159 Businesses For Sale in Australian Capital Territory

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To secure a business loan in Australia, cash is king. Most lenders cap their Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) at 50–70%, meaning you typically need a 30% to 50% cash deposit upfront.

With the average asking price on Bsale currently sitting at $659,535 (Dec 2025), you should aim for a starting capital budget of $200,000 to $330,000 for a standard acquisition. However, the market is diverse with prices ranging from $20,000 micro-businesses to multi-million dollar enterprises, so it will depend heavily on the business you're buying.

Don't forget to budget for the "hidden" closing costs beyond the purchase price, which require immediate liquid cash. You will typically need to set aside between $1,500 and $8,000 for legal fees depending on complexity, plus funds for due diligence expenses like accountant reviews, government duties, and lease transfer costs. Crucially, you should also retain a working capital buffer large enough to cover wages, rent, the lease bond, and stock for your first 90 days of trade.

Is the price fair? Most small businesses are valued using a "multiple of profit" typically 1.5x to 4x annual net profit. For example, If a business nets $150,000 a year, a fair market price is likely between $225,000 and $600,000. Once you conduct due diligence it will help you to establish what is a fair price for the business. 
 

You must conduct thorough due diligence across three key pillars:

1. Financials: Verify 3 years of Profit & Loss (P&L) and BAS statements.
2. Legal: Review the commercial lease terms and required licenses.
3. Operations: Check staff contracts and the condition of equipment.

Always have a qualified accountant verify that the owner's "Discretionary Earnings" (SDE) actually match the bank statements. Poor due diligence is the #1 cause of post-sale failure, so never skip this verification.

> What is Due Diligence in a Business Sale?

On average, most small business purchases take 6 to 14 weeks from the initial enquiry to final settlement, though complex acquisitions involving government licenses or commercial finance can extend beyond six months.

The process typically unfolds in four consecutive stages. It begins with Enquiry & Initial Review (1–3 weeks), where you sign an NDA and assess the Information Memorandum. This moves into Due Diligence (2–4 weeks), a critical period for your accountant and solicitor to investigate tax returns and lease agreements. Once satisfied, you enter Offer & Negotiation (1–2 weeks) to agree on price and terms, before concluding with Finance & Legal Finalisation (2–5 weeks) to secure bank approval and transfer the lease.

To achieve the highest price, ensure your financials are "bank-ready" and your operations are fully documented. You can choose to list directly on Bsale to reach our database of qualified buyers or engage a licensed business broker to manage the valuation and negotiation process for you.

> Sell a Business
> Guide to Selling 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