Buying a Business in Australia
Many South Africans and Zimbabweans see buying or starting a small business as a means to get into Australia, and that is a fair way to go about things. However, many prospective migrants have assumed what they would consider ‘calculated risks’ by buying Australian businesses virtually ‘over the telephone’ in the hope that they will secure a healthy and predictable future in Australia.
Whilst it is hard to believe that some people would risk their life savings by purchasing a business this way there are special circumstances that drive some to such extraordinary steps. We strongly recommend against hasty decisions which one may regret later-on. Please have a look at this link for real life interviews with business people who have settled in Australia.
There seems to be a perception amongst some South African businessmen and –women that there exists a real option to start a new business in Australia and thus find residence that way. Whilst, technically speaking, this is true, it is a very tough thing to do and only very few migrants succeed in doing that. We know one such a person who does work for the United Nations out of Australia.
South African business people, as a rule, over estimate their ability to successfully manage a business in Australia. Apart from different legal precedents, compliance requirements, customer needs and labour laws many have found the difference in culture between the two countries to be more pronounced than what is expected, and so many managers find it hard to accommodate a new style of communication, terminology used and general demeanor within the commercial context.
Business sales
On our Links page you will find a number of links to business brokers in Australia. From time-to-time we are also asked to list businesses here. Although we have no objections in doing so we wish to point out that we do not facilitate business sales. We do not answer questions nor give advice or documentation about the businesses listed here from time-to-time. We will direct you to a Business Broker whom you may choose to make contact with them.
Last update: April 2011