Recession-Proof Business Playbook – Buy or Sell with Confidence

Secure your financial future with recession-resilient businesses that keep generating cash in any market. Whether you’re planning an exit or looking to acquire, Wyse Advisory helps Australian owners and investors get data-backed valuations and a clear M&A strategy.

  • Understand what your business could be worth in today’s market

  • See how recession-resilient your business looks to buyers

  • Get a clear exit or acquisition roadmap in 20–30 minutes

Get My Recession-Proof Strategy

What Is a Recession-Proof Business?

No business is totally immune to economic shocks, but some industries and business models consistently
outperform during downturns.

A recession-resilient business typically:

  • Operates in essential or non-discretionary sectors such as healthcare, logistics, food, compliance services and core trades.
  • Generates recurring or contract-based revenue, not just one-off project income.
  • Has diversified customers and suppliers, avoiding dependence on one major client.
  • Shows stable margins and strong cash conversion across multiple years.
  • Can operate effectively without the owner being in every decision.

For buyers and financiers, these traits reduce risk and make it far easier to fund and close a deal.

Why Recession-Proof Businesses Matter Now in Australia

In the current Australian environment of interest rate changes, tighter lending and shifting consumer behaviour, buyers are more selective than ever. They are actively chasing businesses that can withstand economic headwinds.

  • Essential demand: ABS industry data shows that sectors like healthcare, logistics and essential services maintain activity even when discretionary spending falls.

    Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics – Industry statistics.

  • Finance-ready profiles: Business-for-sale marketplaces consistently highlight strong demand for resilient, high-cash-flow businesses with clean financials and recurring revenue.

    Source: SeekBusiness insights & market commentary.

  • Better exit outcomes: ATO small business benchmarks and industry reports indicate that resilient SMEs often achieve stronger multiples and faster sales due to higher buyer competition.

If your business sits in, or can be repositioned towards, these characteristics, you are in a stronger position to sell well – even in uncertain times.

Who This Playbook Is For

This page is designed for:

  • Business owners with enterprise value roughly between $500K and $15M+ who want to understand their exit options.
  • Buyers and investors looking for low-risk, cash-generating businesses in resilient sectors.
  • Founders and directors wanting to prepare now so they don’t leave 20–40% of value on the table later.

If that’s you, a confidential strategy session with a senior business broker or M&A adviser can shortcut months of guesswork.

What You’ll Get in Your Free Strategy Session

  • Business Assessment & Saleability Score –
    We review your normalised EBITDA, customer concentration, contracts and key risks to estimate a realistic valuation range and how “recession-resilient” your business appears to buyers.
  • Exit or Acquisition Blueprint –
    Whether you’re selling, buying or considering a merger, you’ll receive a clear, practical roadmap:
    timing, preparation steps, buyer profiles and likely deal structures.
  • Live Market Intelligence –
    Access current benchmarks for typical profit multiples by sector, average time on market for similar deals, and what serious buyers are paying attention to right now.
  • Q&A with a Senior Broker –
    Ask the questions you can’t put into Google. Get unvarnished feedback on your options, risks and opportunities.

Real Outcomes in Resilient Sectors

NSW – Trade Services Business

Sale: $2.1M   |   EBITDA: $540K

Sector: Building compliance maintenance

Sold to a strategic buyer within 8 weeks. Ongoing compliance work created predictable demand.

VIC – Allied Health Clinics Group

Sale: $3.8M   |   PEBITDA: $950K

Sector: NDIS & private allied health

Multiple offers received. Government-backed funding underpinned buyer confidence and bank support.

QLD – Specialty Food Manufacturing

Sale: $5.4M   |   EBITDA: $1.2M

Sector: FMCG / contract supply

Strong contract pipeline secured a premium valuation and attractive earn-out structure.


Case data is drawn from Wyse Advisory’s internal CRM and aligned with publicly available sector trends from sources such as SeekBusiness and ABS.

Why Work with Wyse Advisory?

  • Millions in completed and advised transactions across services, trades, food manufacturing, logistics and healthcare.
  • 20+ years of combined experience in Australian SME business sales and M&A.
  • Buyer-matching intelligence using a proprietary CRM and active national buyer network.
  • ABS & ATO-aligned process, from valuation through to negotiations and settlement, working alongside your legal and tax advisers.

“Wyse delivered a clear roadmap, found the right buyer, and negotiated strongly on our behalf – we exited with confidence.”

— Business Owner, NSW (Contract Services Industry)

Claim Your Complimentary Assessment or Deal Appraisal

This confidential session is ideal if:

  • Your business generates $250K–$3M in EBITDA or you believe it could sell for $500K–$15M+.
  • You are 6–36 months away from a potential exit or acquisition.
  • You want clear, evidence-based guidance rather than generic advice.

🚀 No cost. No obligation. 100% confidential.

Book A Meeting
10.9%
average net profit for a business in Australia (2025)
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Recession Proof Businesses – Frequently Asked Questions

Not automatically. Well-prepared, recession-resilient businesses can attract strong interest even in challenging conditions. The key is preparation, positioning and running a structured sale process rather than reacting to the first offer that appears.

We review your financials (EBITDA, margins, cash flow), industry benchmarks, the quality and diversity of your customers and suppliers, and recent comparable sales. From there we provide an indicative valuation range and suggestions to improve it over time.

No. The session is designed to give you options. Some owners choose to go to market quickly, others prefer to implement improvements first and revisit in 6–18 months. There is no obligation to engage us beyond the session.

We typically work with established Australian businesses with enterprise value between $1M and $50M+, across sectors such as trades, logistics, allied health, food manufacturing, professional services and other essential or B2B services.

Get Your Recession-Proof Exit Assessment

  • Understand what your business could be worth in the current market

  • See how recession-resilient your business looks to buyers

  • Get a clear next-step plan – sell, hold or prepare

  • The biggest regret business owners have? Waiting too long to sell

100% confidential. No obligation. We’ll contact you within one business day. By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy. We’ll review your details and contact you within one business day.