Brisbane 2032: A Turning Point for Australian Business
The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games represent the most significant economic transformation in Queensland’s history. The $7.1 billion joint infrastructure spend excluding additional transport and housing commitments marks the starting point of an investment wave set to reshape the state’s economic and urban landscape.
Moreover, investment opportunities are likely to extend to over $92 billion, in projects spanning transport, energy, housing and healthcare, planned over the next five years, according to the Queensland Major Projects Pipeline Report; much of which is accelerated by Olympic-related timelines.
For business owners, investors, and capital providers, the message is clear: the next decade is a window of accelerated opportunity. The question is not whether to engage, but how, and when.
The Sell-Side Opportunity: Why Timing Matters
A confluence of market forces may present an ideal time to exit or restructure your business.
High demand for skilled labour and operational capacity: Estimates suggest Queensland will need an additional 30,000 to 40,000 workers annually through to 2032. Strategic buyers are actively acquiring businesses not just for market share, but for their licenses, experienced workforce, contracts, and supply chains.
This trend is fuelling what’s known as “acquihiring”—acquiring businesses not just for their assets or market share, but for their skilled talent. While mergers and acquisitions have long been driven by traditional synergies like economies of scale and diversification, the tight labour market has added a new layer of strategic value.
Olympic timelines: Major construction and delivery activity will peak from 2026 to 2029. Investors want businesses that are fully operational before then.
Rising investor interest: Both domestic and overseas buyers are looking to enter the Queensland market quickly and securely, where acquisition might be the most efficient way in.
Business fatigue and opportunity costs: Owners navigating inflation, workforce shortages, or personal succession may find more value in a well-structured exit than in staying the course.
If your business is part of the infrastructure, construction, property, logistics, or services ecosystem, you may already be on a buyer’s radar.
How to prepare: Your path to a high-value exit
Getting sale-ready takes time, but with the right approach, you can enhance both valuation and attractiveness. Critical considerations are:
- Start early: It often takes 12–24 months to prepare, market, and complete a transaction.
- Get a clear valuation: Engage a reputable advisor to understand your market value including intangibles like IP, teams, and customer retention.
- Tidy up your operations: Resolve disputes, clean up financials, and document key systems.
- Define your goals: Whether it’s a full sale, partial exit, or strategic merger, clarity helps structure the right deal.
- Choose the right advisors: A trusted advisor can guide you through every stage and provide you with all the resources you need from due diligence to deal negotiation.
Selling in a seller’s market
With strong investor appetite and limited supply of high-quality acquisition targets, business owners are in a position of strength if they prepare properly.
Although Brisbane is the epicentre, Olympic-driven activity is statewide. Private equity and institutional capital are watching closely, and not just in Queensland.
The Olympics is not the end point; it is an inflection point. Investors are planning to be operational well before 2032.
Positioning for exit: Helping You Exit Well
For business owners considering a sale, merger, or partial exit, early preparation is key. Institutional investors and strategic buyers are actively evaluating acquisition targets now to ensure they’re fully operational by the time Olympic activity peaks.
At Moore Australia, we work with business owners across sectors to assess readiness, unlock hidden value, and connect with strategic buyers both locally and globally, leveraging the Moore network which is the 12th largest professional services network in the world and operates across more than 110 countries.
If you’re considering a sale or restructure in the next three to five years, now is the time to talk. We’ll help you make the most of this once-in-a-generation moment.
