Retail premises to rent in Australia: rent and lease rules
Retail premises to rent in Australia are listed at roughly A$800 to A$1,000 per square metre gross for prime retail space in South East Queensland, and some shop listings run from A$70,000 to A$210,000 a year including outgoings, excluding GST. These are approximate figures, according to property listings, November 2026. Rent is quoted per lease, not per job, so describe the premises you want in a request on BlaBlaPrice to get offers for your area and floor size.
What the rent depends on
- Suburb and city: rents differ between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, and within each city.
- Floor area in square metres, plus the frontage and entrance width.
- Outgoings and GST, which some listings show on top of the rent.
- Fit-out, make-good costs and the length of the lease.
Lease law differs by state
Retail leases are governed by state and territory law, so the rules change at the border. New South Wales has a Retail Tenancy Guide that lists costs beyond rent, such as fit-out, outgoings, insurance and make-good. Victoria's Retail Leases Act 2003 sets out which charges a landlord can pass on. In South Australia, leases above a prescribed rental threshold, raised to A$420,000 excluding GST, fall outside the retail leasing law. Ask which regime covers your lease before you sign.
Timing and season
Summer runs from December to February and winter from June to August. If you want to trade through the summer season, start looking at least a few months before December, because inspection, negotiation and signing take time. Commercial leases run for a defined period, so choose a term that matches your plans.
What to check on the premises
Measure the floor area and frontage before you visit, and check water, drainage and extraction if you plan to cook or wash on site. Electrical capacity and the condition of the fit-out affect the cost of opening, so ask for both in writing.
What to put in your request
Say the premises type, the suburb or city, the floor area in square metres, your monthly rent budget and the business type. Add the lease term you want, and whether you need a shopfront, a back room or storage. Clear details let sellers and landlords reply with a real offer.
On BlaBlaPrice you describe the space in your own words in a free chat. The AI asks for missing details, looks through listings and businesses in Australia, and shows the prices and places it found. Sellers registered on BlaBlaPrice reply in the chat with their offer and terms, and your contact details stay hidden until you choose to exchange them. For smaller or shared options, see coworking spaces or offices to rent, or start with commercial property for rent.
Questions and answers
How much does retail space cost to rent in Australia?
Prime retail space in South East Queensland is listed at about A$800 to A$1,000 per square metre gross, and some shop listings range from A$70,000 to A$210,000 a year including outgoings, excluding GST.
Are outgoings and GST included in the rent?
Check each figure. One shop listing quotes its rent including outgoings and excluding GST, so ask for each amount separately before you compare offers.
Do retail leases have special rules?
Yes, in several states. New South Wales publishes a Retail Tenancy Guide, Victoria's Retail Leases Act 2003 limits what landlords can pass on, and South Australia excludes leases above A$420,000 a year excluding GST.
What costs should I ask about before signing?
Ask about fit-out, outgoings, insurance, make-good requirements and the lease term in writing. The New South Wales guide lists these as costs to consider beyond rent.
