The cost of a business valuation in Australia depends on why you need it, the size and complexity of the business, and who will rely on the report. A free calculator costs nothing but is not a valuation. At Valuo, fixed fees start from $995 + GST, set by annual revenue and the report you choose.
What decides the cost of a business valuation?
Four things drive most of the cost: why you need the valuation, how big the business is, how complex it is, and who will rely on the result. More of any of these usually means more work, and more work means a higher fee.
Purpose. A valuation for your own planning needs less than one a buyer, lender or tax adviser will read. Formal uses need more evidence and more explanation.
Size. A larger business usually has more revenue streams, more staff, more assets and more records to work through. That is why many fees, including Valuo's, are set by annual revenue.
Complexity. Several entities, a part shareholding, a past valuation date, unusual assets or messy records all add work. So do disputes, which need an individually scoped engagement.
Who relies on it. If only you will read the report, the scope can be narrower. If another party will rely on it, the valuer needs to document the method, the adjustments and the evidence so that reader can follow and test it.
What is the difference between a calculator, an estimate and a signed report?
They answer different questions, at different depths. A calculator does arithmetic. An estimate or desktop report gives a reviewed view for your own decisions. A signed report is a full independent valuation that someone takes responsibility for.
| Option | What it does | Who it suits | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free online calculator | Applies your inputs to a formula | A quick first look | Free |
| Estimate or desktop report | Reviews your financials and gives a value conclusion with its limits set out | Owners making their own decisions | Lower fixed fee |
| Full signed report | Deeper analysis, explained adjustments, evidence and a valuer's signature | Sales, purchases, tax, shareholders, other readers | Higher fee, scoped to purpose |
A "desktop" report means the work is done from documents and answers, without a site visit.
For more on the trade-offs, see calculator vs report and estimate vs signed report.
How much does Valuo charge?
Valuo publishes every fee. Your fee depends on the annual revenue of the business and the report you choose, and it is confirmed in writing, with your scope, before you pay.
| Annual revenue | Business Value Report | Professional Valuation Report |
|---|---|---|
| Under $1 million | $995 + GST ($1,094.50 inc GST) | $1,495 + GST ($1,644.50 inc GST) |
| $1 million to under $2 million | $1,495 + GST ($1,644.50 inc GST) | $1,995 + GST ($2,194.50 inc GST) |
| $2 million to under $5 million | $2,495 + GST ($2,744.50 inc GST) | $2,995 + GST ($3,294.50 inc GST) |
| $5 million to under $10 million | $3,495 + GST ($3,844.50 inc GST) | $3,995 + GST ($4,394.50 inc GST) |
| $10 million or more | A fixed fee quoted before any work starts | A fixed fee quoted before any work starts |
A band's upper figure belongs to the next band. For example, revenue of exactly $2 million sits in the $2 million to under $5 million band.
The fee never depends on the value concluded. No payment is taken until your scope is confirmed and you accept the terms.
Which Valuo report do I need?
Choose the Business Value Report for your own decisions, and the Professional Valuation Report when another party will read it or the purpose is formal.
The Business Value Report is a streamlined assessment based on your financial information. It suits understanding what your business is worth, early sale preparation, internal planning and a first look at a business you may buy. A valuer reviews it before it is issued, but it is not signed. It is not for tax, the ATO, family law, court, lenders or other third parties.
The Professional Valuation Report is a full independent valuation. It adds explained adjustments to earnings, market evidence where available and relevant, a review of key assumptions and a detailed report signed by the valuer responsible. It suits a sale or purchase, tax and restructures (subject to scope), and shareholder arrangements.
A court, the ATO or a lender decides for itself whether to accept a report. Your accountant or lawyer can advise on what your situation requires.
Can I start with the cheaper report and upgrade?
Often, yes. If you order a Business Value Report and later need a Professional Valuation Report, the starting point is the difference between the two fees in your band (see the table above). The final upgrade fee is set after a scope review, with credit for work already done, and may differ.
Before an upgrade, the new purpose is confirmed and a revised scope and fee is sent. If the purpose or complexity changes materially, a new scope and quote is issued instead.
When is the fee quoted separately?
Some work cannot honestly be priced by revenue alone, so it receives a custom fixed-fee quote in writing. That includes revenue of $10 million or more, family law, disputes and litigation, groups of three or more entities, healthcare practices and early-stage companies.
The Australian Government's guide to valuing your business also notes there is no one set valuation method, which is part of why scope matters to cost.
Get your price
See your fixed fee in two taps: Get your fixed fee, or read the full pricing.
If your situation needs a specialist, a Valuo company scopes it:
- Separation or family law: Family Law Valuations
- Complex restructures, tax and CGT, related-party transfers or shareholder buyouts: Oliver Group
- Medical, dental, allied health and other healthcare practices: Medival
- Start-ups and early-stage companies: Start-Up Valuations
Questions
How much does a business valuation cost with Valuo?
Valuo's fees are fixed by the annual revenue of the business and the report you choose. The Business Value Report starts from $995 + GST and the Professional Valuation Report starts from $1,495 + GST. Businesses with revenue of $10 million or more receive a fixed fee quoted before any work starts.
Does the fee depend on how much my business is worth?
Not at Valuo. The fee is fixed before you start and never depends on the value concluded. That keeps the valuer independent of the answer.
Why does a signed report cost more than an estimate?
A signed report involves deeper analysis, explained adjustments to earnings, a review of key assumptions and a valuer who takes responsibility for the conclusion. That extra work is what makes it suitable for situations where another party will read it.
Is a free online business valuation calculator enough?
A calculator can show how earnings and assumptions move a number, which is useful for a first look. It cannot check your accounts, adjust your earnings or take responsibility for a conclusion. Treat its output as a starting point for questions, not a value.
Are there extra costs on top of the fixed fee?
Valuo's fees are published plus GST and confirmed in writing, with your scope, before you pay. If the purpose or complexity changes later, a new scope and fee is issued.
General educational information, not advice. Examples are hypothetical and do not value a real business. The right treatment depends on the purpose, the evidence and the agreed scope.