What a vet clinic costs to set up in Australia
Veterinary fitouts are priced like medical fitouts because they are medical fitouts: plumbing in every treatment room, radiation shielding, surgical ventilation. Here are the published Australian numbers, room by machine.
The build, by clinic size
| Clinic | Setup cost | Financed, per week |
|---|---|---|
| Small clinic (under 120 sqm) | $100,000 to $250,000 | $495 to $1240 |
| Medium clinic (150 to 200 sqm) | $200,000 to $400,000 | $990 to $1985 |
| Large / full-service hospital | $350,000 to $500,000 plus | from $1735 |
Per square metre, fitouts run $1,500 to $2,800 for a warm shell, up to $3,200 cold shell, and $5,000 to $6,000 for a ground-up build. The working budget split: 40 to 60% clinical fitout, 20 to 30% equipment, and 10 to 20% compliance, IT and furnishings.
The equipment list, priced
| Machine | Price |
|---|---|
| Digital x-ray / DR system | $25,000 to $80,000 installed |
| Ultrasound (handheld to high-end cart) | $3,000 to $50,000 |
| Anaesthesia machine | $5,000 to $15,000 |
| Dental unit (iM3 class, quote-only in Australia) | typically $5,000 to $15,000 |
| Autoclave (18 to 23L) | $3,500 to $6,000 |
| Surgical table | $3,000 to $10,000 |
Two buying notes: much of the premium vet equipment market in Australia is quote-only, so itemised quotes are the real price discovery, and the used and ex-demo market for imaging is deep enough to halve the x-ray line if you shop it.
Financing the practice
Vets are among the most bankable borrowers in the country, and the whole build, fitout plus equipment, writes as one 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. Equipment can be staged: open with imaging and surgery essentials, add dental and advanced imaging as caseload builds. Run your list through the repayment calculator, or start at veterinary finance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a vet clinic in Australia?
Published estimates: $100,000 to $250,000 for a small clinic under 120 square metres, $200,000 to $400,000 for a medium clinic, and $350,000 to $500,000 plus for a full-service hospital.
How much is a veterinary x-ray machine?
Digital DR systems run $25,000 to $80,000 installed in Australia, driven by detector size and software. The ex-demo and used market can substantially reduce that line.
What is the budget split for a vet fitout?
Roughly 40 to 60% clinical fitout, 20 to 30% equipment, and 10 to 20% compliance, IT and furnishings.
Can vet equipment be financed separately from the fitout?
It can, but one facility for the whole build usually prices and manages better, and equipment additions can be staged as extensions later.
From floor plan to weekly number
Tell us the clinic size and equipment list and we will come back with one weekly number 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.