153 Businesses For Sale in Australian Capital Territory

Start by deciding what type of business you want to buy. Think about your budget, preferred industries, lifestyle goals and how involved you want to be day-to-day. Our Buying a Business Guide has a simple checklist that makes this part easier and helps you narrow down your options.

Once you know what you’re looking for, jump onto Bsale and use the search filters to browse businesses for sale that match your criteria. You can save your favourite listings, compare them side by side and turn on daily email alerts so you’re notified as soon as new opportunities are added.

When you’ve built a shortlist, contact the seller and take time to look closely at each business. Check the financials, customer base, competition and the owner’s reason for selling, this usually gives you a pretty clear picture of which ones are worth pursuing. When you're ready to move forward, it’s always wise to speak with an accountant, solicitor or business adviser who can help you work through the due diligence and make sure everything stacks up.

> Guide to Buying a Business in Australia 
> 7 Signs You’ve Found the Right Business to Buy

The amount you need really depends on the size, industry and location of the business. In 2025, the average advertised price of a business in Australia is around $650,000, but the range is wide. On Bsale, you’ll see everything from $20,000 start-ups to multi-million-dollar companies, so there are options to suit almost every budget.

Average advertised prices as of 1st November 2025:

When working out how much you actually need, the key number to look at is profit, not just the price. Most small businesses are valued using a multiple of their annual net profit (EBIT or EBITDA). Different industries sit in different ranges cafes often sell for around 1.5–2.5x profit, while trade and professional service businesses which can be more stable are usually closer to 3–5x. For example, if a business earns $150,000 a year and is priced at a 2.5x multiple, the asking price would be roughly $375,000.

It’s also worth checking what’s included in the sale. The asking price may cover goodwill, equipment and fit-out, customer lists, trademarks, software or intellectual property. Some listings are marked +SAV (stock at value), meaning inventory is added on top of the sale price.

Beyond the purchase price, buyers should budget for working capital to run the business in the first few months, a lease bond or security deposit, legal and accounting fees, and any upgrades, repairs or staffing changes needed after settlement. These costs sit outside the asking price, so it’s important to factor them into your planning.

A good approach is to set a clear budget, browse businesses in your price range on Bsale, and compare their profits, multiples and inclusions so you can understand what you can comfortably afford.

> EBITDA, EBITA, and EBIT: What These Mean and Why Accountants Use Them

Due diligence is one of the most important steps when buying a business.

When you view a business for sale on Bsale, you’ll notice that not all information is public, this protects the business and its staff. To access the financials and other confidential documents, you’ll need to contact the seller or business broker.

During the buying process, you’ll need to conduct due diligence to make sure you understand every part of the business and that you’re paying a fair price. This usually involves reviewing the financials (P&L, tax returns, BAS), the lease, staff and supplier agreements, equipment, stock, and any debts or liabilities. It’s also essential to understand why the owner is selling and how the business operates day-to-day.

Because due diligence can be complex, it’s important to get advice from an accountant, solicitor or adviser who specialises in business sales. They’ll help verify the information, identify risks and make sure everything checks out before you move forward.

You want to uncover any issues during negotiation and due diligence, not after settlement. Getting it right early helps you avoid costly mistakes.

> What is Due Diligence in a Business Sale?

Most small business purchases take 6–14 weeks from enquiry to settlement, and enquiring through Bsale helps streamline the early stages by giving you direct access to the seller or broker. The initial phase of making contact, signing an NDA and reviewing first-round financials typically takes 1–3 weeks.

If you decide to proceed, due diligence usually takes another 2–4 weeks while your accountant and solicitor review the financials, lease, contracts, staff obligations and any potential risks.

Contract negotiation and finance approval often require a further 2–4 weeks, especially when landlords, lenders, franchisors or licensing approvals are involved. Simple, low-risk businesses can settle in under two months, while businesses requiring liquor licences, childcare approvals, medical compliance or government contracts may take 3–4 months or more.

The best way to keep things moving is to respond quickly, organise your finance early and work closely with your solicitor, accountant, finance broker and the seller throughout the process.

Buying a business is much easier when you have the right people in your corner. Most buyers work with an accountant and solicitor to check the financials, lease, contracts and structure of the deal, as they play a key role in due diligence. A licensed business broker can also guide you through the process, help you understand pricing, negotiate with the seller and keep the deal moving smoothly toward settlement.

It’s also worth having a good finance broker early on. Many deals fall over because buyers can’t secure lending in time, or the bank isn’t comfortable with the numbers. A finance broker helps you understand your borrowing capacity, prepares your application properly and positions you to move quickly when you find the right opportunity.

Alongside that, you can do your own research; browse listings, compare prices, check industry trends and speak directly with sellers to get a feel for how the business operates. Platforms like Bsale make this easier by giving you access to thousands of listings in one place, along with email alerts for new opportunities that match what you’re looking for.

The goal is simple.... build a small team of professionals who can explain the risks, highlight the value and help you make a confident, informed decision.

> The 5 Experts Every Business Buyer Needs on Their Team 
> Your Guide to Buying a Business in Australia

Yes. Bsale has a buyer alerts system that emails you new businesses for sale every morning at 6am. Once you’re registered, you’ll be notified whenever a new business is listed that matches your criteria, so you can stay ahead of other buyers and not miss opportunities.

You can also subscribe to our newsletter, sent every Tuesday and Friday, with the latest listings, market updates, and articles for buyers and sellers.

> Register for Buyer Alerts
> Receive Weekly Newsletter

You can sell a business either privately or with the support of a licensed business broker, it really comes down to how hands-on you want to be. Many owners choose to manage the process themselves through Bsale, creating their listing, speaking with buyers, and handling negotiations. Others prefer working with a broker who can assist with pricing, marketing, enquiries, and negotiations.

Generally, the process involves; preparing the business for sale, organising your financials, setting a realistic price, marketing the sale, managing enquiries, contract exchange through to settlement. We’ve put together resources to help you understand the process and decide what’s right for you.

> Guide to Selling a Business
> How Long Does it Take to Sell a Business?
> Read Testimonials

The ACT offers one of the most stable and reliable business environments in Australia, making it an attractive choice for buyers looking for predictable demand and year-round activity. With a population of over 460,000 people and one of the highest median household incomes in the country, the Territory provides a strong customer base supported by consistent government employment and steady population growth.

Canberra’s economy is driven by public administration, professional services, education, health, defence, and technology industries that generate stable spending and reduce the risk of seasonal fluctuations. This creates a strong foundation for small businesses such as cafés, retail stores, service providers, health practices, trades, childcare, beauty, fitness and professional services.

The ACT is also known for its high rate of small business participation, with many suburbs operating as self-contained hubs where local businesses thrive on community loyalty and repeat customers. Ongoing infrastructure investment, urban redevelopment and a growing student population further support local business activity.

With strong household incomes, steady foot traffic, a diverse mix of service-based industries and one of the most stable economies in Australia, the ACT continues to be a strategic and secure place to buy a business.

> ACT Economy
> ACT Demographics - ABS
> Your Guide to Buying a Business in Australia - Bsale

In the ACT, buyers gravitate toward stable, service-based businesses that benefit from Canberra’s high-income population and strong government workforce. Cafes, restaurants, and boutique hospitality venues remain popular thanks to steady weekday trade and reliable weekend locals. Retail, beauty, and wellness operators also attract solid interest in busy suburban centres.

Professional services including accounting, consulting, IT support, and allied health continue to perform strongly due to the territory’s large knowledge-based workforce. Trades and home services such as cleaning, gardening, maintenance, and small construction operators also see consistent demand.

Overall, ACT buyers look for well-established businesses with predictable cashflow, strong local demand and low volatility.

Because the ACT is compact, most business activity is centred in Canberra, where the territory’s population, workforce and spending power are concentrated. The strongest opportunities are found in the main town centres; Civic, Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong and Gungahlin. Anchored by major shopping hubs such as Canberra Centre, Westfield Belconnen and Westfield Woden, these precincts offer consistent foot traffic, strong household incomes and stable demand for hospitality, retail, trades, health and professional services.

Surrounding suburbs and local neighbourhood centres also perform well thanks to a steady, year-round population driven by government, education and tourism. Overall, well-located businesses in and around Canberra’s major town centres and shopping districts tend to achieve the best results in the ACT.

The ACT Government provides a range of support services, grants and advisory programs designed to help business owners start, grow or transition into a business. Through the Business Hub, owners can access guidance on licensing, compliance, digital capability, workforce, and operating in regulated sectors. Additional support is available through Access Canberra, which provides information on starting or purchasing a business, and the Canberra Business Advice & Support Service, offering mentoring and business planning assistance.

The territory also provides resources for innovation, sustainability initiatives and skills development, with further support available from the Australian Government for tax, employment and small-business programs.

For those relocating to the ACT, federal visas may be available depending on business ownership, investment or skilled migration pathways.

Useful links include:

> Business Hub – ACT Government
> Business and Work - Access Canberra
> Canberra Business Advice & Support Service
> Business & Investment Visas – Department of Home Affairs