Business Valuation Reference
What Is My Business Worth?
Profit Multiples by Sector
Every business owner wants to know the number. This reference covers 16 sectors across industrial, B2B, health, and hospitality — with the actual multiple ranges buyers pay, what drives the price up, and what kills the deal. Focused on Sydney and NSW, with particular depth in Greater Western Sydney's major industrial precincts.
Multiples reflect Australian market conditions as at 2025–26. Always obtain a formal appraisal from a licensed broker or valuer before making decisions.
The Formula
Adjusted Profit × Multiple = Enterprise Value. The multiple is set by the market — recent comparable sales in your sector. The profit figure is adjusted to remove one-off items and owner-specific costs.
EBITDA vs SDE
EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation & Amortisation) is used for larger businesses with management teams. SDE (Seller's Discretionary Earnings) adds back the owner's salary and is used for owner-operated businesses.
What Moves the Multiple
The multiple is not fixed — it reflects risk. Recurring revenue, low owner dependency, diversified customers, and transferable systems all push the multiple up. The opposite pushes it down.
Instant Estimate
What Is Your Business Worth?
Select your sector, enter your annual profit, and answer 5 quick questions about your business quality. The calculator adjusts the multiple within your sector's market range and gives you an instant indicative value.
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Business Valuation Calculator
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Sydney Industrial Precincts — Where We Operate
Eastern Creek
Largest logistics estate
Erskine Park
M4/M7 distribution hub
Wetherill Park
Major industrial estate
Smithfield
Manufacturing & engineering
Chullora
Rail freight & distribution
Silverwater
Central distribution
Lidcombe
Manufacturing & trade
Moorebank
Intermodal precinct
Mascot
Air freight & logistics
Botany
Port freight precinct
Banksmeadow
Heavy industrial
Ingleburn
South-west manufacturing
Macquarie Park
Tech & pharma
Alexandria
Inner-south trade hub
Logistics & 3PL
Contract-based revenue and fleet ownership drive the upper range. Owner-operated single-truck operations sit at the low end.
Transport & Freight
Road freight businesses with subcontractor networks trade lower than asset-heavy operators with owned fleets and contracted lanes.
Manufacturing
Proprietary product manufacturers trade at a premium over contract/job-shop manufacturers. Equipment condition and lease terms are critical.
Warehousing & Storage
Long-term storage contracts and high occupancy rates drive value. Businesses with owned property command a separate real estate premium.
Wholesale & Import/Distribution
Exclusive distribution agreements and proprietary brands command the upper range. Pure resellers without IP trade at the low end.
Engineering & Industrial Services
Businesses with recurring maintenance contracts and certified staff trade at a premium. Project-only businesses are harder to value.
Construction
Construction businesses are among the hardest to sell due to project-based revenue and owner dependency. Subcontractor networks and forward order books improve value.
Allied Health (Multi-Site)
Multi-site groups with employed practitioners and documented referral networks command the upper range. Single-practitioner practices are valued differently.
Dental Practice
Practices with associate dentists and strong recall systems trade well. Owner-operator single-chair practices are valued on SDE.
Childcare / Early Education
Valuation is driven by approved places, occupancy rate, and CCS subsidy stability — not just earnings. Licence capacity is the primary asset.
Professional Services (Accounting/Legal/Consulting)
Recurring fee-based revenue and client retention rates drive value. Businesses where clients are loyal to the firm (not the owner) command the upper range.
IT & Technology Services
Managed services providers (MSPs) with recurring monthly revenue trade at a significant premium over project-based IT businesses.
Café / Coffee Shop
Cafés are valued on Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE), not EBITDA. Rent as a percentage of revenue is the most critical factor — above 15% kills buyer interest.
Restaurant
Full-service restaurants are harder to sell than cafés. Liquor licence, kitchen condition, and lease terms dominate buyer decisions.
Retail (Non-Food)
Retail businesses face structural headwinds from e-commerce. Niche or specialist retailers with loyal customer bases trade better than general merchandise.
Franchise (Resale)
Franchise resales are constrained by franchisor approval requirements and territory value. The franchisor's brand strength is the primary value driver.
Important Notes
These Are Ranges, Not Guarantees
The multiples on this page reflect observed Australian market transactions as at 2025–26. They are indicative ranges only. Your actual business value depends on your specific financials, lease terms, customer concentration, staff structure, and dozens of other factors a buyer will assess during due diligence.
A business at the low end of its sector range is not a bad business — it may simply have characteristics that buyers price as risk. A good broker will identify those factors and either address them before going to market or price the business appropriately to attract the right buyer quickly.
Before making any decisions about selling, obtain a formal appraisal from a licensed business broker or registered business valuer. This reference is educational only.