Selling a business in Queensland yourself: what's different in QLD.
You can sell your own business in Queensland without a broker or a licence. Three things work differently in Queensland. The buyer usually pays transfer duty on the business assets, including goodwill. Your lease disclosure statement is due at least 7 days before the buyer signs the contract. And a food business licence can't be transferred: the buyer applies for their own before they start trading.
This guide covers only what's different in Queensland. For the full process, from pricing and paperwork to finding buyers and settlement, see How to sell your business yourself.
Transfer duty on the business
Unlike NSW, Queensland charges transfer duty when business assets change hands. According to the Queensland Revenue Office, dutiable business assets include goodwill, business names, statutory licences, intellectual property, and plant, equipment and stock located in Queensland. Goodwill can be dutiable even if the contract doesn't mention it.
The buyer normally pays the duty, but it still matters to you. Buyers factor it into what they're prepared to pay, so expect them to ask how the price is split between goodwill, equipment and stock. Agree the split with your solicitor and accountant, because it also affects your tax.
Transferring your retail shop lease
In Queensland the order matters. Business Queensland covers retail shop leases, and the key steps are:
- Give the buyer your assignor's disclosure statement and a copy of the lease first. This must happen at least 7 days before the earlier of the day the buyer signs the contract for the business, or the day you ask the landlord to consent. In practice, that means before the contract, not at settlement.
- Ask the landlord for consent, and give them a copy of the disclosure statement on the same day. The landlord can't unreasonably refuse, and under the Property Law Act 2023 must give a decision within one month of receiving all the details they need, unless you both agree to more time. A dispute about it goes to mediation, and then to the tribunal (QCAT) if needed.
- That releases you. If you gave the disclosure statement on time and it wasn't defective, you and your guarantors are released from liability for the buyer's defaults after the lease is assigned.
Get the disclosure statement ready while you're still finding a buyer. If it's late or wrong, you can lose the release and stay on the hook for the buyer's rent. The official forms are on the Queensland Small Business website.
Liquor licences
If the business holds a liquor licence, the buyer applies to the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation to transfer it. The buyer can't sell or supply alcohol until the transfer is approved, or until they're granted an interim authority to keep trading while it's processed. Build that into the settlement date, and make settlement conditional on the transfer or the interim authority. More in our restaurant guide.
Food businesses
- The food business licence doesn't transfer. Most food businesses are licensed by the local council, and the licence can't be passed to a new owner. The buyer must apply for their own licence and have it approved before they start trading, so they should apply as soon as the contract is signed.
- Food Safety Supervisor. Licensable food businesses must have a food safety supervisor, and the buyer must give the council their supervisor's details within 30 days of the licence being granted.
- Council approvals. Check that the approved use of the premises, seating and trading hours match how you actually trade. A buyer will price the business on what's approved.
If the property is part of the sale
Since 1 August 2025, Queensland sellers of land must give the buyer a seller disclosure statement before the buyer signs. That applies to the property, not to a business sold on its own. If you're selling the freehold with the business, your solicitor will prepare it.
Using an agent instead
If you'd rather use an agent to sell your business in Queensland, check their licence on the Queensland Office of Fair Trading's public register before you sign an agency agreement.
A worked example: a Queensland café sale, step by step
An illustrative timeline, not advice. Every sale runs to its own pace.
A licensed café in Brisbane's northern suburbs is on a retail shop lease with five years left. The owner sells it privately.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Before listing | Get the price right (appraisal, add-backs and comparable Queensland cafés for sale), gather the accounts, lease and equipment list, prepare a buyer profile, and fill in the assignor's disclosure statement. |
| Weeks 1–6 | Advertise without naming the café. Buyers sign a confidentiality agreement before they get the profile, then inspect. |
| Week 6 | Terms agreed with a buyer. The owner gives the buyer the assignor's disclosure statement and a copy of the lease straight away. |
| Week 7 | At least 7 days later, the contract is signed and the deposit paid. The owner asks the landlord for consent and gives them a copy of the disclosure statement the same day. The buyer applies for a food business licence and for the liquor licence transfer, with an interim authority. |
| By week 11 | The landlord consents (within one month of having all the details). The council approves the buyer's food licence. |
| Week 12 | Settlement: stock count, keys, lease assigned and the owner released from it, then the agreed handover. The buyer lodges the transfer duty and gives the council their food safety supervisor's details within 30 days. |
GST (usually GST-free as a going concern), capital gains tax and staff entitlements work the same way as in other states. See steps 9 and 10 of How to sell your business yourself, and talk to your accountant. For the price itself, see What is my business worth? Selling in another state? See the guides for NSW, WA, SA, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT.
Selling your business in Queensland?
Start with the price. Upload your P&L, and add your lease and roster if you have them. AUS Brokers works out your maintainable earnings with the add-backs explained, applies the multiple range for your type and size of business, and checks comparable businesses currently for sale in Queensland. You can add a buyer-ready profile, with photos, to send to buyers yourself.
An indicative appraisal only. AUS Brokers doesn't provide valuations, and doesn't act for buyers or sellers.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to sell my own business in Queensland?
No. You can sell your own business without a licence. If you use an agent, check their licence with the Queensland Office of Fair Trading.
Is there stamp duty when a business is sold in Queensland?
Yes. Queensland charges transfer duty on business assets, including goodwill, business names, licences, intellectual property, and plant, equipment and stock in Queensland. The buyer normally pays it, but buyers factor it into their price.
How long does my landlord have to decide on transferring my lease in Queensland?
One month from receiving all the details they need (unless you both agree to more time), under the Property Law Act 2023, and they can't unreasonably refuse. A dispute about a retail shop lease goes to mediation, and then to QCAT if needed.
Can I be released from my lease when I sell my business in Queensland?
Yes, for a retail shop lease, if you gave the buyer your assignor's disclosure statement and a copy of the lease at least 7 days before they signed the contract (or before you asked the landlord for consent, if that was earlier), and the statement wasn't defective. You and your guarantors are then released from liability for the buyer's defaults after the assignment.
Can the buyer take over my food business licence in Queensland?
No. Food business licences can't be transferred. The buyer applies to the council for their own licence and must have it approved before they start trading.
General information only, not legal, financial or tax advice. Check your own situation with a solicitor and accountant. The worked example is illustrative.