The Deal Desk: Australian business sale and M&A news for business owners, published every weekday. Monday 26 October 2026.
Today’s M&A news Australia round-up starts in Tasmania, where a founder has sold his freight business and is retiring. We also cover Nido’s first purchase of established childcare centres, an outback Queensland pub sale, an Adelaide fund’s NSW retirement village buy and a fresh sign that SME borrowers are getting cautious.
Today’s top business sale and M&A stories
Strait Link buys Tasmanian freight business Monson Logistics as its founder retires (TAS)
Bass Strait shipping and transport group Strait Link has bought Monson Logistics from founder and owner Bruce Monson, with the aim of keeping Monson’s operations and workforce in place (Daily Cargo News, 19 October 2026). The business has about 100 employees, 65 heavy trucks and four depots in Burnie, Bell Bay, Hobart and Melbourne (ABC News, 20 October 2026). The price wasn’t disclosed.
Why it matters: a trade buyer in the same supply chain is often the best home for a founder-built transport business. Buyers pay most when the team runs without the owner.
Update: Nido buys nine Edge Early Learning childcare centres and reveals its 4.5x EBIT price (National)
ASX-listed Nido Education will buy nine centres from administrators of Edge Early Learning, its first purchase of established centres. Goodstart Early Learning agreed earlier this month to take 31 Edge centres. Terms weren’t disclosed, but Nido says it buys its incubated centres at 4.5 times EBIT once they reach about 80% occupancy, and it notes children in centre-based day care fell 2.8% in the year to March 2026 (Business News Australia, 23 October 2026).
Why it matters: occupancy drives childcare value. A listed buyer has now put a number on a full, proven centre.
Outback Queensland’s rebuilt Muckadilla Hotel sells for $1.2 million (QLD)
The Muckadilla Hotel, about 40km west of Roma and known locally as the “Mucka Bup”, has sold for $1.2 million after being advertised at $1.5 million plus stock. The 8,675 sqm site has eight self-contained cabins, six powered caravan sites and an owner’s residence. Rebuilt after a 2019 fire, it was on and off the market for more than 18 months (Commercial Real Estate, 20 October 2026). The price is 20% below the advertised figure (derived).
Why it matters: regional pubs do sell, but the gap between asking and selling price can be large. Price realistically from the start and keep trading strong.
Adelaide fund ICAM buys a 99-unit Central Coast retirement village (NSW)
Adelaide fund manager ICAM has bought Waterford Retirement Village at Kincumber on the NSW Central Coast for its Diversified Seniors Living Fund. The 99-unit village was owned by a private company founded in 2001. It is the fund’s fifth village, after two in Adelaide and one at Kilmore in Victoria, taking its portfolio above $75 million. The price wasn’t disclosed (The Weekly Source, 21 October 2026).
Why it matters: South Australian capital is buying founder-owned seniors living assets interstate. Owners of smaller villages have a growing pool of fund buyers.
ACCC clears the NRL’s Novotel Sydney Airport purchase in 10 days (NSW)
The ACCC granted a notification waiver on 23 October for the Australian Rugby League Commission to buy the Novotel Sydney International Airport at Wolli Creek from Charter Hall funds. The deal covers the freehold, licences and hotel business assets, and was lodged on 13 October (ACCC acquisitions register, 23 October 2026).
Why it matters: where a buyer has no overlap, a waiver can be quick. Build the ACCC step into your timetable if your buyer is large.
SME lender Judo’s loan pipeline shrinks to $1.9 billion as owners turn cautious (National)
Judo Bank’s pipeline of applications and approved loans fell to $1.9 billion in September, from $2.4 billion at the end of May. It cited SME caution about rates, the economy and Budget changes. Loans 90+ days past due and impaired rose to 3.16%, up from 2.90% at 30 June (Business News Australia, 20 October 2026). That is a 21% fall in the pipeline (derived).
Why it matters: if your buyer needs bank finance, expect lenders to test your numbers hard. Clean accounts, and vendor finance where needed, keep deals moving.
Humpty Doo Hotel near Darwin offered with weekly sales above $200,000 (NT)
The Humpty Doo Hotel on the Arnhem Highway, about 30 minutes from Darwin, is being offered as a freehold and business together, with expressions of interest closing on 18 November. Owned by Rod Parry since 1987, it had about 50,000 visitors in the past year and weekly sales above $200,000 (Pubtic, 19 October 2026). That is roughly $10.4 million a year in sales (derived).
Why it matters: a long-held pub with strong trading figures and tourist traffic gives buyers a clear story. Have your records ready before you list.
What today’s news means for business owners
- Succession works best with a team in place. From Hobart to Melbourne, the Monson sale shows trade buyers will keep a founder’s brand and staff when the business runs without him.
- Know the numbers buyers use. Childcare owners in Queensland, South Australia and Victoria now have a public yardstick: 4.5x EBIT for proven, well-occupied centres.
- Price for the market you’re in. Pubs from Roma to Darwin are selling, but buyers and lenders are careful, so realistic pricing matters.
Frequently asked questions
What multiple do childcare centres sell for in Australia?
It depends on occupancy, location, fees and lease terms. In October 2026 Nido Education said it buys proven incubated centres at 4.5 times EBIT once they reach about 80% occupancy. Centres with low occupancy can struggle to find a buyer at all.
Can I sell my business and retire without the business changing?
Yes, if a buyer values the brand, staff and customers as they are. Tasmanian founder Bruce Monson sold Monson Logistics to Strait Link in October 2026, with the buyer aiming to keep its operations and workforce in place. Planning your handover early makes that outcome more likely.
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.
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General information only, not financial, legal or tax advice. Figures are as reported by the sources linked.
