Purchase of Business Agreement

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Purchase of Business Agreement

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PURCHASE OF BUSINESS AGREEMENT

THIS PURCHASE OF BUSINESS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made and entered into this ____ ________________ ________ (the "Execution Date"),

BETWEEN:


________________________ of _____________________________
(the "Seller")

OF THE FIRST PART

and


_________________________ of _____________________________
(the "Purchaser")

OF THE SECOND PART

BACKGROUND

  1. The Seller is a company which carries on the business of _________________________ at _____________________________.
  2. The Seller owns and desires to sell certain assets of its business (the “Assets”) to the Purchaser, subject to any exclusions set out in this Agreement and the Purchaser desires to buy the Assets.

IN CONSIDERATION of the provisions contained in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

  1. Definitions
  2. The following definitions apply in the Agreement:
    1. The "Assets" consist of the following:
      1. _______________________________________________________________.
    2. "Settlement" means the completion of the purchase and sale of the Assets as described in this Agreement by the payment of agreed consideration, and the transfer of title to the Assets; and
    3. "Parties" means both the Seller and the Purchaser and "Party" means any one of them.
  3. Sale
  4. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in reliance on the representations, warranties, and conditions set out in this Agreement, the Seller agrees to sell the Assets to the Purchaser and the Purchaser agrees to purchase the Assets from the Seller.
  5. Purchase Price
  6. The Parties agree that the Purchase Price for the Assets will be allocated among the Assets as follows, subject to required adjustments that are agreed upon by the Parties:

     
     

    Purchase Price

    $__________

     

  7. Settlement
  8. The Settlement of the purchase and sale of the Assets will take place on ____ ________________ ________ (the "Settlement Date") at the offices of the Seller or at such other time and place as the Parties mutually agree.
  9. At Settlement and upon the Purchaser paying the Purchase Price in full to the Seller, the Seller will deliver the Assets to the Purchaser. The Seller will deliver to the Purchaser possession of the Assets, in the same condition as on the Execution Date, and free and clear of any liens, charges, rights of third parties, or any other encumbrances, except those attached as a result of the Purchaser's actions.
  10. At Settlement and upon the Purchaser paying the Purchase Price in full to the Seller, the Seller will provide the Purchaser with duly executed forms and documents evidencing transfer of the Assets, where required including, but not limited to, bills of sale, assignments, assurances, and consents. The Seller will also co-operate with the Purchaser as needed in order to effect the required registration, recording, and filing with public authorities of the transfer of ownership of the Assets to the Purchaser.
  11. Payment
  12. The Purchase Price for the Assets will be paid by the Purchaser in one lump sum payment to the Seller in the form of a certified cheque, a bank draft or an electronic money or funds transfer. In the case of an electronic money or funds transfer, the Seller will give notice to the Purchaser of the bank account particulars at least 5 business days prior to the Settlement Date.
  13. The Purchaser is responsible for paying all applicable taxes, including federal sales tax, duties, and any other taxes or charges payable pursuant to the transfer of the Assets from the Seller to the Purchaser.
  14. Seller's Representations and Warranties
  15. The Seller represents and warrants to the Purchaser that:
    1. the Seller has full legal authority to enter into and exercise its obligations under this Agreement;
    2. the Seller is a company duly incorporated or continued, validly existing, and in good standing and has all requisite authority to carry on business as currently conducted;
    3. the corporate Seller, ________________________ has all necessary corporate power, authority and capacity to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, and this transaction, has been duly authorised by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Seller;
    4. the Seller is the absolute beneficial owner of the Assets, with good and marketable title, free and clear of any liens, charges, encumbrances or rights of others. The Seller is exclusively entitled to possess and dispose of the Assets;
    5. to the best knowledge of the officers of the Seller there is no pending or anticipated claim against the Assets or against the Seller's ownership or title in the Assets or against the Seller's right to dispose of the Assets;
    6. no third party contract is outstanding that could result in a claim against or affecting the Assets in whole or in part either now or in the future;
    7. the Seller does not have any outstanding contracts, agreements, or commitments of any kind, written or oral, with any third party regarding the Assets, except for any material contracts described in, and/or attached to this Agreement. The Seller represents and warrants that no material default or breach exists with regard to any presently outstanding material contract;
    8. execution of this Agreement will not hinder or unfairly disadvantage any pre-existing creditor;
    9. except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, there has been no act or omission by the Seller that would give rise to any valid claim relating to a brokerage commission, finder's fee or other similar payment;
    10. the Seller has withheld all amounts required to be withheld under income tax legislation and has paid all amounts owing to the proper authorities;
    11. the Seller is not bound by any written or oral pension plan or collective bargaining agreement or obligated to make any contributions under any retirement income plan, deferred profit sharing plan or similar plan;
    12. the Seller will not dismiss any current employees or hire any new employees, or substantially change the role or title of any existing employees, provide unscheduled or irregular increases in salary or benefits to employees, or institute any significant changes to the terms of any employee's employment, after signing this Agreement, unless the Purchaser provides written consent;
    13. there are no claims threatened or pending against the Seller by any current or past employee relating to any matter arising from or relating to the employment of the employee;
    14. the Assets, while owned by the Seller, have been maintained at all times in accordance with standard industry practice. The Seller further warrants that all tangible assets are in good working order;
    15. the Seller is operating in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations of the jurisdictions in which it is carried on. In compliance with such laws, the Seller has duly licensed, registered, or qualified the Seller with the appropriate authorities and agencies;
    16. the Seller maintains insurance policies on the Assets and such policies are in full force and effect and of an adequate value as would be reasonable in its industry. The Seller has neither defaulted under these insurance policies, whether as a result of failure to pay premiums or due to any other cause, nor has the Seller failed to give notice or make a claim under these insurance policies in a timely manner;
    17. to the best knowledge of the officers of the Seller, the conduct of the Seller does not infringe on the patents, trade marks, trading names, business names, or copyrights, whether domestic or foreign, of any other person, firm or company;
    18. the Seller owns or is licensed to use all necessary software and it can continue to use any and all computerised records, files and programs after the Settlement Date in the same manner as before the Settlement Date;
    19. the Seller has filed all tax reports and returns required in the operation of its business and has paid all taxes owed to all taxing authorities, including foreign taxing authorities, except amounts that are being properly contested by the Seller, the details of this contest having been provided to the Purchaser; and
    20. this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Seller and constitutes a legal and binding obligation of the Seller, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy and insolvency, by other laws affecting the rights of creditors generally, and by equitable remedies granted by a court of competent jurisdiction.
  16. The representations and warranties given in this Agreement are the only representations and warranties. No other representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, has been given by the Seller to the Purchaser, including, without limitation, any representations or warranties regarding the merchantability of the Assets or their fitness for a particular purpose.
  17. The Seller warrants to the Purchaser that each of the representations and warranties made by it is accurate and not misleading at the Settlement Date. The Seller acknowledges that the Purchaser is entering into this Agreement in reliance on each representation and warranty.
  18. The Seller's representations and warranties will survive the Settlement Date of this Agreement.
  19. Where the Purchaser has a claim against the Seller relating to one or more representations or warranties made by the Seller, the Seller will have no liability to the Purchaser unless the Purchaser provides notice in writing to the Seller containing full details of the claim on or before the third anniversary of the Settlement Date.
  20. Where the Purchaser has a claim against the Seller relating to one or more representations or warranties made by the Seller, and the Purchaser is entitled to recover damages from a third party then the amount of the claim against the Seller will be reduced by the recovered or recoverable amount less all reasonable costs incurred by the Purchaser in recovering the amount from the third party.
  21. Purchaser's Representations and Warranties
  22. The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Seller the following:
    1. the Purchaser has full legal authority to enter into and exercise its obligations under this Agreement;
    2. the Purchaser has funds available to pay the full Purchase Price and any expenses accumulated by the Purchaser in connection with this Agreement and the Purchaser has not incurred any obligation, commitment, restriction, or liability of any kind, absolute or contingent, present or future, which would adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement;
    3. the Purchaser has not committed any act or omission that would give rise to any valid claim relating to a brokerage commission, finder's fee, or other similar payment;
    4. this Agreement has been duly executed by the Purchaser and constitutes a legal and binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy and insolvency, by other laws affecting the rights of creditors generally, and by equitable remedies granted by a court of competent jurisdiction; and
    5. the Purchaser has no knowledge that any representation or warranty given by the Seller in this Agreement is inaccurate or false.
  23. The representations and warranties given in this Agreement are the only representations and warranties. The Purchaser has given no other representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, to the Seller.
  24. The Purchaser warrants to the Seller that each of the representations and warranties made by it is accurate and not misleading at the date of Settlement. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Seller is entering into this Agreement in reliance on each representation and warranty.
  25. The Purchaser's representations and warranties will survive the Settlement Date of this Agreement.
  26. Where the Seller has a claim against the Purchaser relating to one or more representations and warranties made by the Purchaser, the Purchaser will have no liability to the Seller unless the Seller provides notice in writing to the Purchaser containing full details of the claim on or before the third anniversary of the Settlement Date.
  27. Where the Seller has a claim against the Purchaser relating to one or more representations or warranties made by the Purchaser, and the Seller is entitled to recover damages from a third party then the amount of the claim against the Purchaser will be reduced by the recovered or recoverable amount less all reasonable costs incurred by the Seller in recovering the amount from the third party.
  28. Conditions Precedent to be Performed by the Purchaser
  29. The obligation of the Seller to complete the sale of the Assets under this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent by the Purchaser, on or before the Settlement Date, each of which is acknowledged to be for the exclusive benefit of the Seller and may be waived by the Seller entirely or in part:
    1. all of the representations and warranties made by the Purchaser in this Agreement will be true and accurate in all material respects on the Settlement Date; and
    2. the Purchaser will obtain or complete all forms, documents, consents, approvals, registrations, declarations, orders, and authorisations from any person or any governmental or public body, required of the Purchaser in connection with the execution of this Agreement.
  30. Conditions Precedent to be Performed by the Seller
  31. The obligation of the Purchaser to complete the purchase of the Assets under this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent by the Seller, on or before the Settlement Date, each of which is acknowledged to be for the exclusive benefit of the Purchaser and may be waived by the Purchaser entirely or in part:
    1. all of the representations and warranties made by the Seller in this Agreement will be true and accurate in all material respects on the Settlement Date;
    2. the Seller will obtain and complete any and all forms, documents, consents, approvals, registrations, declarations, orders, and authorisations from any person or governmental or public body that are required of the Seller for the proper execution of this Agreement and transfer of the Assets to the Purchaser;
    3. no substantial damage to or alteration of the Assets that would adversely affect their value will occur between the date this Agreement is signed and the Settlement Date;
    4. the Seller will have obtained any necessary consents for assigning any leases to the Purchaser as well as providing disclosure statements, copies of the leases, or any other documentation required by legislation from such owners or landlords showing that there are no arrears of rent, no breaches under such leases and the amount of the security deposits held by such third parties;
    5. the Seller will execute and deliver bills of sale for the Assets in favor of the Purchaser; and
    6. the Seller will provide the Purchaser with complete information concerning the operation of the Seller, in order to put the Purchaser in a position to carry on in the place of the Seller.
  32. Conditions Precedent Not Satisfied
  33. If either Party fails to satisfy any of its conditions precedent as set out in this Agreement on or before the Settlement Date and that condition precedent was not waived, then this Agreement will be null and void and there will be no further liability as between the Parties.
  34. Disclosure
  35. Upon the reasonable request of the Purchaser, the Seller will, from time to time, allow the Purchaser and its agents, advisors, accountants, employees, or other representatives to have reasonable access to the premises of the Seller and to all of the books, records, documents, and accounts of the Seller, during normal business hours, between the date of this Agreement and the Settlement Date, in order for the Purchaser to confirm the representations and warranties given by the Seller in this Agreement.
  36. Employees
  37. The Seller has maintained complete and accurate records of employment for each of its employees as required by all relevant governmental and regulatory bodies including, but not limited to, periods of employment, all payments including salary, sick pay and maternity pay, income tax and social security contributions, and any documentation relating to disciplinary issues, health and safety issues and termination of employment.
  38. The Seller will indemnify the Purchaser against any claim originating or relating to the employment of any of the employees during the period of employment up to and including the Settlement Date including claims related to any failure on the part of the Seller to comply with the duties and obligations of the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992.
  39. The Purchaser will indemnify the Seller against any claim originating or relating to the employment of any of the employees for the period of employment starting the day after the Settlement Date including claims related to any failure on the part of the Purchaser to comply with the duties and obligations of the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992.
  40. The Seller represents and warrants that all relevant superannuation funds are in compliance with the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993.
  41. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Settlement Date, the Purchaser and the Seller will do everything where and if required to substitute the Seller as the participating employer in all affected superannuation funds.
  42. The Seller will be solely responsible for all employee compensation and all related governmental and regulatory contributions incurred by the Seller up to and including the Settlement Date including all salaries, benefits, bonuses including share bonuses and share options and any other compensation owing to all employees up to and including the Settlement Date. The Seller will be responsible for paying out all vacation days, sick days, personal days and other compensated time off accrued by all employees up to and including the Settlement Date.
  43. All employee compensation and all related governmental and regulatory contributions that may be incurred by the Seller after the Settlement Date including all salaries, benefits, bonuses including share bonuses and share options and any other compensation that may be owed to any employees starting the day after the Settlement Date will be the sole responsibility of the Purchaser.
  44. To the best of the Seller's knowledge, information and belief, no labour dispute is currently in progress, pending or threatened involving the employees of the Seller that would interfere with the normal productivity or production schedules of the Seller.
  45. Non-Assumption of Liabilities
  46. It is understood and agreed between the Parties that the Purchaser is not assuming and will not be liable for any of the liabilities, debts or obligations of the Seller arising out of the ownership or operation of the Seller prior to and including the Settlement Date.
  47. The Seller will indemnify and save harmless the Purchaser, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and shareholders from and against all costs, expenses, losses, claims, and liabilities, including reasonable legal fees and disbursements, or demands for income, sales, excise or other taxes, suffered or incurred by the Purchaser or any of the above mentioned persons arising out of the ownership or operation of the Seller prior to and including the Settlement Date.
  48. Transfer of Third Party Contracts
  49. This Agreement is not to be construed as an assignment of any third party contract from the Seller to the Purchaser if the assignment would be a breach of that third party contract.
  50. The Purchaser will be solely responsible for acquiring new contracts with third parties where the existing contracts are not legally assignable from the Seller to the Purchaser.
  51. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Seller will not be liable for any losses, costs or damages of any kind including loss of revenue or decrease in value of the Seller resulting from the failure of the Purchaser to acquire any third party contracts.
  52. Notices
  53. Any notices or deliveries required in the performance of this Agreement will be deemed completed when hand-delivered, delivered by agent, or 7 days after being placed in the post, postage prepaid, to the Parties at the addresses contained in this Agreement or as the Parties may later designate in writing.
  54. Expenses/Costs
  55. The Parties agree to pay all their own costs and expenses in connection with this Agreement.
  56. Severability
  57. The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement is reasonable, valid, and enforceable; however, if any part of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, it is the intent of the Parties that such provision be reduced in scope only to the extent deemed necessary to render the provision reasonable and enforceable and the remainder of the provisions of this Agreement will in no way be affected or invalidated as a result.
  58. Where any provision in this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, the Purchaser and the Seller will then make reasonable efforts to replace the invalid or unenforceable provision with a valid and enforceable substitute provision, the effect of which is as close as possible to the intended effect of the original invalid or unenforceable provision.
  59. Governing Law
  60. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Australian Capital Territory.
  61. The courts of the Australian Capital Territory will have jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.
  62. General Provisions
  63. This Agreement contains all terms and conditions agreed to by the Parties. Statements or representations which may have been made by any Party to this Agreement in the negotiation stages of this Agreement may in some way be inconsistent with this final written Agreement. All such statements are declared to be of no value to either Party. Only the written terms of this Agreement will bind the Parties.
  64. This Agreement may only be amended or modified by a written instrument executed by all of the Parties.
  65. A waiver by one Party of any right or benefit provided in this Agreement does not infer or permit a further waiver of that right or benefit, nor does it infer or permit a waiver of any other right or benefit provided in this Agreement.
  66. This Agreement will not be assigned either in whole or in part by any Party without the written consent of the other Party.
  67. This Agreement will pass to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties' respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and permitted assigns.
  68. The clauses, paragraphs, and subparagraphs contained in this Agreement are intended to be read and construed independently of each other. If any part of this Agreement is held to be invalid, this invalidity will not affect the operation of any other part of this Agreement.
  69. All of the rights, remedies and benefits provided in this Agreement will be cumulative and will not be exclusive of any other such rights, remedies and benefits allowed by law or equity.
  70. Time is of the essence in this Agreement.
  71. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts.
  72. Headings are inserted for the convenience of the Parties only and are not to be considered when interpreting this Agreement. Words in the singular mean and include the plural and vice versa. Words in the masculine gender include the feminine gender and vice versa. Words in the neuter gender include the masculine gender and the feminine gender and vice versa.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have duly affixed their signatures under hand and seal on this ________ day of ________________, ________.

 


______________________(Seller)

Per:______________________(Seal)

 


___________________________

______________________(Purchaser)

Last Updated 31 August 2026

Written by 

Reviewed by 

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Fact checked by 

What is a Business Sale Agreement?

A Business Sale Agreement documents the sale between a seller and a buyer of a business’s assets or all its shares. It includes terms such as the sale price, payment type, and any conditions for the sale.

A Business Sale Agreement can also be known as a:

  • Business Purchase Agreement
  • Business Sale Contract
  • Purchase of Business Agreement
  • Sale of Business Contract

When do I need a Business Sale Agreement?

You should use a Business Sale Agreement whenever a business entity or certain assets are being sold. 

A contract should be completed before the transfer of ownership and money. An agreement sets the financial terms and defines the responsibilities of each party. 

This can include the sale of small businesses, start-ups, or larger companies in industries such as:

  • Food and accommodation services
  • Professional and technical services
  • Entertainment and recreation
  • Transportation and logistics
  • Finance and insurance
  • Construction and repair
  • Health and wellness
  • Real estate
  • Retail

If you’re still in the early stages of negotiations for your sale, use LawDepot’s Letter of Intent (Heads of Agreement) template to understand each party’s intentions before entering a binding agreement.

What’s the difference between an asset sale and a share sale?

The difference between the sale of assets and the sale of shares lies in what is being transferred to the buyer. Here is a table comparing the two types of sales:

Asset sale

Share sale

What’s being sold

Specific business assets or items (e.g., equipment, inventory, contracts, goodwill, records, files, or trademarks). 

The full business entity does not transfer to the buyer.

The buyer acquires complete ownership and control of the business through the purchase of shares.

The assets, contracts, rights, and obligations generally remain with the company and transfer to the buyer.

Liabilities and risks

The buyer may avoid past risks by only taking on agreed liabilities.

The company remains responsible for its existing liabilities and risks, so the buyer may be exposed to them after acquiring the shares. 

Agreement type required

Business Sale Agreement.

Business Sale Agreement for the whole business, or Share Purchase Agreement.

Any additional requirements

May require third-party consent for leases, licences, or contracts.

It may depend on the company’s constitution, shareholder agreement, transaction structure, and applicable law. 

If you’re looking to only sell or purchase a certain number of shares for a business, consider using LawDepot’s Share Purchase Agreement template.

Can I use a Business Sale Agreement in Australia?

Yes, you can use a Business Sale Agreement in Australia. Our template is available to create, save, and share a contract for the purchase of a business in:

  • Australian Capital Territory 
  • New South Wales 
  • Northern Territory 
  • Queensland 
  • South Australia 
  • Tasmania 
  • Victoria 
  • Western Australia

What are the key parts of a Business Sale Agreement?

A Business Sale Agreement includes key information about the business, location, and the sale. This includes:

  • The transaction type: Whether the sale is for assets or the company’s shares.
  • The payment terms: Including the price, how and when it will be paid, and any deposit required.
  • Warranties and clauses: These can include restrictive clauses (e.g., confidentiality, non-compete, and non-solicitation).
  • Liabilities: State whether the buyer will assume any liabilities or if the seller agrees to compensate the buyer for any losses, costs, or claims that may arise from liabilities or obligations of the company from before the sale. 
  • Sales conditions: Any conditions that the buyer and seller must meet for the sale to be complete.

Our template prompts you to include important details to create a thorough business sale contract.

How does a Business Sale Agreement protect buyers and sellers?

A Business Sale Agreement can protect both the buyer and seller, as it carries benefits such as:

  • Setting out warranties and conditions to create clear rules and obligations for both parties.
  • Outlining payment terms to help the seller receive the agreed-upon price and form of payment on the scheduled date.
  • Establishing any restrictive covenants to protect the business upon transfer to the buyer.
  • Clarifying which liabilities the buyer will assume and which remain the seller’s responsibility, including any agreed indemnity protections.
  • Providing evidence of the agreed-upon terms if a dispute arises at a later date.

Can I write my own Business Sale Agreement?

Yes, you can write your own Business Sale Agreement with LawDepot’s user-friendly template. Our questionnaire will prompt you to provide essential information to create your agreement in minutes.

If you have questions about your agreement or wish to have it reviewed, contact a solicitor for guidance.

How do I create a Business Sale Agreement?

Create your contract with LawDepot’s Business Sale Agreement template. Select the industry the business operates in, then complete the following steps to have your agreement ready to share and sign.

1. Select a sale type

Choose what is being sold. This can be either a sale of assets or a sale of shares.

2. Provide the business and parties’ details

Select the location of the business to customise your agreement to your state or territory’s laws, along with the business name, address, structure (company or unincorporated), and type.

Then state whether you’re buying or selling the business, and include both parties’ names and addresses. If the sale is for assets, you’ll just need to include the buyer’s details.

3. Add the sale and payment details

For an asset sale, include a list of all the assets being sold and any that are being excluded, if applicable. 

Next, provide the price, payment date, any deposits, and the payment method (e.g., lump sum, Promissory Note or a combination of both).

4. Select clauses and warranties

Decide which clauses and warranties you wish to add to your agreement; these are in addition to terms automatically included in your agreement. You can add the following clauses:

  • Confidentiality clause
  • Non-compete (restraint of trade) clause
  • Non-solicitation clause
  • Statement of environmental compliance

You may also choose to include any additional representations or warranties that either the seller or buyer will need to fulfil. For example, you can add a promise that no other person has the right to use any intellectual property referred to in the contract.

5. Add additional terms

For a share sale, determine if the seller will indemnify the buyer for specified liabilities or losses relating to events that occurred before settlement.

For a sale of assets, list any specific liabilities the buyer will assume after settlement (e.g., ongoing payments under an equipment lease).

Then add any specific conditions either party has to fulfil before the settlement date. For example, a condition can be that the contract is contingent upon the buyer obtaining adequate financing.

Common mistakes to avoid when writing a Business Sale Agreement

Common mistakes to avoid when drafting your Business Sale Agreement include:

  • Inaccurate or incomplete business information
  • Not clearly addressing responsibility for the business’s liabilities and any agreed indemnity protections 
  • Unclear list of assets, like excluding certain items or not providing clear descriptions
  • Not including warranties to protect each party, like a non-compete clause

Our template guides you through creating your contract and helps you include important information for your business sale.

Business Sale Agreement FAQs

Are Business Sale Agreements legally binding?

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Yes, Business Sale Agreements are legally binding when they meet the requirements for a valid contract. These include offer and acceptance, consideration (e.g., payment), mutual intent, and any conditions being met. 

If you have questions, contact a solicitor for guidance or have them review your contract before signing.

Is a Business Sale Agreement the same as a Purchase of Business Agreement?

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Yes, a Business Sale Agreement and Purchase of Business Agreement are the same document. The name used depends on a person’s preferences.

Is a Business Sale Agreement the same as a Share Purchase Agreement?

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No, a Business Sale Agreement is not the same as a Share Purchase Agreement.

A Business Sale Agreement can be used for either the sale of a business's assets while the business owner still retains control of the company, or the sale of the entire business entity and its shares. This can be from one business to another company or individual.

A Share Purchase Agreement, also known as a stock purchase agreement, is used to sell and transfer a certain number of shares. This can be to a new owner or to another shareholder within the company.

What happens to employees when a business is sold?

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What happens to employees depends on the type of transaction. In a share sale, the company remains the employer even though ownership of its shares changes. Employees will generally continue working for the same company under their existing employment contracts. If they wish to end their employment, they must do so in accordance with their employment contract and by giving the required notice.

In an asset sale, employees don’t automatically transfer to the buyer. The seller may end their employment, and the buyer may offer them new employment contracts. Depending on the circumstances, the transfer-of-business provisions under the Fair Work Act 2009 may apply and affect recognition of employees’ service, certain entitlements, and whether an enterprise agreement or other registered agreement continues to apply.

Buyers and sellers must consider employee records, accrued entitlements, notice, redundancy, payroll, and superannuation obligations before and after a sale. Seek advice from a solicitor regarding the requirements that apply to your sale type and business. 

Do I need a lawyer for a Business Sale Agreement?

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You don’t need a lawyer to create a Business Sale Agreement. However, for more complex sales, you may wish to receive guidance from a solicitor or have them review your contract before signing. 

Who can write a Business Sale Agreement?

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Either the buyer or the seller can write a Business Sale Agreement. Our template allows either party to complete the contract, then save, edit, share, and sign. 

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