Business loans for pharmacies

Ardent Capital Group brings the same method to every client: execution and strategy, clear advice for smart lending, and long-term growth. That means the right lender, structure and timing, straight advice so you borrow with confidence, and today's deal built toward where you want to be tomorrow. We are specialists in helping business owners secure finance to purchase their own property, and we understand the complex structures that often sit around it, including multiple trusts, holding companies and self-managed super funds. Through that work we also understand what the business needs from its cash flow, and where an overdraft or line of credit fits for working capital. For a pharmacy, where income splits across PBS reimbursement, front-of-shop takings and account customers, that means the desks among our 60-plus bank and non-bank lenders that understand how pharmacies trade and lend on the strength of the business rather than property alone. We stay on well past the first drawdown as the business builds. Every figure is subject to serviceability, lender appetite and approval.

It depends on how quickly you need it and what you are willing to offer as security. Unsecured facilities are assessed mainly on trading strength and can be arranged in days, which suits a limit of $100K to $500K. Secured facilities, backed by property or plant, support larger amounts and price better, and make sense once you are funding a major purchase or an acquisition. Most established operators end up with a mix, and we shape which sits where.

It depends on your trading, your structure and the purpose, but lending here commonly runs from $100K to well into seven figures, and our range extends to $100M for larger operators. Lenders that recognise the sector will lend against pharmacy goodwill and cash flow rather than bricks and mortar alone, and stock itself can support a facility. The binding constraint is usually serviceability rather than security, and we shape the funding early so you know your number before you commit.

Yes, and the equipment itself is normally the security rather than your home. Shopfront joinery and dispensary automation, refrigeration and POS systems can all be funded as one package. Terms are typically matched to the life of the asset, and established businesses can often be assessed on bank statements and BAS rather than full financials. Dealer and manufacturer finance programs are available too, and we compare them against a bank facility.

Yes. Acquisition is one of the most common reasons pharmacists come to us, whether you are buying your first pharmacy, buying out a partner or adding a second location. Lenders that recognise the sector will lend against goodwill, script volume and cash flow, not just bricks and mortar, often up to a high proportion of the purchase price for a strong pharmacy. We shape the funding early around the price, the goodwill and any equity available, subject to serviceability and approval.

No. Plenty of operators fund growth without touching the family home, either through unsecured facilities assessed on trading, or by securing against the equipment being purchased. Property security widens the range of lenders and structures open to you, so it is worth considering once you are borrowing well into seven figures. The choice is yours, and we will show you what each option costs before you commit.

An unsecured facility can often be approved within 48 hours and funded inside a week where the business is established and the BAS and bank statements are current. Secured facilities take longer, typically two to four weeks, because a valuation is involved. The practical advice is to open the limit before you need it, ideally when you are planning the spend rather than when the invoice is already due. Timeframes are indicative and subject to lender appetite and approval.

Yes. Many lenders assess established businesses on 6 to 12 months of bank statements and recent BAS rather than full year-end financials, which suits operators whose accounts lag the current run rate. It works best where the trading account shows regular receipts and the ATO position is current. If you have a payment plan in place, say so early, because several lenders will still proceed when it is disclosed and being met.

Yes, and it is a commercial property deal rather than a working capital one. Pharmacies buying their own premises frequently access owner-occupier terms a general retailer would not, which can mean a lower deposit than an investor would need. Owning the premises also protects you from a rent review on a site your licence and customer base are tied to. Our commercial property team handles these end to end through our pharmacy property finance service.

Yes, and this is exactly what a revolving line is for. A supplier deal worth taking usually has to be paid for well before the stock sells through, and funding it from your own cash leaves you short for the next order. A line of credit sized to your stock cycle lets you take the deal and repay as the inventory moves, with interest charged only on the drawn balance. We size the limit to your turnover and your buying pattern, subject to serviceability and approval.

Most of the time, no. We are paid a commission by the lender once your facility settles. Where a deal requires significant preparation or involves unusual complexity, a small mandate fee may apply. We will always be upfront about this before any work begins.

Although we are based in Sydney, we service clients across all major Australian cities, including Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart, along with their surrounding regional areas. Wherever your business is located, we can arrange your finance.

Although our main speciality is property loans for business owners, such as a property loan to buy your pharmacy, we also assist with pharmacy fit-out finance and working capital. On asset finance, that covers fit-out, dispensary automation, refrigeration and commercial vehicles. On working capital, we arrange business overdrafts, lines of credit and cash-flow funding. We also arrange commercial mortgages if you are buying or refinancing your premises.