What it costs to open a recovery studio in Australia
Recovery studios are opening across Australia faster than anyone is publishing honest numbers for them. Here is the equipment list priced from Australian suppliers, what a full build costs, and what the repayments look like.
The modality price list
Indicative Australian commercial pricing, August 2026. Weekly figures assume a 5 year chattel mortgage at 10.5% p.a., no balloon.
| Modality | Commercial price | Financed, per week |
|---|---|---|
| Ice bath with chiller (1 to 2 person) | $8,750 to $16,000 | $45 to $80 |
| Multi-person plunge (up to 12 person) | $19,000 to $43,000 | $95 to $215 |
| Infrared sauna (2 to 4 person, commercial warranty) | $4,100 to $16,000 | $20 to $80 |
| Red light therapy bed | $9,000 to $45,000 | $45 to $225 |
| Float tank or pod (new) | $24,000 to $41,000 | $120 to $205 |
| Hyperbaric chamber (soft-shell commercial) | $16,000 to $25,000 | $80 to $125 |
| Compression therapy (per station) | $1,500 | bundled |
| Cryotherapy chamber (the big swing) | $40,000 to $170,000 | $200 to $845 |
What a whole studio costs
A dedicated recovery studio typically lands between $150,000 and $300,000 all-in: an equipment package in the $130,000 to $200,000 range plus building fitout, plumbing and electrical of $20,000 to $80,000 depending on the site. Franchise entries in this space are marketed around the $200,000 mark, which corroborates the independent build maths. The two costs everyone underestimates: ventilation and drainage. Ice baths and saunas move a lot of water and humidity, and retrofitting either is far dearer than planning for them.
The whole package financed, a $180,000 build runs about $895 a week over five years. Against the market's session pricing, $40 to $80 for cold plunge sessions and memberships running $19 to $69 a week, the repayment maths is a membership count, not a mystery: at $49 a week, roughly 18 members carry the entire build.
Sequencing the build
Most studios open with the proven trio, ice baths, sauna and compression, then add red light, float or hyperbaric as memberships build. A cryotherapy chamber can double the equipment budget on its own; electric chambers cost the most up front while nitrogen units are cheaper to buy but carry ongoing gas costs. The finance structure can follow the same sequence: one facility for the opening package, extensions as you add modalities, each machine securing its own borrowing.
Financing it
Recovery equipment is financed as standard business equipment: chattel mortgage, two to seven year terms, the fitout wrapped into the same facility so the build carries one repayment. Property-backed borrowers generally price around 6% to 9% p.a., non-property-backed 9% to 13%, and new businesses are workable with presales, a deposit or property behind the plan. See the hyperbaric chamber cost guide for that modality in detail, or run your package through the repayment calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to open a recovery studio in Australia?
Typically $150,000 to $300,000 all-in: $130,000 to $200,000 of equipment plus $20,000 to $80,000 of fitout, plumbing and electrical. A cryotherapy chamber can add $40,000 to $170,000 on its own.
What equipment does a recovery studio need to open?
Most open with commercial ice baths, an infrared sauna and compression stations, then add red light, float tanks or hyperbaric as membership grows.
Can the whole studio fitout be financed?
Yes. Equipment and fitout are usually wrapped into one facility with one repayment, and extensions can fund each new modality as you add it.
What do recovery studios charge?
Australian studios charge roughly $40 to $80 per cold plunge session, and recovery memberships run $19 to $69 a week depending on the market and inclusions.
Price the build, then the membership maths
Tell us the modality list and we will come back with one weekly number for the whole 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.