hi johnathan

i agree with you, there are no specific surveys that i know of. There is the ABS survey of different sized business which indicates there are about 82,000 medium sized business in australia, and that medium sized business are reducing by about 4% each year but this also includes those that close, those that downsize or those that become large.

I'm sure the bigger organisations do their own type of surveys , if you hear of any let me know

regards

ingrid

Hi Jonathon,  I am not sure have you rang the ABS?  In my experience they are very helpful and many stats that don't appear on their website are available if you are prepared to pay a small fee for them.  With small business contributing significantly to the Australian GDP it would be surprising if they didn't have it somewhere.

I also want to add an initial thought that popped up when I read your question.

It is this - "how many business are sold in Australia each year for what the business owner felt was a fair price"

Too often I see business owners slugging away focused on revenue when really their focus should be asset value.  It is sad that over the last 15 years or so I have seen many (that's right MANY) business owners walk away from their business because there was no buyer.  

They had either set up the business to rely on them and so when it came time to retire they had no business to sell. Or, the business had no assets such as a customer database, documented marketing campaigns, successful sales funnels, robust financial systems etc.    It should be noted too - these businesses are not included in the ABS business stats on business 'failure'.

Succession planning and asset building is essential.

Hi Johnathan,

I did a little checking and came up with a June 2014 report prepared for the Australian Institute of Business Brokers (AABB) which could provide the info you are looking for. I cannot attach the file here but if you email me - neils@ (wardourcapital.com - added as the site blocks email addresses!) I will forward a copy of the report to you.

A good site for statistics on various industries is bizstats (.com.au)they have a good selection of free data and a wide range of specific industry data available at low cost.

I hope this helps, let me know how you go,

Cheers,

Neil.