From 1 January 2026, certain acquisitions in Australia must be notified to the ACCC and cannot complete without clearance.

This isn’t just a big-end-of-town issue, the new dollar thresholds squarely capture mid-market tech.

A transaction may require ACCC approval where:

Combined Australian revenue ≥ $200m and the target has ≥ $50m revenue, or
The acquirer group has ≥ $500m revenue and the target has ≥ $10m revenue, or
The transaction value is ≥ $250m.
There are also 3-year cumulative tests that capture roll-ups in the same sector.

A $300m-revenue platform acquiring a $20–40m bolt-on may now require mandatory clearance.
Multiple $15m acquisitions over a few years can also trigger review.

The ACCC has already shown it will intervene in digital and vertical software markets where SME customers face high switching costs and limited alternatives.

This was evident in the recent forced divestment in the WiseTech / Expedient logistics software deal.

Platforms that consolidate niche markets are firmly on the regulator’s radar.

Regulatory approval is now an execution risk, not a formality.
Deal timelines will stretch.
Roll-up strategies need early competition analysis.
Valuations may be impacted by clearance uncertainty.
For growth-focused tech businesses, ACCC strategy now sits alongside tax, structuring and due diligence from day one.

The full detail of the new regime can be found at Thresholds for notifying acquisitions | ACCC

For expert guidance on navigating the new ACCC thresholds and their impact on your deal strategy, connect with Mark Bailey

📞 +61 3 9820 6400
📧 hcm@hallchadwickmelb.com.au
🌐 hallchadwick.com.au

Disclaimer: This is not advice. You should not act solely on the basis of the material contained in this post. These are general comments only and do not constitute or convey advice per se. Also changes in legislation may occur quickly. We therefore recommend that our formal advice be sought before acting in any of these areas.