Buying commercial property in Sydney?
We help Sydney business owners and investors buy, refinance and develop commercial property, from CBD strata offices and Inner West shopfronts to warehouses across the South Sydney and Western Sydney industrial belt. We find the lender that best understands your asset and precinct, and get the deal done.
We can help you:
- Buy the premises your business operates from
- Acquire a commercial property as an investment
- Borrow up to 60% to 80% depending on the asset. 100% LVR is available in some cases involving cross-collateralised security.
- Refinance or release equity from a commercial property
- Buy across medical, industrial, retail, office and more
- Structure an SMSF commercial purchase
- Fund a construction or development project
- Free up your working capital
- Arrange finance through a trust or company structure
Who we help:
- Established business owners who require finance between $100k to $10M
- First-time borrowers who need a beginner-friendly strategy
- Sophisticated borrowers and investors who need a unique strategy and deal structure
- Urgent, time-sensitive deals that need to move quickly
- Self-employed and trust-structured borrowers who need their income presented properly
- Commercial property owners with multi-tenancy plans
Speak to a specialist today
1,000+
loans settled
$500M+
funded
Commercial mortgages in Sydney
From Western Sydney warehouses to Eastern Suburbs restaurants, we get you funded
We help Sydney business owners, investors and SMSF trustees access commercial property finance. That means finding the right lender for the specific property type and borrower profile, structuring the application correctly, and managing the process through to settlement. Sydney's commercial market is deep and varied, lender appetite shifts by asset class and precinct, and the right lender for a North Shore office is often wrong for a Western Sydney factory.
Funding from $100K to $10M
from over 60 bank & non-bank lenders
- ANZ
- Bankwest
- Bluestone
- Bank of Queensland
- Commonwealth Bank
- Firstmac
- ING
- Macquarie
- NAB
- Pepper Money
- Suncorp Bank
- Thinktank
Commercial property finance specialists in Sydney
Commercial mortgages are a specialist area, and one we speak with Sydney clients about every week, for business owners buying their premises and investors building a portfolio across the city. The purchases we finance most often include:
- –Owner-occupier commercial property purchase
- –Investment commercial property and landlord finance
- –SMSF commercial property under a limited recourse borrowing arrangement
- –Commercial construction and development finance
- –Commercial property refinance and equity release
For a Sydney owner-occupier, the loan is sized on your business income and serviceability, reaching up to 80% on standard commercial security, and valued on vacant possession. Investment loans gear against net passing rent, which matters in tightly held precincts where yields are sharp. Terms run to 25 to 30 years with interest-only available, and GST applies unless the sale is a going concern.
Why businesses choose Ardent Capital Group as their broker
Execution and strategy
Strategy first, then execution. We structure your deal properly and take it to the lenders we know suit this kind of deal, without sending the same request out four ways.
Clear advice for smart lending
Straight answers on LVR, structure and timing, including when a deal does not stack up.
A long-term partner
We stay with you well beyond settlement, with lasting relationships and ongoing support from the team.
Property types
Sydney commercial property scenarios we finance
Commercial lending is not one product, it is a different assessment, a different lender panel and a different process for each asset class. Below is an overview of the property types we work across most often in Sydney, plus the regions and suburbs we service.
Medical and specialist clinics
When you buy the consulting rooms your practice works from, whether that is a suite in a medical precinct or a standalone clinic on a suburban high street, healthcare income puts you in a lending class of its own. GPs, dentists, specialists and allied health earn steady, resilient revenue, so major banks assess your profession rather than treating the purchase as ordinary commercial property.
Most practices are held through a service trust, partnership or company, and that income has to be read across those entities before a lender will price the loan. We map your structure to the lenders who understand it and present the figures the way their credit team expects.
- LVR to 80% for medical, dental and veterinary borrowers, and up to 100% where an existing residential property is offered as added security
- Valued on vacant possession for owner-occupiers, or on the passing rent where a consulting suite stays leased
- Fit-out, medical equipment and practice goodwill can often be funded alongside the property
- Terms to 25 years, with an interest-only period available while a practice builds patient numbers
- Documents to prepare: two years of practice financials, an accountant’s letter and the lease if tenants remain
- GST usually applies unless the sale qualifies as a going concern with tenants in place
Warehouse and industrial property
When your business owns the unit or shed it operates from, anywhere across Sydney's industrial estates, the loan is serviced by trading cash flow, so lenders read your accounts as closely as the building. Owner-occupiers reach around 70%, and some non-bank lenders stretch further where the balance sheet supports it.
Held as an investment, the same asset is assessed on its lease and tenant, generally at 60% to 70%. We match the structure, owner-occupier, investment or SMSF, to the lenders who price industrial property well.
- Accepted zonings include IN1 General Industrial, IN2 Light Industrial and E4 General Industrial under the current NSW codes
- High clearance, hardstand, container access and three-phase power all lift an industrial valuation
- Investment loans price off net passing rent, the strength of the lease covenant and the weighted average lease expiry
- Contaminated land, service stations and older asbestos-clad sheds narrow the lender list and can trigger an environmental report
- Alt-doc available on BAS and an accountant’s declaration where recent full accounts are not ready
- Deposit around 30%, funded from cash, business equity or a related property
Professional services offices
Accounting firms, law practices, advisory businesses and consultancies buying their own suite, whether in a CBD tower or a suburban commercial building, are assessed off professional income, usually earned through a service trust or partnership. Lenders reach 70% to 75% for owner-occupiers once that income is presented in the form their credit team expects.
Strata suites and multi-tenancy buildings change the picture, because the valuer weighs the individual title against the wider building. We work out whether owning beats leasing on your numbers, then place the loan.
- Strata offices assessed on the individual lot, its by-laws, the strata levies and the sinking fund balance
- Owner-occupiers can lease surplus floors back out, and the added rent lifts serviceability
- Car spaces held on separate commercial titles can often be funded in the same facility
- A-grade, B-grade and secondary building gradings shift both the LVR and the interest rate
- Prepare recent partnership or company financials, a rent schedule for any tenants and your trust deed
- Terms commonly run 15 to 25 years, with an interest-only option over the first few years
Retail owner-occupier premises
When the business that trades from the shop also owns it, on a suburban high street or in a neighbourhood centre, lenders test two things at once: whether your operation services the loan, and what the premises are worth if you ever left. That dual view is why standard commercial security reaches up to 80%.
Strata shops and retail-over-residential add title and zoning questions that not every lender will take. We match your property and entity to the ones that price retail sensibly.
- Main-street and neighbourhood-centre shopfronts read more strongly than secondary strip or arcade positions
- Retail-over-residential is valued across both components, and the residential portion can push the LVR up
- Reliance on a single anchor tenant or a short remaining lease is treated as a risk on investment retail
- E1 Local Centre, E2 Commercial Centre and MU1 Mixed Use zonings are commonly accepted
- Provide two years of trading figures, a profit and loss for the site and the current lease if one exists
- Fit-out finance and a business overdraft can be arranged alongside the property loan
Hospitality, childcare and specialist assets
Pubs, hotels, licensed venues and childcare centres, from an inner-city bar to a long day care centre in the growth corridors of Western Sydney and the Hills, are valued on what they earn, not on bricks and mortar. Hospitality is read off trading performance and going-concern value, childcare off a capitalisation of the net operating income, so the quality of the numbers decides the outcome.
Fewer lenders write these, and the ones that do read each sub-class differently. Getting the right lender at the application stage is the largest single factor in an approval.
- LVR usually 55% to 65%, reflecting the income-based, specialised-security valuation
- Childcare pricing turns on licensed places, occupancy, the operator’s track record and the remaining lease term
- A liquor licence, gaming entitlements and the freehold-versus-leasehold split all feed a hospitality valuation
- Going-concern sales can be GST-free where the business transfers as an operating whole
- Prepare accountant-prepared trading accounts, the service approval and any franchise or management agreement
- A freehold-plus-business loan is assessed differently from a freehold let to a separate operator
SMSF commercial property
Yes, this can be done, and we arrange it. A self-managed super fund buys the property under a limited recourse borrowing arrangement, the property sits in a separate holding trust, and your operating company leases it back at market rent. It is a solid, compliant structure. It is also unforgiving of detail, and the detail below is where these purchases are won or lost.
We know this sounds complicated. It is, and that is exactly why we do it every day. Reach out and we will guide you through the entire process. We structure the finance and tell you which lenders will take a commercial property as SMSF security and on what terms, and we bring in the SMSF specialists and licensed advisers who set the fund side up, so the structure holds together from the first conversation rather than being unpicked at settlement.
- From 10 August 2026 a new arrangement can only be used for business real property: a property trading wholly as a business generally qualifies, a property with a residence attached generally does not
- The property sits in a separate holding trust, and the lender's recourse is limited to that one asset
- Your operating company leases it back in writing, at market rent supported by an independent appraisal, and the rent has to actually be paid, or it can be taxed as non-arm's length income
- The arrangement funds a single asset, so the business, its goodwill and its fit-out are financed separately, outside the fund
- Cross-collateralisation is not available inside super. The fund needs its own deposit, and the 100% LVR structures available outside super do not apply
- Lenders cap SMSF lending below a standard purchase, generally between 65% and 75%, and want cash left in the fund after settlement
Our complete list of services
- Buy the premises your business operates from
- Acquire a commercial property as an investment
- Borrow up to 60% to 80% depending on the asset class
- Finance medical, industrial, retail, office or hospitality property
- Refinance an existing commercial loan
- Release equity for growth or another purchase
- Structure an SMSF commercial purchase
- Fund a construction or development project
- Arrange finance through a trust or company structure
- Buy specialist assets like childcare or licensed venues
- Free up your working capital
- Bridge a settlement timing gap
- Consolidate a commercial property portfolio
- Move a property into super
- Provide personal and home finance for owners
- Support first-time commercial property buyers
The areas we service
We are based in the Sydney CBD and arrange commercial finance right across Greater Sydney. Wherever your property sits, we know the lenders and valuers active in that pocket of the city, and how they read local zoning, yields and tenant demand. The regions and suburbs we work across most often include:
- Sydney CBD & inner city — Sydney CBD, Barangaroo, Pyrmont, Ultimo, Surry Hills, Haymarket and Redfern
- Eastern Suburbs — Bondi Junction, Randwick, Double Bay, Waverley, Rose Bay and Maroubra
- Inner West — Newtown, Marrickville, Leichhardt, Balmain, Ashfield and Burwood
- North Shore — North Sydney, Chatswood, St Leonards, Macquarie Park, Lane Cove and Artarmon
- Northern Beaches — Manly, Dee Why, Brookvale, Mona Vale and Frenchs Forest
- Western Sydney — Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, Liverpool, Auburn and Wetherill Park
- The Hills District — Castle Hill, Norwest, Rouse Hill, Kellyville and Baulkham Hills
- South West Sydney — Bankstown, Fairfield, Campbelltown, Camden and Smithfield
- Sutherland Shire & St George — Hurstville, Kogarah, Rockdale, Sutherland, Cronulla and Miranda
Not on the list? We still cover it. We finance commercial property anywhere in Sydney and across NSW, and we work with clients Australia-wide.
Our process
How it works
✓We understand your scenario
We talk through the Sydney property, your business and timeline, and any complexity in your structure.
✓We find the right lender
We match your deal to the lender on our panel best suited to it for that asset and precinct.
✓You receive clear terms and guidance
We present indicative terms and explain what we recommend, and why.
✓We stay with you beyond settlement
We manage everything through to settlement, then stay in your corner well beyond it, with ongoing support from the team.
Lender features compared
How commercial property loans compare across lenders
The right lender for a Sydney commercial purchase depends on the asset type, whether you occupy or invest, and your entity structure. The major banks and non-bank lenders active in Sydney take different views on LVR, asset appetite and approval speed.
| Commercial loan feature | Major banks | Non-bank lenders | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum LVR | 60% to 75% | Up to 80% | Standard |
| Owner-occupier finance | Preferred rates | Available | Common |
| SMSF purchase | Up to 65% | Up to 70% | Popular |
| Interest-only periods | Up to 5 years | Up to 5 years | Common |
| Loan term | Up to 25 to 30 years | Up to 25 years | Flexible |
| Lease / WALE (investment) | Longer WALE preferred | Shorter WALE considered | Important |
| Approval timeframe* | 3 to 6 weeks | 2 to 4 weeks | Varies |
| Best suited for | Established borrowers, standard assets | Complex structures, higher LVR, specialised assets | — |
*IMPORTANT: These are indicative figures only. Terms, LVRs and approval timeframes vary with borrower capacity, security type and individual lender criteria, and are subject to change. Figures are a general guide, not a quote or an offer of finance, and not a representation that finance is available on these terms.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a local commercial mortgage broker?
You do not strictly need one, but a broker working across the Sydney market every week knows how local lenders and valuers read each precinct, from CBD office towers to the industrial estates of the city's south and west. Ardent Capital Group is based in the Sydney CBD on Clarence Street and arranges commercial finance across Greater Sydney and the rest of Australia.
I see you're based in Sydney CBD. Does your team service all of Sydney?
Yes. Our office is in the Sydney CBD, but we arrange commercial finance right across Greater Sydney and beyond. That covers the Eastern Suburbs, the Inner West, the North Shore and Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Hills District, South West Sydney, and the Sutherland Shire and St George area. Wherever your property sits, we know the lenders and valuers active in that part of the city, and most of the process runs by phone, email and video, so distance is never a barrier.
What types of commercial property do you finance?
Offices, warehouses and industrial units, retail shopfronts, medical and specialist clinics, hospitality venues, childcare centres, mixed-use buildings and SMSF commercial property. Sydney's commercial stock ranges from CBD strata suites to large industrial estates in the city's west, and lender appetite differs for each asset class.
How much can I borrow for a commercial property?
LVRs depend on the asset class and whether you occupy or invest. Medical and professional owner-occupiers often reach 70% to 80%, standard industrial, retail and office owner-occupiers up to 80%, investment property 60% to 70%, and specialist assets like childcare and hospitality 55% to 65%. We arrange funding from $100K to $10M.
Are commercial property valuations assessed differently?
The methodology is the same nationally, but Sydney's tight yields and strong land values mean valuers weigh location and zoning heavily. A well-located Inner West or North Shore asset can support a stronger valuation than a comparable property elsewhere, while secondary Western Sydney industrial is assessed closely on its lease and tenant strength.
How long does a commercial mortgage take to settle?
A straightforward owner-occupier purchase with clean financials usually settles in four to six weeks. SMSF, development and specialist assets take longer. We give you a realistic timeline for your specific property before you commit to an exchange date.
Can I buy my business premises through my SMSF?
Yes, it is possible, and we arrange these. It is also one of the more intricate purchases in commercial finance, and the detail is what decides whether it works. The fund borrows under a limited recourse borrowing arrangement, so the property sits in a separate holding trust and the lender can only come after that one property. From 10 August 2026 a new arrangement can only be used for business real property: a property trading wholly as a business generally qualifies, a property with a residence attached generally does not. Your operating company leases the property back from the fund, in writing, at market rent supported by an independent appraisal, and the rent has to actually be paid. Cross-collateralisation is not available inside super, so the fund needs its own deposit and the 100% LVR structures described elsewhere on this page do not work here. Lenders cap SMSF lending below a standard purchase, generally between 65% and 75%, and want cash left in the fund after settlement. We know this sounds complicated. It is, and that is exactly why we do it every day. Reach out to our team and we will guide you through the entire process. We structure the finance, tell you which lenders will take a commercial property as SMSF security and on what terms, and bring in the SMSF specialists and licensed advisers who set the fund side up. You will not be working it out on your own. Get that right and it is a solid, compliant structure.
Do you charge fees for commercial mortgage broking?
Most of the time, no. We are paid a commission by the lender once your loan settles. Where a deal needs significant preparation or is unusually complex, a small mandate fee may apply, and we will always tell you plainly before any work begins.
Can you help if a bank has declined my commercial application?
Often, yes. A decline from one lender does not mean the deal is not fundable. Sydney's non-bank and specialist commercial lenders take a different view on LVR, income presentation and asset appetite. We will give you a straight assessment of what is achievable before proceeding.
Why choose Ardent Capital Group as your commercial mortgage broker?
We are a commercial finance specialist based in the Sydney CBD, not a generalist broker. We have settled more than 1,000 commercial and residential mortgages and funded over $500M, and we structure each application before it goes to a lender so it lands with the one that suits it.
What documents do I need to apply?
A typical application needs identification, the contract or property details, recent business and personal financials, tax returns, bank statements and details of your entity or trust structure. SMSF and development deals need more. We give you a specific checklist up front so the application is submitted right.
What areas do you service?
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 commercial property is located, we can arrange your finance.
What other finance can you assist with?
Although our main speciality is property loans for business owners, we also assist with asset finance for Sydney businesses and working capital for Sydney businesses. On asset finance, that covers equipment, machinery, commercial vehicles and fit-out. On working capital, we arrange business overdrafts, lines of credit and cash-flow funding to cover stock, supplier payments and cash-flow gaps.
I've been a business owner for a few years now, but this will be my first loan. Are you beginner friendly?
Yes. That is our core ethos, helping you understand the right strategy, structure and clear advice from the very first conversation. Our main borrower profiles are established business owners and commercial property investors seeking finance from $100,000 upwards for their company, so a first commercial loan is well within our wheelhouse. Smaller sole-trader and consumer-style ABN lending sits outside our field.
