Questions for Sellers

How much does it cost to list my business?

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It's free to list. The first 50 businesses listed get 12 months free. After the free period, paid plans start from as little as $299+GST. See our pricing page for full details.

Will my staff or customers find out I'm selling?

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Only if you want them to. You can list your business confidentially — we don't display your business name, exact address, or financial details publicly. These are shared only with buyers who you've accepted to enquire further.

Most sellers prefer to keep their sale private until a buyer is found and a deal is near completion.

How do I know what my business is worth?

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Business valuation varies significantly by industry, profitability, and market conditions. As a very rough guide only, many small businesses sell for 1–3× annual profit — though some industries command higher multiples and this is not a reliable rule of thumb.

We recommend getting a formal valuation from a qualified accountant or business broker before setting your asking price. We can refer you to specialists. Being realistic about price is one of the most important factors in successfully selling.

How long does it take to sell?

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It varies. Some businesses sell quickly; others can take 2, 3 or even 6+ months. Key factors that speed up a sale:

  • Realistic asking price based on actual financials
  • Good quality photos and documentation
  • Clear story about the business and the handover
  • Willingness to do a transition period with the buyer
  • Responsiveness to buyer enquiries

Do I need a business broker?

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Not necessarily. Many sellers successfully sell their business directly through our platform without a broker. However, for businesses with complex structures, a broker can add significant value — handling negotiations, managing documentation, and finding buyers beyond our platform.

We can refer you to brokers who specialise in retirement business sales if you'd like one involved.

What documents do I need to have ready?

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To create a strong listing, you'll ideally have:

  • Last 3+ years of profit & loss statements
  • Recent BAS lodgements and tax returns
  • Current balance sheet
  • A list of assets included in the sale
  • Lease agreement (if applicable)

You don't need everything to get started — you can list and add more detail as you go.

What happens after I submit my listing?

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We review every listing before it goes live. Once approved, your listing appears in our search results and buyers can start finding and enquiring about your business.

When a buyer enquires, you receive their name, contact details and message. You choose whether to respond.

Can I withdraw my listing at any time?

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Yes. You can remove your listing at any time — no questions asked. Just contact us and we'll take care of it.

Questions for Buyers

Is it free to use the platform as a buyer?

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Yes, completely free. You can browse listings and submit enquiries at no cost. We never charge buyers a fee.

How do I enquire about a business?

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Click "Enquire" on any listing and fill in the form. We forward your details to the seller, who will decide whether to respond. If they accept your enquiry, you'll receive their contact details and can arrange to speak directly.

Can I see full financials before I meet the seller?

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Detailed financials are shared at the seller's discretion — usually once there's an initial conversation and the seller is comfortable with your interest. Most sellers will ask you to sign a confidentiality agreement before sharing sensitive documents.

What's the typical buying process?

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Generally:

  • Browse listings and identify opportunities that suit you
  • Make an enquiry and have an initial conversation with the seller
  • Sign a confidentiality agreement and review financials
  • Make an offer and agree on terms
  • Conduct due diligence
  • Secure finance if needed
  • Formal contract, settlement and handover

We recommend seeking independent legal and financial advice before completing any purchase.

Can I get finance to buy a business?

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Yes. Business acquisition finance is available from most major banks and specialist lenders. Typically lenders want to see the business's financials, a business plan, and evidence of your experience in the industry. We can refer you to specialist finance brokers.

What should I look for when doing due diligence?

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Key areas to investigate:

  • Financial performance over 3+ years (trends matter more than a single year)
  • Reason for sale
  • Lease terms and transferability
  • Staff situation — are key people staying?
  • Customer and supplier concentration
  • Any outstanding legal or compliance issues

This is a general guide only. We recommend seeking independent legal and financial advice before completing any purchase.

About the Platform

What makes Sell & Retire different from other platforms?

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We're Australia's only marketplace built specifically for retiring business owners. That means:

  • Buyers who are specifically looking for retirement business handovers
  • A process designed with care for owners stepping away from something they've built
  • Referrals to advisors who specialise in these transactions
  • A focused, relevant audience — not a generic classifieds site

Is this platform Australian owned and operated?

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Yes. Sell & Retire is 100% Australian owned and operated. We understand the Australian small business landscape, the tax environment, and what matters to Australian business owners approaching retirement.

How do you verify buyers?

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Anyone can enquire on a listing — no registration required. We encourage sellers to ask qualifying questions before sharing detailed financials, and to take their time deciding who to engage with.

What support do you offer during the sale?

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We're here to help where we can. For more complex needs — valuations, legal advice, or broker support — we can refer you to specialists who handle retirement business transactions regularly.

Pricing & Fees

What does it cost to list?

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We have three plans:

  • Starter — Free for 3 months
  • Standard — $299+GST for 6 months
  • Premium — $549+GST until sold

The first 50 businesses listed get 12 months free. See our pricing page for full details.

Do you charge a commission on the sale?

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No. Our revenue comes from listing fees, not success fees. There's no conflict of interest — we're not pushing you to take a lower offer just to close a deal.

Is it really free for buyers?

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Yes, 100% free for buyers. Browse, register, and enquire at no cost.

What payment methods do you accept?

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We accept all major credit and debit cards via Stripe. All payments are processed securely. GST invoices are issued automatically.

Still have questions?

We're real people and happy to help. Reach out any time.

Contact Us