Business Acquisition Market Data
Real numbers from the Australian business buying landscape. We track trends, monitor valuations, and analyze transaction patterns across Victoria and beyond. This data shapes how we guide clients through purchase decisions.
Understanding Victorian Business Valuations
What we learned from tracking small to mid-size business sales
Last year brought some interesting shifts. Small cafes and hospitality venues saw asking prices drop by about 12% compared to 2023. Not what most sellers wanted to hear, but that's what the market did.
Meanwhile, service businesses held steady or even climbed slightly. Professional services, particularly those with recurring contracts, attracted serious buyer interest. We saw one accounting practice in the inner suburbs go for 22% above initial listing because three buyers got competitive.
- Hospitality sectors experienced valuation corrections averaging 12-15% across metro Melbourne
- Service businesses with established client bases maintained or increased value through strong buyer competition
- Regional Victorian businesses showed surprising resilience with coastal areas particularly sought after
- Businesses with digital infrastructure and remote capability commanded premium valuations
Regional areas told a different story. Coastal businesses in places like Torquay and Lorne stayed hot. Buyers from Melbourne looking for lifestyle change kept demand high. We tracked several instances where regional cafes sold faster than comparable city venues.
What Our Team Found
Our advisors spend time in the field, talking to buyers and sellers. Here's what they're seeing beyond the raw numbers.
Callum Fitzwilliam
Valuation Specialist"Buyers are doing more homework now than I've seen in ten years. They want detailed financials going back further, they're asking about supply chains, checking lease terms twice. The days of a handshake deal based on EBITDA multiples alone? Those are pretty much done."
Sienna Braithwaite
Market Research Lead"The most interesting trend? First-time buyers are younger but more cautious. They grew up during the GFC, saw COVID disrupt everything. They want businesses with proven adaptability. Show them you survived tough times, and they listen. Promise them easy growth, and they walk."
Detailed Transaction Patterns Across Sectors
Hospitality & Retail
Transaction times stretched out significantly. What used to close in 4-5 months now takes 7-9 months on average. Buyers want proof of post-COVID recovery. Foot traffic data, updated customer patterns, and evidence of adapted business models became standard requests during due diligence.
Professional Services
These moved faster. Average transaction time dropped to 5-6 months. Buyers appreciated predictable revenue streams and established client relationships. Practices with documented systems and procedures sold at higher multiples. One dental practice we tracked had every process mapped out and sold within 12 weeks.
E-commerce Operations
Valuations became trickier here. Early pandemic winners faced scrutiny as growth rates normalized. Buyers wanted to separate temporary COVID boost from sustainable performance. Businesses that could demonstrate retained customers from 2020-2021 cohorts maintained stronger valuations.
Manufacturing & Distribution
Supply chain resilience became a major factor. Businesses overly dependent on single suppliers or specific import routes saw buyer hesitation. Those with diversified supply networks or local sourcing options commanded premiums. Documentation of backup suppliers actually influenced final sale prices.
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