How Much Does a Commercial Fit-Out Cost in Australia? (2026 Price Guide)

"How much will it cost?" is the first question every business asks before starting a fit-out — and it's usually the hardest to answer honestly. Fit-out costs in Australia vary enormously depending on finish level, building condition, and scope, so a single number rarely tells the whole story. This guide breaks down the current benchmarks so you can budget realistically before you get a firm quote.

The short answer: $800–$3,500+ per square metre

Commercial fit-out costs in Australia are generally quoted per square metre, and they fall into three broad tiers:

| Fit-out level | Typical cost | What's included |

| Basic (Cat A) | $800 – $1,200/m² | Raised floors, suspended ceilings, basic mechanical/electrical distribution, painted walls — a functional shell, not a finished space |

| Standard (Cat B) | $1,500 – $2,500/m² | Partitioning, meeting rooms, kitchen/breakout areas, standard lighting, basic joinery |

| Premium (Cat B+) | $2,800 – $3,500/m² and up | Glazed partitions, feature ceilings, bespoke joinery, branded finishes |

For early budgeting in Sydney and Melbourne, $2,600–$3,000/m² is a reasonable starting baseline for a mid-spec commercial fit-out — and nationally, the average medium-quality fit-out currently sits around $3,011/m², with costs trending up 3.5–6% year on year.

Don't forget demolition and strip-out

If your space already has an existing fit-out, removing it comes first — and it's easy to underestimate. Strip-out and demolition costs typically range from $30 to $150 per square metre, depending on complexity:

- Basic strip-out (open plan, minimal partitions): $30–$50/m²

- Standard strip-out (partitioned offices, meeting rooms, joinery): $50–$80/m²

- Complex strip-out (extensive services, multiple kitchenettes, server rooms, hazardous materials): $80–$150+/m²

A 250m² CBD tenancy with a standard strip-out typically runs $8,000–$20,000 before any reinstatement work begins. Smaller suites (under 100–200m²) often attract a minimum call-out rate rather than a strict per-m² price, since mobilisation costs the same regardless of floor area.

Why the "per square metre" number can still mislead you

Two businesses fitting out the exact same floor area can end up with very different bills. The rate alone doesn't capture:

- Building condition — an older building with outdated services, no existing ceiling grid, or non-compliant balustrades adds cost before a single finish is chosen.

- Access and site constraints — loading dock access, lift size, and working hours (especially in occupied buildings) all affect labour cost.

- Hazardous materials — a pre-demolition asbestos/lead paint survey is standard practice on any older commercial strip-out, and remediation (if anything is found) sits outside a standard quote.

- Services scope — upgrading mechanical ventilation, fire detection, or electrical capacity to suit a new use can be a significant line item that a flat $/m² rate doesn't show.

- Feature elements — bespoke joinery, glazed partitions, feature lighting rigs, or anything built to a specific brand or creative direction (a photo studio cyclorama, for example) is usually priced as its own allowance, not folded into a blended rate.

This is why most experienced fit-out builders apply a 10–15% contingency on a well-scoped project, rising to 20% or more when the base building's condition is unknown — and why a real quote only comes after a site verification survey, not a generic rate card.

A realistic project timeline

As a rough guide, a commercial fit-out of low-to-mid complexity typically runs:

1. Site verification & scope confirmation — 1–2 weeks

2. Quote confirmation & contract — 1–2 weeks

3. Demolition & construction — 8–14 weeks, depending on scope

4. Handover — 1–2 weeks

Projects with a separate design stage (mood boards, concept plans, 3D modelling before pricing) typically add 2–3 weeks up front — though that step isn't always necessary if the design direction is already locked in.

How we price it at Fitouts 360

Every number above is a general industry benchmark — useful for an early budget conversation, not a quote. At Fitouts 360, we price fit-outs directly, as the builder, after a site verification survey — no generic rate card, and no external tender to wait on. That means the number you get back reflects your actual building, your actual scope, and your actual finish level, not an industry average.

If you're planning a fit-out and want a real, project-specific budget instead of a rule of thumb, get in touch with Fitouts 360 — Designed for Class, Built to Last.

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Figures in this guide are general Australian commercial fit-out and strip-out benchmarks current as of 2026, intended for early-stage budgeting only. They are not a quote and don't account for your specific building or scope — contact Fitouts 360 for project-specific pricing.