Commercial property finance is a fundamentally different discipline from residential lending. Lenders assess commercial property applications on the property's income-producing potential, its tenancy profile, the borrower's business strength, and the loan-to-value ratio relative to a professional valuation — not just on personal income and the property's purchase price. Every lender on our panel applies different policies for different property types. As your Melbourne commercial property finance broker, Integrated Finance Group navigates all of that for you — doing the analysis, preparing the application, and placing it with the right lender the first time.
Commercial Property Finance — Melbourne Market in 2026
The Melbourne commercial property market has shifted in 2026. Industrial and logistics properties remain lender favourites due to low vacancy and strong tenancy demand. Office lending has tightened, particularly for secondary-grade CBD space, while medical and healthcare premises attract premium LVRs from specialist lenders. Retail in strong-traffic locations is back in favour after several cautious years. Understanding which property type attracts which lender — right now — is what makes the difference between an approval and a decline.
Commercial Property Finance Products We Arrange
🏛 Commercial Mortgage — Owner-Occupier
Purchase or refinance premises your business operates from. Owner-occupier commercial loans attract better LVRs and rates than investor loans, as lenders price in the business dependency on the property. Offices, warehouses, retail shops, medical suites, industrial units.
💰 Commercial Investment Property Loans
Finance commercial property as an investment — leased to tenants generating rent. Assessed on lease terms, tenant quality, rental yield, and your overall financial position. Lender appetite varies significantly by property type and location.
🏭 Industrial & Warehouse Finance
One of the strongest categories for commercial lenders in Melbourne in 2026. Industrial properties in Melbourne's west, north, and south-east attract competitive LVRs from both banks and specialist non-bank lenders.
⚕ Medical & Allied Health Premises
Medical property is a lender favourite — strong demand, quality tenants, long leases. Specialist lenders offer healthcare-specific commercial loans with premium LVRs up to 80% for freehold medical properties with good tenancy profiles.
🏠 SMSF Commercial Property Loans
Purchase commercial property through your self-managed super fund via a limited recourse borrowing arrangement. Business owners can buy their own premises through SMSF, pay rent into super, and own it outright over time. A powerful strategy — done correctly.
🏗 Small Development Finance
2–6 dwelling residential or commercial projects. We arrange construction finance, pre-sales requirements, residual stock loans, and the full development funding stack. Typically requires a 20–35% equity contribution depending on project scale and location.
Commercial Property Finance — Broker vs. Going Direct to Your Bank
| Factor | IFG Commercial Broker | Direct to Your Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Lender access | ✓ 30+ banks & non-bank lenders | ✕ One lender only |
| Property-type matching | ✓ Lender matched to your property type | ✕ Standard credit criteria applied |
| LVR negotiation | ✓ Best LVR across 30+ lender policies | ✕ That lender's policy only |
| Complex structures (SMSF, trust, company) | ✓ Specialist lenders on panel | ✕ Often declined or higher rate applied |
| Credit file protection | ✓ One targeted application | ✕ Multiple enquiries if declined |
| Cost to you | ✓ Usually free — lender pays commission | — No broker fee but no advocacy |
Commercial Property Types We Finance in Melbourne
Our Commercial Property Finance Process
Free 15-Min Strategy Call
We understand the property, the purpose (owner-occupier vs investment), your financial position, and the borrowing entity (company, trust, SMSF). We tell you upfront whether it's achievable and what LVR and terms to expect.
Lender Shortlist & Indicative Terms
We identify 2–3 lenders best suited to your property type, loan size, and structure. We obtain indicative terms — rate, LVR, fees — before committing to a full application.
Application Preparation
We prepare the full application package including business financials, rent rolls, lease documents, and supporting information. A well-prepared application moves faster and attracts better decisions.
Valuation & Credit Assessment
The lender commissions an independent valuation and runs their credit assessment. We manage this process and respond to any additional information requests promptly to keep the timeline moving.
Approval, Documentation & Settlement
Formal approval, loan documentation, legal review, and settlement. We coordinate with your solicitor and the lender to ensure a clean settlement. Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks from application.
🏠 SMSF Commercial Property — A Powerful Strategy for Business Owners
If your business leases its own premises, you may be able to purchase those premises through your SMSF and lease them back to your business at market rent. The rent flows into your super fund, the SMSF pays down the loan over time, and when the property is fully owned, it can be sold or continue generating retirement income — potentially tax-free in pension phase. This is one of the most compelling legal structures available to business owners, and we have dedicated SMSF commercial lenders on our panel. Learn more about SMSF lending.
Related Services
Frequently Asked Questions — Commercial Property Finance Melbourne 2026
- What types of commercial property can I finance through IFG?
- All commercial property types — offices, retail shops, warehouses, industrial premises, medical and allied health suites, childcare centres, service stations, hospitality venues, and mixed-use properties. We also arrange development finance for small-scale residential and commercial projects. Each property type has different lender appetites in 2026, and our job is to match you with the right one.
- What LVR can I get on a commercial property loan in Melbourne?
- Standard commercial property LVR from major banks is typically 65–70% for owner-occupiers and 60–65% for investors. Non-bank and private lenders can go to 75–80% for strong-quality properties in good locations. SMSF commercial property loans are typically capped at 65–70% LVR. The exact LVR depends on property type, tenancy profile, location, and your financial position — we assess this upfront.
- What is the minimum loan size for commercial property finance?
- Most major banks have minimum commercial property loans of $500K–$1M. Non-bank lenders on our panel typically start from $200K–$300K, making them more accessible for smaller commercial properties where bank minimums create a gap.
- Can I use my SMSF to purchase commercial property?
- Yes — this is one of the most powerful strategies available to business owners. A business owner can purchase their own commercial premises through their SMSF via a limited recourse borrowing arrangement, lease the property back to their business at market rent, and have the super fund own it outright over time. We have dedicated SMSF commercial lenders on our panel.
- How is commercial property finance different from a home loan?
- Commercial loans assess the property's tenancy profile, net income, lease terms, and tenant quality — not just personal income. Interest rates are generally higher, terms are typically 15–25 years, and LVRs are lower than residential. Serviceability combines personal income and property income. We explain all of this at your first call.
- Can I refinance an existing commercial property loan?
- Yes — commercial property refinancing is one of our most active areas. If your commercial loan is more than 2–3 years old, there is likely a better option available. We review your rate, LVR, term, and break costs, then compare 30+ lenders to determine whether a genuine net benefit exists.
- How long does commercial property finance take to settle?
- Typically 4–8 weeks from full application to settlement, depending on lender, property type, and valuation requirements. Development finance typically takes 6–12 weeks. We flag realistic timelines upfront and always select lenders whose turnaround matches your purchase deadline.
- Do commercial property loans require a personal guarantee?
- In most cases yes — lenders require personal guarantees from directors of the borrowing entity. This is standard practice in Australian commercial lending. We explain guarantee implications clearly before any application, and for some lenders, the scope of the guarantee can be limited depending on loan structure.
Talk to a Melbourne Commercial Property Finance Broker Today
Whether you're purchasing, refinancing, or developing — we'll find the right commercial property finance solution across 30+ lenders. Free 15-min strategy call, no credit check, no obligation.
Call Brian on 0401 333 636 | Frank on 0413 032 898 | info@ifgrp.com.au