What a laundromat costs to set up in Australia
Laundromats are the quiet favourite of passive-income business searches, and Australian suppliers publish enough pricing to build an honest budget. Here it is.
The machines
| Equipment | Price | Financed, per week |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial front-load washer | $2,000 to $10,000 | $10 to $50 |
| Large-capacity washer (20 to 27kg) | $6,000 to $15,000 | $30 to $75 |
| Stack washer/dryer unit (the standard format) | $5,000 to $15,000, ~$10,000 typical | ~$50 |
A small store runs 10 to 20 machines; the compact format works from about 60 square metres. Call the equipment floor $30,000 to $150,000 depending on count and capacity. Brands like Speed Queen, LG Commercial and Maytag are quote-only in Australia, so get itemised quotes and compare per-stack.
The all-in build
Three Australian sources converge on $90,000 to $400,000 to set up from scratch, with full new builds in leased premises reaching $500,000. The swing is the site: a premises that has never carried laundry needs water, waste, gas and electrical upgrades that can run tens of thousands before a machine arrives. A site with laundry infrastructure already in place is the single biggest cost saving available. Budget seriously for dryer ducting, make-up air and a lint management plan; they are compliance items, not options.
As a repayment picture: a $150,000 build financed over five years runs about $745 a week, and a $300,000 build about $1490. Laundromats are largely unattended, so that number against local wash pricing and machine turns is the whole business case.
Financing it
Machines and fitout finance as one package: equipment on chattel mortgage, fitout wrapped into the facility. Property-backed borrowers generally price around 6% to 9% p.a. and non-property-backed deals around 9% to 13%, with approvals commonly back in 24 to 48 hours. Run your machine list through the repayment calculator, or start at commercial laundry finance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to open a laundromat in Australia?
Published Australian estimates converge on $90,000 to $400,000 from scratch, with full new builds reaching $500,000. Equipment is $30,000 to $150,000 of that; the rest is fitout, plumbing, gas and electrical.
How many machines does a laundromat need?
Small stores run 10 to 20 machines, typically as stack washer/dryer units around $10,000 each. Compact formats work from about 60 square metres.
What is the biggest cost trap in a laundromat fitout?
The site services. A premises without existing water, waste, gas and power capacity can absorb tens of thousands in upgrades, plus dryer ducting and make-up air compliance, before any machine is installed.
Can laundromat equipment be financed?
Yes. Machines write as standard business equipment and the fitout wraps into the same facility, one repayment for the whole store.
One number for the whole store
Tell us the machine list and site and we will come back with one weekly repayment for the build, usually within a day.
This article is general information only and not financial, credit, or tax advice. Ventas Asset Lending is a finance broker, not a lender. Approvals are subject to lender assessment. Consider your own circumstances and speak to a qualified professional, including your accountant for any tax questions.