Business Acquisition Statistics
Real market data and insights to guide your business purchase decisions in Australia's evolving commercial landscape
Current Market Pulse
The Australian business acquisition market shifted dramatically through 2024, creating new patterns that smart buyers need to understand. We track these changes daily, watching how interest rates, regulatory updates, and sector performance impact deal flow.
What's particularly interesting right now is the disconnect between asking prices and actual transaction values. Many sellers still anchor to 2022 valuations, while buyers work with current market realities.
- 23% Average gap between initial asking price and final transaction value in Q4 2024
- 156 Days average time-to-sale for businesses valued between $250K-$2M
- 67% Of deals now include vendor financing components, up from 41% in 2023
Sector Performance Breakdown
Different business types tell completely different stories right now. Some sectors remain red-hot with multiple bidders, while others struggle to attract serious interest.
Professional Services
Accounting firms and legal practices continue showing strong multiples, particularly those with established client bases. The shift toward remote work has actually boosted valuations for firms that adapted their service delivery models effectively.
Manufacturing & Trade
Supply chain disruptions created both challenges and opportunities here. Businesses with diversified supplier networks command premium valuations, while single-source dependent operations face scrutiny from buyers.
Retail & Hospitality
Recovery patterns vary wildly by location and concept. Suburban cafes and specialty retail show resilience, while CBD-dependent businesses still trade at significant discounts to pre-2020 levels.
Technology Services
SaaS businesses and tech consultancies maintain strong buyer interest, though valuations have normalized from the inflated levels seen in 2021-2022. Recurring revenue models still attract premium multiples.
Deal Timeline Reality
Initial Search Phase
Most serious buyers spend 3-6 months identifying and evaluating potential targets. This phase involves industry research, financial criteria setting, and initial market testing.
Due Diligence Period
Thorough investigation typically requires 45-90 days, depending on business complexity. Financial audits, legal reviews, and operational assessments happen simultaneously during this critical phase.
Negotiation & Structure
Deal structuring and final negotiations average 30-45 days. Creative financing arrangements and risk mitigation terms often require multiple revision rounds before reaching agreement.
Settlement Process
Legal documentation, bank approvals, and final settlements take 30-60 days. Vendor financing arrangements can accelerate this timeline significantly compared to traditional bank funding.
Behind the Numbers
Our market intelligence comes from real transactions, not theoretical models. These team members live and breathe business acquisitions daily.
Bjorn Eriksson
Bjorn tracks deal flow across 15 industry sectors, maintaining relationships with business brokers, accountants, and lawyers who see transactions first. His weekly market reports help clients understand pricing trends before they become obvious to competitors.
Celia Thornfield
Celia's database contains detailed records of over 3,200 Australian business sales from the past five years. She identifies patterns that help buyers understand which factors most significantly impact final transaction values in different market conditions.
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Get personalized insights for your specific acquisition criteria and target sectors. Our market intelligence helps buyers make informed decisions with confidence.
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