Canberra, ACT
Commercial property loan in Canberra
Canberra commercial property is shaped by leasehold rather than freehold title, which is a genuine difference from every other market in this list and affects how lenders assess and value a purchase. Office suites in the town centres and small industrial units at Mitchell, Hume and Fyshwick are the common owner-occupier buys. Expect a 20–30% deposit, and get legal advice on the Crown lease terms and any remaining lease period before you exchange.
Business finance in Canberra
Canberra’s economy is anchored by the federal public service and the large professional services, consulting, IT and defence industry sector that supplies it. Construction is the other major employer, driven by continuous residential development in Gungahlin and Molonglo and by government office and infrastructure projects. Business here is unusually stable but heavily dependent on procurement cycles and the federal budget calendar.
How we work with Canberra businesses
Lyft Money works with Canberra businesses by phone and video, with documents handled online and settlements arranged Australia-wide. Anthony, Stefan and Kris operate from Level 14, 3 Parramatta Square in Sydney, so an ACT client works with the same broker from the first call through to settlement — including where the vehicle or equipment is being bought from a Sydney or Melbourne supplier.
What is a commercial property loan?
A commercial property loan is finance secured by a commercial, industrial or retail property, used to buy premises for your business, invest, or refinance an existing loan. Terms run to 25–30 years with lower rates than unsecured lending.
Commercial property loan in Canberra: the numbers
| Typical amounts | $250,000 – $20,000,000 |
|---|---|
| Term | 12–360 months |
| Indicative rates | 6.2% – 9.9% p.a. · rate history |
| Speed | 2–6 weeks |
| Key Canberra industries | Professional services · Construction · IT and technology · Medical practices · Cleaning businesses |
| Commonly financed here | IT hardware · Business car · Ute · Shop fit-out · Excavator |
Rates shown are indicative ranges observed across our lender panel for the period stated. They are not an offer or quote. Your rate depends on your business, the lender, the amount, the term and the security offered. The lender makes the final credit decision.
Key terms
What is a commercial property loan?
A commercial property loan is a mortgage over non-residential property such as offices, warehouses, retail or industrial units. It can be full-doc, low-doc or lease-doc depending on how servicing is assessed.
Commercial property loan questions
How much deposit do I need for a commercial property purchase?
Commercial lending is usually written to a lower loan-to-value ratio than residential, so expect to contribute more. Owner-occupied purchases commonly sit around 65% to 80% LVR depending on the property type and the strength of the business, meaning a deposit of roughly 20% to 35% plus costs. Specialised premises attract tighter LVRs than standard offices, warehouses or retail. Using equity in an existing property can reduce or replace the cash deposit.
How long does a commercial property settlement usually take?
Plan for six to twelve weeks from application to settlement in most cases. The steps that take time are the full financial assessment, a formal valuation of the property, legal documentation and any conditions the lender imposes before funding. Purchases with tight contract dates need the finance clause negotiated realistically at the outset. Refinances of an existing loan can be quicker where the property and the borrower are straightforward.