The Deal Desk: Australian business sale and M&A news for business owners, published every weekday. Friday 23 October 2026.
Today’s business sale news Australia round-up starts in Perth, where a global technology group is buying a home-grown SAP consultancy. We also cover a $34 million aged care sale north of Melbourne, a rumoured $40 million Toowoomba pub sale and new ID checks for sellers.
Today’s top business sale and M&A stories
Cognizant to buy Perth SAP consultancy DyFlex Solutions in a private equity exit (WA)
Global technology services group Cognizant has agreed to buy DyFlex Solutions, a Perth-headquartered SAP specialist with about 300 consultants and offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Founded in 2011, DyFlex took on private equity investment from Five V and bought east-coast SAP partner BlueTree before this sale. The price wasn’t disclosed and completion is expected in the first quarter of 2027 (Consultancy.com.au, 22 October 2026).
Why it matters: specialist IT firms with certified staff and repeat clients attract global buyers. A growth partner and a bolt-on purchase can turn a founder-led WA firm into a national platform.
Not-for-profit buys a never-occupied 89-bed Wallan aged care home for $34 million (VIC)
For Purpose Aged Care Australia paid $34 million for Wallan Community Aged Care, an 89-bed home about 45km north of Melbourne’s CBD. The home was built about seven years ago but never opened. The buyer, which has about 2,150 beds, took ownership in September (Real Estate Source, 22 October 2026). That works out at about $382,000 a bed (derived).
Why it matters: aged care buyers price beds and staffing, not just bricks. Victorian care, health and NDIS owners should have workforce and compliance records ready so a buyer can start trading quickly.
Update: Toowoomba’s Southern Hotel price rumoured at about $40 million (QLD)
The price of MenCarthy’s purchase of the Southern Hotel from the Bowly family, owners since 1986, wasn’t disclosed at first. Pubtic now reports a rumoured price of around $40 million, which would make it Queensland’s largest regional freehold going-concern pub sale. The new owners say the 9,584 sqm site could take 40 to 50 accommodation rooms (Pubtic, 21 October 2026). The price hasn’t been confirmed.
Why it matters: buyers pay for spare land and room to grow. If your hospitality site has development potential, show it in your sale material.
PEP and Mirvac-backed Serenitas buys a Bellarine Peninsula land lease village (VIC)
Land lease operator Serenitas, owned by Mirvac, Pacific Equity Partners and Tasman Capital Partners, has bought Portarlington Lifestyle Village, with 107 occupied homes and 36 development sites. It is its first purchase of an operating community since May 2024; the price wasn’t disclosed (The Weekly Source, 22 October 2026).
Why it matters: private equity-backed groups are buying established operators with spare land, giving regional Victorian seniors living and holiday park owners a deep pool of buyers.
Macquarie-linked fresh produce group seeks ACCC clearance for Carnarvon grape farms (WA)
Fruitico Farms, part of Fresh Produce Group in which funds managed by Macquarie Asset Management have an interest, notified the ACCC on 20 October of a two-year lease and option to buy Terra Farm and Sunsweet Farm at Carnarvon from Bumbak & Sons. The adjoining 32-hectare and 35-hectare farms grow table grapes and mangoes. Phase 1 ends on 1 December, and no price was disclosed (ACCC acquisitions register, 20 October 2026).
Why it matters: a lease with an option to buy lets a buyer prove the farm before paying in full. Agree the option price and water rights up front.
Accountants now need your ID before helping you sell your business (National)
Since 1 July 2026, accountants who help buy, sell or transfer a business, company or trust are covered by the AML/CTF rules. They must verify your identity, your companies’ and trusts’ beneficial owners and, in higher-risk cases, your source of funds before starting work. AUSTRAC infringement notices are $21,840 for companies, and COSBOA says some small practices are reconsidering these services (SmartCompany, 20 October 2026).
Why it matters: collect your ID, trust deeds and company registers now, so missing documents don’t delay your sale.
What today’s news means for business owners
- Specialists attract global buyers. A Perth IT consultancy has drawn a global buyer. Founder-led firms in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane can do the same with a team that doesn’t depend on the owner.
- Show buyers the growth. From Toowoomba to the Bellarine Peninsula, buyers are paying for spare land and expansion potential.
- Get your paperwork ready early. The AML/CTF checks apply to owners in Victoria, South Australia, NSW and every other state.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my accountant need ID before helping me sell my business?
Since 1 July 2026, the AML/CTF rules cover accountants who help buy, sell or transfer a business, company or trust. They must verify your identity and the beneficial owners of your companies and trusts, and in higher-risk cases where the money comes from, before they start work.
How much is an aged care home worth per bed in Victoria?
It depends on location, building age, occupancy and staffing. A new 89-bed home at Wallan, north of Melbourne, sold for $34 million in October 2026, about $382,000 a bed. An operating home is also valued on its earnings.
Thinking about selling or valuing your business?
I’m Shweta Sharma, a business broker, M&A adviser and Registered Business Valuer with Accelerate Business Sales, working with owners in South Australia, Victoria and across Australia. Book a business valuation, find out how we sell businesses or read more business sales and M&A news.
General information only, not financial, legal or tax advice. Figures are as reported by the sources linked.
