What a GP clinic costs to set up
Medical fitouts price between office and dental: more services than an office, less machinery than a surgery. Here are the published Australian numbers for getting a general practice open.
The build
| Scope | Cost |
|---|---|
| Refresh of existing medical space | $50,000 to $100,000 |
| Fitout rate, mid-range | $1,500 to $2,500 per sqm |
| Fitout rate, premium | $2,600 to $3,500 per sqm |
| 150 sqm GP practice, construction | ~$300,000 |
| Full setup total (published band) | $150,000 to $500,000 |
Equipment runs 20 to 40% of the budget: allow $8,000 to $15,000 per consulting room, $10,000 to $28,000 for a treatment room, with the line items being couches ($1,200 to $4,500), ECG ($2,000 to $5,000), spirometry, compliant vaccine fridges ($1,600 to $6,000) and a Class B autoclave ($9,500 to $16,000). Add IT at $15,000 to $40,000, practice software, accreditation, and the operating reserve every new clinic underestimates: $50,000 to $100,000.
The room maths
A four-room clinic at $350,000 all-in runs about $1735 a week financed over five years, longer terms available where property backs it. Against consulting-room billings, the build cost is carried by utilisation in a way rent alone never shows; the fitout is buying capacity.
Financing a clinic
Medical professionals carry premium lender appetite: fitout and equipment write into one facility, imaging and larger diagnostics as their own assets, and property-backed structures at roughly 6% to 9% p.a. as a working rule where the practitioner owns premises or home equity. 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. Start at medical finance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a GP clinic fitout cost per square metre?
Mid-range medical fitouts run $1,500 to $2,500 per square metre and premium $2,600 to $3,500, excluding equipment, which adds 20 to 40% of the budget.
What does it cost to open a medical practice in Australia?
Published totals run $150,000 to $500,000: a refresh of existing medical space from $50,000, a 150 square metre new build around $300,000 construction plus $100,000 to $150,000 of equipment.
What equipment does each consulting room need?
Allow $8,000 to $15,000 per consulting room and $10,000 to $28,000 for a treatment room: couches, ECG, spirometry, vaccine fridges and sterilisation.
How are medical fitouts financed?
One facility for fitout plus equipment, larger diagnostics as separate assets, and property-backed structures where the practitioner holds premises or home equity.
Get your number from the lender panel
The figures above are indicative. Tell us what you are buying and we will come back with the real rate and repayment, usually within a day. No upfront fees and no credit check to get a quote.
Rooms to a weekly number
Tell us the room count and site and we will come back with the structure, 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.