Finance for Medical and Allied Health Clinics helps Australian business owners compare finance options around the cash-flow cycle, documents and lender questions common to this industry. It may suit specific timing gaps or asset needs. It may not suit ongoing losses, disputed revenue or unclear repayment sources.

GP clinics, dentists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, optometrists, psychologists and allied health practices face capital-intensive needs: diagnostic and treatment equipment, practice fitout, acquisition of existing practices, working capital for payroll and overheads, and managing the timing gap between service delivery and Medicare or private health fund payment. This page covers medical and allied health funding scenarios, what lenders assess differently for healthcare businesses, and how to compare finance options before applying.

Direct answer

Medical and allied health clinics in Australia typically need finance for diagnostic and treatment equipment (dental chairs, imaging machines, X-ray and ultrasound, surgical equipment), practice fitout and refurbishment, practice acquisition including goodwill, working capital to cover payroll and supplier costs during Medicare and health fund payment timing gaps, and technology upgrades (practice management software, telehealth infrastructure, patient records).

Healthcare is one of the most resilient sectors assessed by SME lenders. RBA data shows health care has among the lowest stress levels of any Australian industry. Lenders generally view medical and allied health professionals as lower-risk borrowers due to stable demand, recurring patient revenue and strong regulatory standards.

However, the capital requirements can be substantial. A single piece of diagnostic equipment can cost $100,000, $300,000. A full dental or medical fitout can run $200,000, $500,000. Practice acquisitions with goodwill often exceed $500,000.

The right finance structure depends on what is being funded and how the practice generates revenue. Equipment finance is common for physical assets. Working capital loans or lines of credit may suit the timing gap between service delivery and Medicare/health fund rebates. Practice acquisition finance typically involves a mix of equipment finance, goodwill finance and working capital.

Indicative rate context:

Equipment finance from 7.49% p.a.

Unsecured loans from 14.45% p.a.

Secured loans from 7.49% p.a.

Actual rates depend on the lender, practice profile, equipment type, security position and trading history.

✓ Diagnostic equipment (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, CT, OPG/CBCT)
✓ Dental chairs, operatories, sterilisation and suction equipment
✓ Practice fitout, treatment rooms, reception, waiting areas
✓ Practice acquisition including goodwill, equipment and client list
✓ Working capital covering payroll, rent and supplier costs
✓ Debtor finance or cash-flow support for Medicare/health fund timing gaps
✓ Practice management software, telehealth infrastructure, IT systems

Common medical and allied health funding scenarios

Medical and allied health funding needs vary by practice type and stage. Below are common scenarios with the type of finance that typically fits.

✓ Dental practice equipment upgrade: A 4-chair dental clinic needs to replace two ageing operatories with new chairs, delivery systems, suction and intraoral scanners. Cost $180,000, $350,000. Finance fit: Equipment finance secured against the chairs and equipment. Rates from 7.49% p.a. Terms 3, 7 years. The equipment serves as security, keeping cash free for practice operations
✓ GP clinic fitout for a new practice: A doctor opening a new bulk-billing clinic needs 6 consultation rooms, treatment room, reception, waiting area, sterilisation room and IT infrastructure. Cost $300,000, $600,000. Finance fit: Equipment finance for fixed assets (fitout, medical furniture, IT) plus a working capital loan for soft costs (design, project management, stock for opening). For larger fitouts, a secured business loan from 7.49% p.a. may offer better terms
✓ Physiotherapy practice acquisition: A physiotherapist is buying an existing 5-year-old practice with 3 treatment rooms, pilates studio, reception area and an established patient base. Purchase price $350,000 including goodwill ($150,000), equipment ($120,000) and working capital ($80,000). Finance fit: Practice acquisition loan covering goodwill (some lenders offer goodwill financing for AHPRA-registered professionals), equipment finance for the physical assets, and working capital for the transition period. Bundle into one finance package where possible
✓ Chiropractic practice cash-flow gap: A chiropractor treats a mix of private patients, chronic disease management (CDM) plan patients and health fund members. Medicare CDM rebates can take 2, 4 weeks. Health fund payments arrive monthly. Meanwhile wages, rent and equipment lease payments are due weekly or fortnightly. Finance fit: Business line of credit from 14.55% p.a. or working capital loan from 14.45% p.a. to bridge the timing gap between service delivery and payment receipt
✓ Optometry practice expansion: An optometrist with one established store wants to open a second location in a new shopping centre. Need: fitout ($150,000), diagnostic equipment ($80,000), frame and lens stock ($60,000), initial marketing ($20,000). Finance fit: Combination of equipment finance for fitout and diagnostic equipment, unsecured or secured loan for stock and marketing, and a line of credit for cash-flow management during the ramp-up period
✓ Allied health clinic technology upgrade: A psychology and speech pathology practice needs updated practice management software, secure telehealth platform, client portal and upgraded laptops for 5 clinicians. Cost $35,000, $60,000. Finance fit: Equipment finance for hardware (laptops, servers) or unsecured business loan for software and implementation costs. Terms 2, 4 years

Compare business loan rates and lenders in Australia

Filter by product, amount and security type to narrow suitable options.

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Product type

Loan amountSecurity

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Lender	Product	Rate from	Amount	Term	Speed	Compare
BOQ	BOQ Business Loan Established SMEs with strong financials	7.50%	$20,000 - $250,000	1-7 years	2-5 business days	Compare now
Liberty	Liberty Business Loan Flexible criteria and sole traders	7.95% - 17.45%	$10,000 - $350,000	1-7 years	24-72 hours	Compare now
CommBank	CommBank BetterBusiness Loan Bank pathway with relationship banking	8.15% - 14.25%	$10,000 - $500,000	1-7 years	2-6 business days	Compare now
NAB	NAB Business Options Loan SMEs wanting bank-backed facilities	8.20% - 14.40%	$10,000 - $1,000,000	1-7 years	3-7 business days	Compare now
ANZ	ANZ Business Loan Established SMEs with stronger docs	8.35% - 14.75%	$20,000 - $1,000,000	1-7 years	3-7 business days	Compare now
Judo Bank	Judo Business Loan Larger SME growth and acquisition loans	8.50% - 13.95%	$100,000 - $3,000,000	1-10 years	3-10 business days	Compare now
Prospa	Prospa Business Loan Fast unsecured working-capital access	13.90%	$5,000 - $500,000	0.3-3 years	Within 24 hours	Compare now
Banjo	Banjo Business Finance Growing SMEs needing flexible capital	14.20%	$20,000 - $500,000	0.3-3 years	1-2 business days	Compare now
Lumi	Lumi Line of Credit Reusable credit for ongoing gaps	14.55%	$10,000 - $750,000	0.5-5 years	24-48 hours	Compare now
OnDeck	OnDeck Business Loan Fast online unsecured lending	15.00%	$10,000 - $250,000	0.5-3 years	24-48 hours	Compare now
Moula	Moula Business Loan Short-term cash-flow funding	15.80%	$5,000 - $250,000	0.3-2 years	Same day possible	Compare now
Capify	Capify Business Loan Short-term revenue-linked funding	16.50%	$5,000 - $300,000	0.3-2 years	Within 24 hours	Compare now

BOQ

BOQ Business Loan

7.50%

$20,000 - $250,000 • 1-7 years

2-5 business days

Best for: Established SMEs with strong financials

Compare now

Liberty

Liberty Business Loan

7.95% - 17.45%

$10,000 - $350,000 • 1-7 years

24-72 hours

Best for: Flexible criteria and sole traders

Compare now

CommBank

CommBank BetterBusiness Loan

8.15% - 14.25%

$10,000 - $500,000 • 1-7 years

2-6 business days

Best for: Bank pathway with relationship banking

Compare now

NAB

NAB Business Options Loan

8.20% - 14.40%

$10,000 - $1,000,000 • 1-7 years

3-7 business days

Best for: SMEs wanting bank-backed facilities

Compare now

ANZ

ANZ Business Loan

8.35% - 14.75%

$20,000 - $1,000,000 • 1-7 years

3-7 business days

Best for: Established SMEs with stronger docs

Compare now

Judo Bank

Judo Business Loan

8.50% - 13.95%

$100,000 - $3,000,000 • 1-10 years

3-10 business days

Best for: Larger SME growth and acquisition loans

Compare now

Prospa

Prospa Business Loan

13.90%

$5,000 - $500,000 • 0.3-3 years

Within 24 hours

Best for: Fast unsecured working-capital access

Compare now

Banjo

Banjo Business Finance

14.20%

$20,000 - $500,000 • 0.3-3 years

1-2 business days

Best for: Growing SMEs needing flexible capital

Compare now

Lumi

Lumi Line of Credit

14.55%

$10,000 - $750,000 • 0.5-5 years

24-48 hours

Best for: Reusable credit for ongoing gaps

Compare now

OnDeck

OnDeck Business Loan

15.00%

$10,000 - $250,000 • 0.5-3 years

24-48 hours

Best for: Fast online unsecured lending

Compare now

Moula

Moula Business Loan

15.80%

$5,000 - $250,000 • 0.3-2 years

Same day possible

Best for: Short-term cash-flow funding

Compare now

Capify

Capify Business Loan

16.50%

$5,000 - $300,000 • 0.3-2 years

Within 24 hours

Best for: Short-term revenue-linked funding

Compare now

Rates shown are publicly advertised starting rates and ranges where available. Your actual rate depends on lender assessment, security, turnover, time in business, credit profile and loan structure. Updated 10 May 2026.

Lender types that fit medical and allied health practices

Medical and allied health professionals are generally viewed as lower-risk borrowers. Some lenders offer specialised products and preferential terms for healthcare businesses.

✓ Major banks: Offer equipment finance and secured business loans for healthcare professionals. Some have dedicated healthcare banking teams. Rates can be competitive for established practices. NAB offers medical equipment loans with no annual or monthly fees. Approval timelines may be longer than non-bank options
✓ Equipment finance specialists: The most common funding pathway for medical and dental equipment. Focus on the asset value and useful life rather than overall practice profitability. Approval often straightforward for standard equipment from reputable manufacturers. Rates from 7.49% p.a. Terms up to 7 years to match equipment lifespan
✓ Non-bank online lenders: Available for faster or unsecured working capital. Assess based on recent bank statements and trading performance. Useful for practices needing speed or without security. Unsecured from 14.45% p.a
✓ Healthcare-specialist lenders: Some lenders offer specific products for medical and allied health professionals. They may offer longer terms, higher borrowing limits relative to income, reduced documentation and understanding of AHPRA registration, Medicare billing cycles and practice valuations. May also offer low-doc options using bank statements and BAS instead of full tax returns
✓ Broker-facilitated pathways: A broker experienced in healthcare finance can match a practice to lenders that understand AHPRA requirements, goodwill valuations, NDIS revenue recognition for allied health, and practice acquisition structures. Particularly useful for multi-practitioner buy-ins or complex practice acquisitions
✓ Line of credit providers: For ongoing cash-flow gaps between service delivery and Medicare/health fund rebates. Good for practices with steady revenue but uneven payment timing. From 14.55% p.a

What lenders look at for medical and allied health applications

Medical and allied health practices are assessed differently to most other industries. The resilient nature of healthcare demand means lenders may offer more favourable terms, but they still review specific factors carefully.

✓ AHPRA registration and qualifications: For practitioner-owned practices, lender confidence starts with the director's professional registration and qualifications. AHPRA-registered professionals are viewed as lower-risk borrowers. Lenders may ask for proof of registration and sometimes experience history
✓ Practice revenue and billing mix: Lenders look at total practice revenue and the mix between Medicare rebates, private health fund payments, NDIS payments and private patient fees. A diversified billing mix is viewed more favourably. Practices heavily reliant on one payment source (e.g. 90% bulk-billed Medicare) may have slightly less flexibility
✓ Payment timing and cash-flow cycle: The gap between service delivery and payment receipt is a key assessment factor. Practices that see steady weekly revenue may be viewed differently to those with lumpier payment cycles. Lenders may ask for 6, 12 months of bank statements to understand the cash-flow pattern
✓ Lease and premises: The practice lease is an important factor. Lenders prefer leases with 3+ years remaining and premises that are suitable for ongoing healthcare use. Short-term leases or premises that need significant regulatory compliance work may affect borrowing capacity
✓ Equipment quality and useful life: For equipment finance, lenders assess whether the equipment is standard commercial-grade from a reputable manufacturer. Custom or highly specialised equipment may need more detailed assessment. The expected useful life should match the loan term
✓ Practice stage and history: Established practices (2+ years of trading) have more options and better rates. New practices may still access equipment finance based on the practitioner's qualifications, business plan and projected revenue: especially if AHPRA-registered
✓ Personal guarantee: Most healthcare finance will require a director's personal guarantee. However, some healthcare-specialist lenders may offer reduced guarantee requirements for established AHPRA-registered practitioners with strong practice performance

Documents and readiness

Medical and allied health finance applications are often more straightforward than general business lending because of the regulated nature of the sector. Having the right documents ready helps secure better terms.

✓ 6, 12 months of practice bank statements
✓ BAS statements for the most recent 2, 4 quarters
✓ Valid ABN and AHPRA registration certificates
✓ Practice lease agreement (current term and remaining period)
✓ Equipment quotes or invoices (for equipment finance applications)
✓ Practice acquisition documents (sale contract, goodwill valuation, equipment list) if buying a practice
✓ Profit and loss statement for the most recent financial year
✓ Personal identification and director details
✓ ATO account statement or payment plan confirmation (if applicable)
✓ Medicare provider number and health fund registration details (if relevant to revenue verification)
✓ Business plan and revenue projections (for new practice setups)

Rates and cost context

Medical and allied health finance rates are among the most competitive for SME lending, reflecting the lower-risk profile of the sector. The indicative ranges below provide a starting reference only.

Equipment finance from 7.49% p.a.: the most common pathway for diagnostic equipment, dental chairs, imaging machines, surgical equipment and fitout assets. The equipment serves as security. Terms up to 7 years to match equipment lifespan. Residual or balloon payments can reduce monthly costs.

Secured loans from 7.49% p.a.: suitable for larger amounts ($100,000, $1,000,000+), practice acquisitions, complete fitouts or multi-site expansion. Secured against property, equipment or business assets. Longer terms (3, 7 years).

Unsecured loans from 14.45% p.a.: for smaller amounts ($5,000, $150,000), working capital, software, marketing or short-term timing gaps. Faster approval but higher cost.

Line of credit from 14.55% p.a.: for ongoing cash-flow management between service delivery and Medicare/health fund payments. Interest only on drawn amounts.

Practice acquisition finance: rates depend on the structure (equipment finance portion, goodwill finance, working capital). Goodwill finance may carry slightly higher rates than equipment-backed portions because goodwill is intangible.

Important caveats:

- Advertised starting rates apply to the strongest applications only. Real rates depend on practice profile, trading history, credit history, equipment type and lender policy.

- Equipment finance for new practices (no trading history) may have slightly higher rates until trading data is established.

- Tax advantages differ by structure. Equipment loans and chattel mortgages may allow depreciation and GST claims. Finance leases may offer different tax treatment. Speak with your accountant about the best structure for your practice.

- The instant asset write-off threshold changed to $1,000 from 1 July 2025 (down from $20,000). Check current ATO rules and discuss timing with your accountant.

✓ Equipment finance: from 7.49% p.a
✓ Secured loans: from 7.49% p.a
✓ Unsecured loans: from 14.45% p.a
✓ Line of credit: from 14.55% p.a
✓ Terms: 2, 7 years depending on asset type and loan structure

Next steps

Medical and allied health finance starts with identifying what needs funding: equipment, fitout, practice acquisition, working capital, or a combination.

Step 1: Separate the funding need into asset-backed (equipment, fitout) and non-asset (goodwill, working capital, software) components. This helps match each portion to the right product type.

Step 2: Check whether the practice has security (equipment, property) that could unlock lower rates for asset-backed portions.

Step 3: Use the Comparison One funding-fit check below to narrow which product type and lender pathway may fit.

Step 4: Prepare your documents: bank statements, BAS, AHPRA registration, equipment quotes, lease: before approaching any lender.

Step 5: Speak with your accountant about the tax implications of different finance structures (equipment loan vs chattel mortgage vs finance lease) before choosing a product.

Step 6: Compare offers on total cost, repayment frequency and term length, not just the headline rate.

Comparison One helps narrow the starting point. We do not lend money or provide financial advice. We help medical and allied health practitioners compare funding pathways and move toward a realistic next step.

✓ Start the funding-fit check: 90 seconds, no credit pull
✓ Compare equipment finance, secured loans and unsecured options side by side
✓ Read more: Equipment finance, Working capital, Commercial fitout finance
✓ Compare rates across lenders before submitting an application

How this page is reviewed

Field	Method
Last reviewed	2026-05-14
Sources checked	Public lender pages, product pages, government or regulatory sources where relevant, and Comparison One rate-table inputs
How data is ordered	By funding-fit relevance, product type and editorial grouping
Limits	Rates, limits, terms, fees and eligibility can change without notice and depend on lender assessment
Commercial disclosure	Comparison One may receive referral or partner compensation, but this does not guarantee approval or mean a product is suitable

Frequently asked questions

Can I finance medical and dental equipment for a new practice that hasn't opened yet?

Yes, equipment finance is available for new practices. Lenders consider the practitioner's AHPRA registration, qualifications, industry experience and a well-supported business plan. Standard equipment from reputable manufacturers (dental chairs, X-ray machines, sterilisation equipment) is generally straightforward to finance even without trading history. Rates may be slightly higher until the practice has established revenue data.

What types of medical equipment can be financed?

Almost any equipment used in healthcare delivery can be financed, including dental chairs and operatories, X-ray and imaging machines (OPG, CBCT, ultrasound), diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, sterilisation and autoclave equipment, patient monitoring systems, physiotherapy and rehab equipment, optometry equipment, practice management software and IT hardware, and practice fitout assets. Both new and used/refurbished equipment from reputable manufacturers can typically be financed.

Can I finance the purchase of an existing medical or allied health practice including goodwill?

Yes. Practice acquisition finance can cover the purchase price including goodwill, equipment, stock and working capital. Some lenders specialise in healthcare practice acquisitions and understand goodwill valuations. AHPRA-registered professionals may qualify for preferential terms. The finance is typically structured as a combination of equipment finance (for physical assets) and a business loan (for goodwill and working capital).

How do lenders assess the timing gap between Medicare payments and practice costs?

Lenders understand that Medicare and health fund rebates arrive after service delivery. They assess the practice's cash-flow cycle by reviewing bank statements to understand the pattern between service dates and payment receipt dates. A business line of credit or working capital loan can bridge this timing gap. Practices with diversified revenue (private + Medicare + health fund) are generally viewed more favourably.

Are there specialised lenders for healthcare professionals in Australia?

Yes. Several lenders and finance brokers specialise in healthcare and medical lending. They understand AHPRA registration, practice valuations, Medicare billing cycles, NDIS revenue recognition for allied health, and the specific needs of medical and dental practices. They may offer longer terms, higher borrowing limits relative to income, reduced documentation requirements and preferential rates for AHPRA-registered professionals.

What is the typical term for medical equipment finance?

Medical equipment finance terms typically range from 2 to 7 years, depending on the equipment type and expected useful life. Diagnostic imaging equipment (X-ray, ultrasound) may have longer terms (5, 7 years). Dental chairs and operatories typically 3, 5 years. IT equipment and software 2, 4 years. Residual or balloon payments can be structured to reduce monthly costs.

What documents do medical and allied health lenders typically ask for?

Lenders commonly ask for 6, 12 months of practice bank statements, BAS statements, AHPRA registration certificates, ABN details, practice lease agreement, equipment quotes or invoices, and personal identification. For practice acquisitions, the sale contract, goodwill valuation and equipment list are also required. For new practices, a business plan, qualifications evidence and revenue projections may be requested. Established practices with clean financials may qualify for low-doc options.