Thinking of Buying a Maintenance & Repairs Business in Australia? Here Are 3 Vital Questions to Ask

The Australian facilities management industry, which covers maintenance and repair services, generated $11.9 billion in revenue in 2025–26 with profit margins of 2.4%. The sector employs nearly 98,600 people across 125 enterprises and 529 establishments.

Revenue is projected to grow at 2.5% annually through 2030–31, reaching $13.5 billion. Growth will be driven by outsourcing, integrated facilities management (IFM) contracts, and sustainability requirements. However, competition remains intense, with clients increasingly insourcing basic maintenance to cut costs.

1. Is the Business Financially Resilient in a Low-Margin Industry?

Why It Matters

Profitability in maintenance and repair services is slim, averaging just 2.4% across the sector. Clients, particularly in government and large corporates, often bring services in-house, pressuring margins and contract renewals. Success depends on scale, efficiency, and diversification into higher-value technical services.

What to Check

• Profit margins – Benchmark against the industry average of 2.4%.
  
  

• Revenue stability – Assess reliance on long-term contracts versus ad-hoc repairs.
  
  

• Cost base – Review exposure to labour, which is the largest expense, and rising wage pressures.
  
  

• Cash flow – Evaluate resilience in covering upfront costs of equipment and compliance-heavy contracts.
  
  

2. Does the Business Have a Strong Market Position?

Why It Matters

The industry is highly fragmented, with the top four operators accounting for less than 30% of the market. Large players like Ventia, Downer, and Programmed win major government and defence contracts, while smaller firms compete locally on reputation, speed, and customer service. Positioning in high-demand sectors like healthcare and education provides more stability than commercial office work, which is declining under hybrid work trends.

What to Check

• Customer base – Review whether clients include healthcare, defence, or education providers with strong contract demand.
  
  

• Geographic location – Businesses in NSW and VIC benefit from higher concentrations of government and corporate clients.
  
  

• Contract scope – Assess whether the business offers bundled services (e.g., cleaning, security, repairs) that appeal to large clients.
  
  

• Reputation – Check reviews, repeat business, and ability to win tenders.
  
  

3. Is the Business Positioned for Industry Trends and Regulation?

Why It Matters

The future of maintenance and repairs is tied to sustainability, technology adoption, and regulatory compliance. Energy-efficient retrofits, predictive maintenance, and data-driven monitoring are becoming standard in government and corporate tenders. Firms that invest in innovation and compliance systems will capture more long-term contracts.

What to Check

• Technology integration – Look for adoption of IoT, predictive maintenance, and smart building systems.
  
  

• Sustainability alignment – Ensure capability to meet NABERS, Green Star, and energy-efficiency requirements.
  
  

• Regulatory compliance – Verify adherence to WHS, electrical safety, and National Construction Code obligations.
  
  

• Adaptability – Assess diversification into higher-margin technical services like HVAC, medical equipment, and asset lifecycle upgrades.
  
  

Ready to Invest in a Thriving Maintenance & Repairs Business?

With demand supported by healthcare, education, and government contracts, the maintenance and repair industry remains an essential part of Australia’s infrastructure.

Success will depend on financial efficiency, competitive positioning, and readiness to meet sustainability and technology expectations.

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