Retail Property Loans
Specialist retail property loans from $500K to $100M+.
Shopping centres, strip retail, franchise locations and more. Rates from 6.50%. Up to 70% LVR. We find the right options from our 60+ lenders who are actively writing retail loans. Free consultation.
Retail Property Loans — Overview (Last reviewed 01 March 2026)
Interest Rates & Terms
- Rate Range: 6.50% - 9.90%
- Loan Terms: 1 - 30 years
- Repayment: P&I or Interest-only Flexible
LVR & Deposit Requirements
- Min Deposit: 30%
- Typical LVR: 55% - 70%
- Deposit Range: 30% - 45%
Loan Amounts & Speed
- Loan Range: $500k – $100m+
- Settlement: 14-28 days
- Lender Panel: 60+ specialist lenders
Types of retail properties we can help finance
Our retail property loans cover the full range of retail real estate investments across Australia. With access to 60+ lenders who understand the Australian retail commercial property market, we help secure and structure financing for:
✅ Shopping centres & malls
✅ Strip retail & high street shops
✅ Large format regional shopping
✅ Franchise retail locations
✅ Local and corner store retail shops
✅ Mixed-use retail developments
Book a call with our team to find out how we can secure the optimal retail property loan for business owner-occupiers or commercial investors.
Do You Qualify for This Type of Loan?
Quick eligibility check for retail property loans
Do you have a 30% deposit for your retail property?
This can be cash savings, equity in existing property, or a combination of both.
Will your retail property have strong tenants?
National retail brands, established franchises, or your own retail business (3+ years).
Is your credit history clear?
No defaults over $5,000 in the past 2 years.
Do you have documentation showing you can service the loan?
2+ years of financials showing capacity to service the loan.
Is the retail property in a good location?
Metro areas, shopping precincts, or strong regional centres.
Retail Property Finance Assessment
Analysing your retail property finance eligibility...
Why Our Retail Property Expertise Matters
Specialist knowledge that transforms complex retail property transactions into successful outcomes
We Speak Retail Fluently
Our team understands the nuances between destination retail and convenience retail, why drive-through capability adds value, and how co-tenancy clauses impact lending decisions. We present your application in language lenders value.
Targeted Lender Matching
From our panel of 60+ lenders, we know exactly which are actively looking for retail deals. We match your property type, location, and tenant profile with lenders who understand and want your specific retail asset.
Preemptive Problem Solving
We identify and address potential obstacles before submission. Unconventional tenant mix? We highlight complementary trading patterns. Emerging location? We emphasise growth potential and infrastructure.
Negotiation From Strength
Our volume of retail property transactions gives us leverage individual borrowers lack. We know current market pricing, which lenders are hungry for retail exposure, and how to achieve optimal terms.
Speed Through Preparation
Retail opportunities are time-sensitive. Our established relationships and refined processes deliver approvals in days, not weeks, without compromising terms. Perfect for competitive bidding situations.
Data-Driven Advantage
We leverage market data, comparable sales, and yield analysis to position your property optimally. Our business plans include metrics that matter - foot traffic, sales per square metre, and tenant covenant strength.
Nadine Connell
Commercial Finance Broker
Retail Commercial Property Finance Rates & Repayments
General rates and repayments guidance for commercial property loans from $500k to $100m+
Interest Rate General Guidance (last checked 01 March 2026)
Maximum LVR
LVR Range
Loan Terms
Fixed Rate
Repayment Structures
Understanding Retail Property Finance in Australia
Why Retail Requires a Different Lending Approach
We find that retail is the commercial asset class where lender appetite varies the most. While industrial and office properties attract broad interest from lending panels, only around 25% of Australia’s commercial lenders are actively pursuing retail property deals at any given time. The reason is structural — lenders view discretionary retail as exposed to e-commerce disruption, changing consumer habits, and tenant turnover cycles that don’t apply to other property types.
This narrower lender pool makes broker selection critical. If you approach the wrong lender with a retail property application, not only will you waste time, this might also result in a credit enquiry that weakens your subsequent applications with other lenders. With access to 60+ specialist lenders, we know which are actively pricing retail and which have pulled back — and that changes quarter to quarter.
How Lenders Categorise Retail Risk
It’s important to note that not all retail property carries the same risk profile, the lenders we work with draw sharp distinctions. Essential retail — anchored by supermarkets, pharmacies, medical tenancies, or government services — attracts the most favourable terms because these tenants generate foot traffic regardless of economic conditions. Neighbourhood centres with essential anchors can achieve LVRs of up to 70% for investment purchases or owner-occupier borrowers.
Discretionary retail faces tighter scrutiny. Fashion, homewares, and specialty retailers are assessed on lease tenure, brand strength, and whether the location supports foot traffic independently of any single tenant. Lenders typically want a WALE of three years or more and vacancy below 20% before offering competitive pricing on discretionary-heavy centres.
What’s know as experiential retail — gyms, restaurants, entertainment venues — sits in a middle category. These tenancies are resistant to online disruption but carry fit-out risk, meaning lenders assess the cost of re-leasing if the tenant vacates. Properties where the fit-out is generic rather than highly specialised normally receive better treatment.
Get Instant Access To Australian Retail Property Lenders
From the Big 4 banks to specialist retail property funders, we negotiate with active retail property lenders
retail property
lenders available
Major Banks
The Big 4 and tier 1 banks offer the most competitive rates starting from 6.50% for prime retail properties with strong national tenants.
Best for: Shopping centres, high street retail with blue-chip tenants
Regional Banks
Local expertise with dedicated relationship managers who understand regional retail dynamics, offering faster decisions and flexible assessment criteria.
Best for: Regional shopping centres, local strip retail
Non-Bank & Private Lenders
Specialist funders providing up to 70% LVR with 5-day approvals for complex deals, renovations, or time-critical purchases.
Best for: Quick settlements, higher LVR requirements, unique structures
SMSF Specialists
Approved LRBA lenders offering compliant structures for SMSF retail property purchases with LVRs up to 70% and competitive rates.
Best for: Self-managed super fund property investments
Retail Property Loans - Features & Requirements
Compare common features across different lender types and loan structures
Feature |
Major Banks |
Non-Bank Lenders |
Private Capital |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Interest Only Periods |
Up to 5 years |
Up to 5 years |
Flexible |
Common |
LVR Range |
55% - 70% |
Up to 70% |
50-65% |
Standard |
Redraw Facility |
Available |
Available |
Limited |
Common |
Offset Account |
Select products |
Limited |
Not available |
Limited |
Fixed Rate Options |
1-5 years |
1-3 years |
Usually variable |
Available |
Split Loans |
Available |
Available |
Rare |
Standard |
Extra Repayments |
Variable loans |
Variable loans |
Negotiable |
Common |
Director Guarantees |
Usually required |
Often negotiable |
Case by case |
Standard |
Security Requirements |
First mortgage |
May accept 2nd mortgage |
Flexible structures |
Varies |
Loan Terms |
Up to 30 years |
Up to 25 years |
1-5 years typical |
Flexible |
The Smart Business Plans Advantage
Save time. Save hassles. Get the right loan for you. Free Consultation.
We call you back
Ever call a bank or broker that doesn't call you back? Not with us. We pride ourselves on our personalised service.
We work for you
We take the time to understand your goals, and with that knowledge we find the right commercial loan products to match.
Australia-wide
We have a national lender network covering retail properties in all Australian metro, regional and rural locations.
Nadine Connell
Commercial Finance Broker
Retail Property Loan Borrowing Power Calculator
Find out how much you could borrow for your retail property investment or owner-occupier purchase
Your Details
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Enter your details and click calculate to see your retail property borrowing power
Your Potential Borrowing Power
Retail Property LVR Guide
- Shopping Centres: Up to 70% LVR
- Strip Retail: Up to 70% LVR
- Franchise Properties: Up to 70% LVR
- Owner-Occupiers: Higher LVRs available
What Affects Your Borrowing?
Tenant quality, lease terms, location, and your financial position all impact how much you can borrow. Strong national tenants and prime locations typically access better terms.
Disclaimer: This calculator is provided for illustration purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a loan offer. Calculated figures are estimates only, may be inaccurate, and do not reflect actual lender terms or fees. Actual loan amounts, rates, repayments, and eligibility will vary based on your specific circumstances and lender assessment. Do not base any financial decisions on this calculator. Contact our team for a tailored quote.
Frequently asked questions
What LVR can I get for a retail property loan in Australia?
The typical LVR range for a retail property loan is 55% – 70%, though some properties can attract higher LVRs if you have very strong tenant covenants like national retailers, or essential services (especially government). Your exact LVR will depend on factors like the property location (metro vs regional), tenant quality, lease terms remaining, and your business’s financial position. Retail properties with multiple tenants, or those in prime retail locations, can attract higher LVRs.
Another important factor that goes into your LVR whether you have other quality retail assets and stable income streams. Speak to our team who have a ton of experience with retail property loans for an exact personalised quote.
Which banks lend on retail property in 2025?
A part of the value a commercial finance broker brings is understanding the local lending market, and which lenders are focused on what commercial property types and locations. Currently only around 25% of Australia’s commercial lenders are open to or actively seek retail property deals.
The reality is that the Big 4 banks (CBA, Westpac, ANZ and NAB) remain selective in the retail space, focusing on prime locations with national tenants. That’s where regional banks like Bank of Queensland, Bendigo Bank and others show more flexibility for local retail. Non-bank lenders like Thinktank, Pepper Money, Scottish Pacific and others can also offer competitive rates for retail properties that the banks won’t touch.
Specialist retail property lenders understand tenant mix, foot traffic patterns, and retail sector dynamics better than generalist lenders. Our team can quickly connect you with the best lending options, saving you time, money and hassles.
Can I get finance for a shopping centre or retail complex?
Yes, we have shopping centre finance available for properties from neighbourhood strips to regional centres.
Lenders will assess the tenant mix diversity, the strength of your anchor tenant, occupancy rates, and catchment demographics (we can help with this if needed). Neighbourhood centres under $5M typically need a 70% LVR or better, while larger complexes are assessed on a case by case basis.
Mixed-use retail with residential or office components can often attract more favourable terms as lenders deem them less risky. The current market conditions favour established centres with essential services like supermarkets, medical centres, and childcare tenants, and especially government tenants which are considered recession-proof.
What are current retail property loan interest rates?
Retail property finance interest rates are 6.50% – 9.90%, but your exact rate will depend on the lender, your finances, and property quality. Big 4 bank rates for prime retail typically offer the best rates for loans under 70% LVR (banks are very selective in the retail space in Australia).
Non-bank lenders typically charge higher rates, but offer more flexible criteria. Regional retail or properties with vacancy issues will usually attract the highest rate ranges which is due to perceived retail sector risks.
How do lenders assess retail property loan applications?
Lenders evaluate retail property loans using specialised criteria which includes things like tenant covenant strength, weighted average lease expiry (WALE), location foot traffic, competition analysis, and online shopping impact. Our bank loan business plans for retail premise acquisition can cover all this for our as part of our application management service.
Lenders mostly want to see a minimum 3-year WALE, less than 20% vacancy, and evidence of sustainable rental yields above 6%. Your business needs to demonstrate 1.25x debt service coverage ratio (which we can do as part of our cash flow forecasting service).
Having an experienced retail property broker who understands which lenders suit your specific retail type – whether convenience, comparison, or bulky goods – significantly improves your approval chances.
Is it harder to get finance for retail property than other commercial property?
Yes, retail property finance typically faces stricter lending criteria than industrial or office properties. That’s why engaging a specialist commercial property finance broker can increase your chances of success. Only 25% of commercial lenders are actively pursuing retail deals, significantly less than other commercial property types such as industrial properties.
Lenders are currently concerned about the continued impact of e-commerce, as well as changing consumer habits and tenant stability. However, what would be deemed ‘essential retail’ (things like supermarkets, pharmacies, medical, government services etc), convenience retail if it’s near to transport hubs, and experiential retail (gyms, restaurants etc) still remain strong for attracting commercial loans. The key is matching your retail property type with lenders who understand and actively seek that specific retail segment.
Can I refinance a retail property loan?
Yes, refinancing a commercial property loan is popular for clients that have had their retail loan for a period of 12 months or more, and at rates 0.50% above current market rates. Of course, refinancing isn’t just about getting a better interest rate, it can also be a strategic business decision to unlock equity to invest in business growth (as an alternative choice to a secured business loan), purchase business assets, or improve cash flow.
