Choosing the Right Location for Your Health Practice
Location Matters More Than You Think
The location of your healthcare practice affects everything — patient volumes, referral networks, staff recruitment, lease costs, and long-term growth. A great clinician in a poor location will struggle, while a competent practice in a prime location can thrive.
Key Factors to Consider
Demographics and Demand
Start with the population. How many people live within 5–10km of your proposed location? What are their demographics — age, family status, income? Different practice types serve different patient profiles. A paediatric practice needs young families; a specialist medical centre needs referral pathways from surrounding GPs.
Competition Analysis
How many competing practices operate in the area? An area with high population but many existing practices may offer limited growth potential. Conversely, an underserved area with growing population can be a strong opportunity. Our Location Finder tool uses live Google Places data to show you exactly how many competing practices operate near any Australian postcode.
Accessibility and Parking
Healthcare patients — especially elderly, unwell, or mobility-impaired patients — need easy access. Consider proximity to public transport, on-site or nearby parking, ground-floor access, and DDA compliance. Practices in multi-level buildings without lifts or with limited parking often see lower patient volumes.
Visibility and Foot Traffic
A street-level premises on a busy road or in a medical precinct provides natural visibility and walk-in potential. Practices tucked away in office buildings or residential streets may rely more heavily on online presence and referrals.
Zoning and Planning
Not all commercial spaces can operate as healthcare facilities. Check local council zoning — medical use may require specific planning permits. Some councils have restrictions on the number of health practices in certain areas, and change-of-use applications can take months.
Proximity to Referral Networks
If your practice depends on referrals (specialists, pathology, imaging), being near referring practitioners or a hospital can significantly boost patient volumes. Co-location in a medical precinct or integrated health hub offers built-in referral networks.
Metro vs Regional
Regional areas often have lower rent and less competition, but smaller patient catchments. Medicare incentive programs and rural health workforce programs can make regional practice financially attractive. Population growth corridors on the fringe of major cities often offer the best of both worlds — growing demand with lower establishment costs.
Try Our Location Finder
Our Location Finder tool analyses any Australian postcode for population density, growth trends, competition levels, and overall viability for your practice type. It uses live data from Google Places and ABS population statistics to give you a real picture of the opportunity.