Selling with Benchmark

Sell your business

Start a confidential sale with a specialist broker.

Why use a broker

What a broker adds to your price and your timeline.

Selling a business guide

What changes by state, tax and deal terms.

Specialist divisions

Brokers who already know your industry.

Value and evidence

Business valuations

Understand what your business is worth.

Business appraisal

A broker-prepared market appraisal of your business.

Pre-sale health check

Fix what buyers discount before you go to market.

Exit planning

Prepare years ahead for a stronger result.

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Recent sales

Businesses we have sold, by industry and state.

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What is my business worth?

Free estimate in two minutes, no obligation.

Sale proceeds calculator

Estimate what you keep after fees and costs.

Thinking of selling?
Talk it through with a specialist broker, confidentially and with no obligation.
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Buying with Benchmark

Buy a business

How buying works, from enquiry to settlement.

How to buy a business

The buyer process, from search to settlement.

Buyer's agency

We search off market on your behalf.

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Every business currently for sale.

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Browse through our specialist divisions.

Due diligence checklist

What to ask for and check before you commit.

Acquisition cost calculator

The full cash you need beyond the asking price.

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All businesses for sale

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Tell us what business you are after and we’ll find one with the right fit.

Buying a business guide

A free guide for buyers who are still deciding.

Not sure where to start?
A broker can shortlist businesses that suit your budget, skills and location.
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Valuations

Business valuations

Independent, evidence based valuation reports.

Business appraisals

A broker-prepared market appraisal of your business.

Appraisal or valuation?

Which one you need, and what each is used for.

Talk to a specialist

Specialist divisions

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Confidential, no obligation discussion.

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All valuation locations

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Valuation guide

A free guide to how businesses are valued.

Valuing for sale, finance, a partnership change or family law?
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About Benchmark

About us

Find out what makes us Australia's favourite business brokers

Our team

Meet the brokers and the support team.

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50+ brokers across specialist industries.

Resources

Meaning Business Podcast

The #1 podcast for serious buyers, sellers, and anyone growing a business in Australia.

Business glossary

Plain-English definitions of business sale terms.

Stamp Duty calculators

Comprehensive guide on Stamp Duty in Australia

Our other services

Business advisory

Advice for owners preparing a business for sale.

Benchmark Valuations

Our dedicated valuations practice.

Upside Business Sales

Self-service selling platform.

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Sales and leasing alongside your business sale.

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Resources & guides

Practical reading for owners and buyers.

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Business sale proceeds calculator

How much will you walk away with?

The sale price isn’t what lands in your account. See what’s left after broker fees, legal and accounting costs, debts and other sale expenses, with an optional after-tax scenario.

  • Takes around 3 minutes
  • Asset or share sale, paid upfront or over time
  • Optional illustrative tax scenario
  • Free planning worksheet with your results
How it works

Your proceeds in three steps

Start with the price you expect. If you’re not sure what that is, a broker appraisal or our appraisal calculator will give you a starting figure.

  1. Enter your sale

    Add your expected price and stock, then choose the sale structure, who owns the business and how you'll be paid.

  2. Add costs and debts

    We fill in typical selling costs for a sale this size. Add the loans and finance you'll pay out at settlement.

  3. See what you keep

    Your proceeds before tax appear straight away. Add your own tax assumptions for an illustrative after-tax figure.

About your sale

Start with the price you expect and how the deal is likely to be set up.

Excluding stock. Not sure? Try our appraisal calculator.
Please enter an estimated sale price.
Usually counted and paid for on top of the price at settlement.
Sale structure
Who owns the business?
How you'll be paid

Costs and debts

We've filled in typical selling costs for a sale this size. Change any you have a quote for.

Of the sale price, excluding GST.
Enter a rate between 0% and 20%.
Any campaign costs not included in the commission.
Contract, lease assignment and settlement.
Preparing financials, CGT and structure advice.
Landlord's costs, licence transfers, make-good or repairs.
Leave paid out to staff or credited to the buyer.

Debts cleared at settlement

Lenders and financiers are usually paid out from the sale proceeds.

ATO, suppliers, credit cards.
Check your loan and lease agreements.

Tax scenario (optional)

Add your own tax assumptions to see an illustrative after-tax figure. It's indicative only, so check the real numbers with your accountant.

What you paid for the business, plus the costs of buying it. Enter 0 if you started it yourself.
Assumptions to apply
Enter a rate between 0% and 60%.

Your estimated sale proceeds

Estimated proceeds before tax
$0

What's left after selling costs and debts are paid, before any tax.

Costs and debts $0
At settlement $0

    From sale price to proceeds

    Everything that comes out of the price before the money reaches you.

      Free download

      Business Sale Financial Planning Worksheet

      A practical workbook you can fill in on screen or print, to help you plan your exit with confidence.

      • Assess your estimated proceeds
      • Compare sale scenarios side by side
      • Prepare for a conversation with a broker or adviser
      Download the free worksheet

      How we worked this out

        Want a firmer number to plan around?

        A confidential, no-obligation appraisal from a Benchmark broker gives you a market-based price, so your proceeds estimate starts from the right figure.

        Request an appraisal Talk to a business broker

        This is an indicative estimate only, based on the figures and assumptions you entered. It is not financial, legal or tax advice. Your actual proceeds and tax depend on the final contract, your structure, your eligibility for concessions and your other income. Speak to your accountant or tax adviser for advice about your situation.

        From price to proceeds

        What comes out of the sale price

        Three things stand between your sale price and the money you keep. Some you can reduce with planning, and some you can only prepare for.

        Selling costs

        Paid at or before settlement

        Broker commission, marketing, legal fees and accounting advice. Commission is usually a percentage of the price, so for most owners it’s the largest selling cost.

        IncludesCommission, marketing, legal, accounting and lease costs

        Debts and entitlements

        Cleared from the proceeds

        Business loans, overdrafts and equipment finance are normally paid out at settlement, along with any break fees. Staff leave may be paid out or credited to the buyer.

        IncludesLoans, finance, ATO and supplier debts, staff leave

        Tax

        Depends on your structure

        Capital gains tax depends on who owns the business, how long you’ve owned it and whether you qualify for the small business concessions. The calculator lets you test your own assumptions.

        Talk toYour accountant, ideally before you list

        Paid over time? With an earn-out or vendor finance, part of the price is paid after settlement. The calculator shows what you receive at settlement separately, because your debts usually need to be paid out from that amount.

        Before you sell

        Ways to keep more of your sale price

        The best time to improve your proceeds is 12 to 24 months before you sell. Changes to your records, debts and structure can make a real difference to what you walk away with.

        Clean financials

        Up-to-date accounts that reconcile support a stronger price and a faster due diligence, with fewer price adjustments late in the deal.

        Debt you can clear

        Know your payout figures early. Paying down finance before the sale means less comes out of the proceeds at settlement.

        The right structure

        An asset or share sale changes what you sell, who takes on liabilities and how the gain is taxed. Decide with your adviser before you list.

        Tax planning

        The small business CGT concessions can reduce tax substantially, but the tests are strict. Ask your accountant to check your eligibility early.

        Less reliance on you

        A business that runs without you is worth more to a buyer, and less of the price is likely to depend on an earn-out or long handover.

        Deal terms

        Earn-outs and vendor finance can lift the headline price, but part of it is paid later. Weigh that risk against a cleaner deal.

        Your next step

        Start with the right sale price

        Your proceeds are only as reliable as the price you start with. A Benchmark broker can tell you what your business is likely to sell for, and why, so you can plan your exit around real numbers.

        Free download

        Business Sale Financial Planning Worksheet

        • Record your estimate and assumptions
        • Compare three sale scenarios side by side
        • Check costs, tax questions and documents
        • Fill it in on screen or print it
        Download the worksheet
        Benchmark broker appraisal

        A price you can take to market

        • Prepared by a broker who specialises in your industry
        • Your financials reviewed and adjusted line by line
        • Accounts for your assets, customers, lease and systems
        • Reflects current buyer demand and comparable sales
        • Advice on timing and what to improve before you sell
        Request an appraisal

        Confidential and no obligation. Or call 1300 366 521

        Business resources

        Practical tools and guides for every stage of your business journey

        Free guides, checklists and calculators to help you make informed decisions, whether you’re selling, buying or valuing a business.

        Selling a business

        Maximise your value with the right preparation

        From getting sale ready to settlement, these resources help you understand the process, protect your value and plan your exit.

        Explore selling resources

        Speak confidentially with a broker

        Free ebook

        Selling a Business Guide

        Our step-by-step guide to preparing, marketing and selling your business.

        Download guide
        Guide

        How to Sell a Business in Australia

        Each stage of the sale process, from preparation through to settlement.

        Read guide
        Calculator

        Sale Proceeds Calculator

        Estimate what you could walk away with after fees, costs and debts.

        Use calculator
        Free ebook

        Exit Planning Guide

        Plan your exit early to protect value and choose the right timing.

        Download guide
        Checklist

        Pre-Sale Business Health Check

        See whether your business is ready to sell and what to fix first.

        View checklist
        Guide

        Asset Sale vs Share Sale

        How each sale structure affects tax, liability and what the buyer takes on.

        Read guide
        Buying a business

        Find the right business with confidence

        Understand the market, know the true cost of buying and ask the right questions before you make an offer.

        Explore buying resources

        Browse businesses for sale

        Free ebook

        Buying a Business Guide

        Key steps and expert tips, from searching through to settlement.

        Download guide
        Guide

        How to Buy a Business in Australia

        A clear walkthrough of finding, assessing and buying the right business.

        Read guide
        Calculator

        Business Acquisition Cost Calculator

        Work out the total cash you need beyond the advertised price.

        Use calculator
        Checklist

        Due Diligence Checklist

        Make sure you’re asking the right questions before you commit.

        View checklist
        Guide

        Stamp Duty on a Business Purchase

        How duty applies when you buy a business in each Australian state.

        Read guide
        Glossary

        Business Terms A to Z

        Plain-English definitions of the terms you’ll see in listings and contracts.

        Read glossary
        Valuing a business

        Know what your business is really worth

        Get a clearer picture of value, the methods brokers use and when you need a formal valuation rather than an appraisal.

        Explore valuation services

        Book a market appraisal

        Free ebook

        Business Valuation Guide

        Answers to the questions owners ask most about valuing a business.

        Download guide
        Guide

        How to Value a Business

        The key factors and methods behind an Australian business valuation.

        Read guide
        Calculator

        Business Appraisal Calculator

        Get an indicative price range for your business in a few minutes.

        Use calculator
        Guide

        Valuation vs Appraisal

        Which one you need, when, and how they differ in detail and cost.

        Read guide
        Guide

        EBITDA Valuation Method

        How earnings multiples work and when brokers use them.

        Read guide
        Guide

        Net Profit Valuation Method

        Valuing a small business on its adjusted net profit, step by step.

        Read guide
        FAQs

        Questions about your sale proceeds

        What comes out of the sale price, how tax works and what the calculator can and can’t tell you.

        Your proceeds are the sale price plus stock, less selling costs, debts paid out at settlement and any employee entitlements. Tax then comes out of what’s left. The calculator walks through each step so you can see how a headline price becomes the amount you keep.

        The main costs are broker commission, legal fees and accounting advice, plus any marketing, landlord or licence transfer costs. Commission is usually a percentage of the sale price, so total costs vary with the size of the sale. Ask for each fee in writing before you sign.

        Usually, on any capital gain, but how much depends on your structure, how long you’ve owned the business and whether you qualify for concessions. Individuals and trusts may get the 50% CGT discount, and small business owners may qualify for further concessions. Ask your accountant about your situation.

        There are four: the 15-year exemption, the 50% active asset reduction, the retirement exemption and the rollover. Each has eligibility tests, such as turnover or net asset limits and how long you’ve owned the asset. Some can be combined, so get advice before you sell.

        Generally, yes. Lenders and financiers with security over the business usually need to be paid out at settlement so the assets transfer free of their interest, and your solicitor arranges this from the proceeds. In a share sale, debts owed by the company are usually cleared or adjusted in the price.

        In an asset sale, the business’s goodwill, equipment and other assets are sold and you keep the company or other entity. In a share sale, the buyer takes over the company itself, including its history and liabilities. The structure affects tax, risk and what’s included.

        It’s an illustration only, based on the tax assumptions you enter. It doesn’t know your other income, whether you qualify for concessions or how the proceeds will be paid out of a company or trust. Use it to start the conversation with your accountant, not to make decisions.

        A free workbook you can fill in on screen or print. Use it to record your estimate, check your costs and tax questions, compare three sale scenarios and list the documents buyers will ask for. Download it from your calculator results or the link on this page.

        Thinking about selling?

        Get a price you can plan around

        Talk to a specialist broker about what your business could sell for and the best time to go to market. Confidential and no obligation.

        Request an appraisal
        Try the calculator