- FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions: Buying, Selling & Merging a Business in Australia
Get straight answers to common questions about selling, buying, merging, and valuing a business. Learn the process, legal obligations, and how to get started — with Wyse Advisory’s expert team behind you.
Valuations & Financials
How is my business valued? What multiples apply to my industry?
We use industry-specific EBITDA or SDE multiples, benchmarked against recent sales in your sector. Other factors include risk, systems, customer concentration, and scalability.
What’s the difference between EBITDA, EBIT, SDE, and PEBITDA?
EBITDA is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation. SDE includes owner wage addbacks. PEBITDA accounts for pre-normalisation adjustments. Each suits different deal types — we’ll clarify which applies best to your valuation.
Can I sell if my business is losing money or underperforming?
Yes. Many buyers are strategic and look beyond short-term performance. If your business has strong assets, IP, contracts, or growth potential, we can position it accordingly.
What documents are needed for an accurate business valuation?
At minimum: 2–3 years of P&L, balance sheets, BAS, key supplier/customer data, lease info, and staffing summaries. We guide you step-by-step through the process.
Legal, Tax & Process
What are the tax implications of selling my business in Australia?
Capital gains tax (CGT), small business concessions, and GST on asset sales may apply. We work closely with your accountant or tax agent to optimise your structure.
Do I need a lawyer and accountant during the sale?
Yes. Your accountant helps with tax implications and financial records. Your lawyer handles contract terms, warranties, and settlement. We work collaboratively with your advisors.
What are the steps in the business sale process?
Due diligence is where buyers verify the information provided. It usually takes 3–6 weeks, depending on deal size and complexity. We help manage the process end to end.
Why Should I Choose Wyse Advisory as My Business Broker?
Valuation → Engagement → Buyer targeting → NDA + info pack → Offers → Due diligence → Legal contracts → Settlement. We manage every step to protect your time and deal value.
Buyer Side Questions
How do I find the right business to buy?
We maintain a list of pre-vetted businesses. We’ll match you based on budget, goals, and industry. You can also request an acquisition brief and we’ll source off-market deals.
Can Wyse help with finance or lending to purchase a business?
Yes. We work with trusted finance brokers who specialise in SME and acquisition funding. They’ll help you assess serviceability and structure your deal.
What are red flags when buying a business?
Inconsistent financials, customer concentration, informal staffing, lease insecurity, or legal disputes. We’ll help you spot risks and avoid costly surprises.
What’s involved in an earn-out or vendor finance agreement?
These tools reduce upfront risk. Part of the price is paid later, based on performance. We structure these terms to ensure fairness and protect both parties.
Exit Planning & M&A
How far in advance should I plan to sell?
Ideally 6–18 months. Early planning improves valuation, reduces deal friction, and gives you time to optimise operations and reduce reliance on the owner.
What is succession planning and when should I start?
Succession planning ensures your business can operate without you. It’s critical for both internal exits (family/staff) and market sales. Start as soon as you’re considering a future exit.
What’s the difference between selling and merging my business?
Selling is a full or partial exit to a third party. A merger is a strategic partnership where equity or operations are combined. We help assess both options based on your goals.
What does an acquisition strategy look like for SMEs?
It may involve targeting complementary businesses for growth, margin stacking, or new markets. We design off-market acquisition plans and facilitate every stage.
Brokerage Specific
How is Wyse Advisory different from other brokers?
We’re strategic, certified brokers with 25+ years of proven experience and a strong deal closure track record in the $500K–$15M space. No franchises. No churn-and-burn listings.
Do you work Australia-wide?
Yes. While we’re based in NSW, we support business owners nationally — especially in metro areas, growth corridors, and coastal regions.
Are your services confidential?
100%. All engagements and buyer communications are under NDA. We never disclose your identity without consent and follow strict data handling policies.
What’s your success rate for deals between $1M and $50M+?
We successfully transact over 80% of qualified listings within 6–9 months, with most achieving sale prices within 90–110% of valuation.
Getting Started
What’s the first step to sell my business?
Start with a confidential business valuation or strategy session. This gives you clarity on pricing, process, and timeline — without any obligation.
Can I get a valuation without listing my business?
Absolutely. We offer valuations to qualified business owners. No pressure. No listings required unless you decide to proceed.
How long does it take to get started?
Book a call in under 60 seconds. We’ll contact you within 24 hours and begin your valuation process within 3–5 business days.
Is the initial meeting confidential?
Yes. We operate under a strict non-disclosure policy from the first contact onward. Your business name, financials, and staff are kept fully private.
Can I speak to a broker before committing?
Yes — we encourage it. One of our senior advisors will personally review your situation and walk you through what’s involved.
Do I need to prepare any documents for the first meeting?
Not much — just basic financials and business info. We’ll guide you through what we need and support you through it all.
What if I’m not ready to sell yet?
That’s okay. Many clients start with planning conversations a year or more in advance to build valuation and structure a strong exit.
What should I do right now to begin?
Book My Free Valuation or Strategy Call
No obligations. Just expert insight, tailored to your situation.
Let's Unlock Your Business's True Potential.
We’ll help you maximise your business value, plan a strategic exit, or identify the right acquisition—all with confidentiality, clarity, and confidence.
- 100% Confidential Business Valuation or Exit Appraisal
- Speak with a senior Business Broker, not a junior
- Tailored growth, acquisition or exit strategies
- Insights on your business worth, market appetite & saleability
🔒 100% Private & Confidential | 📞 Speak with a Broker
