It is priced deal by deal, not off a rate board, so the lender and the structure matter as much as the rate. Ratesniffers helps you compare the options and get matched to the right lender, for free.

65-80%typical lend against value

Deal by dealpricing, not a rate board

$0to compare, no paid placement

What commercial finance covers

Commercial finance is a family of loans rather than one product. The main types are:

Owner-occupied premises— buy the property your business trades from instead of paying rent, and pay off an asset you own.
Commercial investment property— retail, office, industrial and mixed-use property bought for rental income and long-term growth.
Refinance and equity release— move an existing commercial loan to a sharper rate, or release equity to fund the next purchase or project.
Commercial construction and development— progress-drawn funding for commercial and mixed-use builds, from a single unit to multi-stage projects.
SMSF commercial property— buy commercial property, often your own premises, inside a self managed super fund and lease it back to the business.

How commercial loans differ from home loans

A home loan is a fairly standard product priced off an advertised rate. A commercial loan is assessed on the deal in front of the lender, so a few things work differently:

Bigger deposit. Lenders usually cap the loan at around 65 to 80 percent of the property value, so you generally need 20 to 35 percent, depending on the property and lease.
Scenario-based pricing. There is no public rate board. The rate reflects the property type, the lease, the loan-to-value ratio, the loan size and the borrower's financials.
Lease and income matter. For investments, a strong tenant on a long lease improves both the rate and how much a lender will advance.
Document flexibility. Full doc, lease doc and low doc structures exist for borrowers whose financials do not fit a standard bank template.

Buying commercial property in an SMSF

A self managed super fund can buy commercial property, including the premises your own business uses, and lease it back to the business at market rent. The loan is a limited recourse borrowing arrangement, and the rules are strict, so it should be set up with your accountant and a lender experienced in SMSF commercial lending. This is general information only, not financial or tax advice; the right structure depends on your circumstances.

How Ratesniffers helps

Ratesniffers is best known as a free, independent home loan rate desk, and home loans remain our focus. Because commercial lending is priced deal by deal, there is no live table to sort here; instead, tell us about the property and your business and we compare lenders and structure the finance around the deal. It is free to ask, there is no paid placement, and you only speak to a broker if you choose to. If your plans also involve a home, start with the refinance and borrowing power tools.

Thinking about a commercial property?

Get a free, no-obligation commercial finance assessment. Owner-occupier, investment, development or SMSF.

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Commercial property loans, FAQs

What is a commercial property loan?

A commercial property loan is finance used to buy, refinance or develop property used for business purposes, such as offices, retail shops, warehouses, factories and medical suites. It is assessed differently from a home loan: the lender weighs the property type, the lease and its rental income, and the borrower's business, and usually asks for a larger deposit.

How much deposit do I need for a commercial property loan in Australia?

Commercial loans are usually capped around 65 to 80 percent of the property value, so a deposit of roughly 20 to 35 percent is common. Standard properties in strong locations on solid leases attract the higher lending ratios, while specialised or vacant properties sit lower. The exact figure depends on the property, the lease and the strength of the business.

Are commercial loan rates advertised like home loan rates?

No. Commercial lending is priced deal by deal, not off a public rate board. The rate depends on the property type, the lease, the loan-to-value ratio, the loan size and the borrower's financials, so two similar borrowers can be quoted different rates. That is why comparing lenders on your specific scenario matters more than a headline number.

Can I buy commercial property, or my own business premises, through my SMSF?

Yes. A self managed super fund can buy commercial property, including the premises your business trades from, and lease it back to the business at market rent, using a limited recourse borrowing arrangement. The rules are strict, so set it up with your accountant. This is general information, not financial or tax advice.

Can I refinance an existing commercial loan?

Yes. Commercial loans can be refinanced to a sharper rate, to release equity for the next purchase or project, or to restructure the term and repayments. Because pricing is scenario-based, the saving comes from matching your deal to the right lender rather than chasing an advertised rate.

What can commercial finance be used for?

Buying an owner-occupied premises, buying a commercial investment property, refinancing or releasing equity, funding a commercial or mixed-use development, and buying commercial property inside an SMSF. It sits alongside business loans for working capital and asset finance for plant and equipment.

Credit assistance is provided by Xcel Pty Ltd, Credit Representative #568072. Commercial and business lending for business purposes is generally not regulated under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act. This information is general only and does not take your objectives, financial situation or needs into account.