Weekly ACCC Deal Digest (3 Feb 2026)
Your weekly digest of Australian deals lodged with the ACCC to 3 Feb 2026
Merger Loop
February 03, 2026
This week’s update includes 2 new filings, with Abbott proposing to acquire Exact Sciences in the healthcare diagnostics sector and North American Construction Group proposes to acquire Iron Mine Contracting and Iron Hire.
A number of waiver determinations were published resulting in 11 approvals, while 11 transactions remain under assessment, including Phase 2 reviews for Ampol–EG Australia and Coles in Kalgoorlie, and ongoing reviews of proposed deals by Google, L’Oréal, Ramsay Health Care and more.
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❇️ New deals
Abbott Laboratories – Exact Sciences
Abbott Laboratories proposes to acquire 100% of Exact Sciences Corporation. Exact Sciences supplies molecular diagnostics and cancer screening products, including tests used in oncology. The transaction would combine Abbott’s global diagnostics business with Exact Sciences’ cancer testing portfolio, expanding Abbott’s presence in molecular diagnostics and screening technologies.
North American Construction Group – Iron Mine Contracting and Iron Hire
North American Construction Group proposes to acquire Iron Mine Contracting and Iron Hire. The businesses supply mining, civil construction, and equipment hire services, particularly in Western Australia. The transaction would combine mining services and equipment hire operations under common ownership.
✅ Recently approved
Delinea (TPG) – StrongDM
Delinea, backed by TPG, proposes to acquire StrongDM. StrongDM supplies access management software used to control and monitor user access to cloud infrastructure and enterprise systems. The transaction involves the acquisition of a cybersecurity software provider operating in identity, access, and infrastructure security markets.
CSE Crosscom – Progility
CSE Crosscom proposes to acquire 100% of Progility. Both businesses supply communications integration, radio networks, push-to-talk systems, and managed services to enterprise and public sector customers across Australia. The transaction involves the consolidation of two providers of communications and systems integration services.
Star Hotels Group – Yandina Hotel, QLD
Star Hotels Group acquired the freehold land and business assets of the Yandina Hotel from the Kingston Family Trust. The Yandina Hotel operates as a hotel, bar, and liquor venue on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The transaction expands Star Hotels Group’s portfolio of hospitality venues in regional Queensland.
Altor Fund Manager – Evac Holding Oy
Altor Fund Manager proposes to acquire 100% of Evac Holding Oy from Bridgepoint. Evac supplies water, wastewater, and waste management systems primarily for marine vessels and buildings. The transaction involves the acquisition of control of a specialised engineering business supplying systems to customers globally, including through Australian distribution channels.
Carlyle – Peloton Computer Enterprises
Carlyle proposes to acquire preferred equity and warrants in Peloton Computer Enterprises. Peloton supplies software used in upstream oil and gas operations. The transaction is structured as a minority investment that may result in Carlyle holding an equity interest on a fully diluted basis.
Warburg Pincus – Acclime
Warburg Pincus proposes to acquire between 80% and 100% of Acclime through an acquisition vehicle. Acclime provides accounting, tax, payroll, corporate secretarial, and advisory services across Asia-Pacific, including Australia. The transaction is structured as a private equity acquisition of a professional services platform.
CVC Capital Partners – Smiths Detection Group
CVC Capital Partners proposes to acquire 100% of Smiths Detection Group from Smiths Group. Smiths Detection supplies security screening and threat detection equipment used in aviation, ports, and critical infrastructure. The transaction involves the acquisition of control of a global supplier of security and screening technologies.
Re.Group – Scouts Queensland Recycling Centre Site
Re.Group proposes to acquire leasehold interests, assets, and employees associated with the Scouts Queensland Recycling Centre at Slacks Creek. The business operates in container refund scheme processing and recycling services in Queensland. The transaction involves the transfer of site operations and associated infrastructure to Re.Group.
Alpine Software Group – PlayHQ
Alpine Software Group proposes to acquire GameOn Australia and PlayHQ. PlayHQ supplies software for sports administration, participant registration, competition management, and payments for sporting organisations. The transaction involves the acquisition of control of sports management software providers operating in Australia.
IFS – Softeon
IFS proposes to acquire Softeon. Softeon supplies warehouse management and fulfilment software used by logistics providers, retailers, and manufacturers. The transaction combines enterprise software offerings with supply chain and warehouse execution software through the acquisition of Softeon.
KKR-led consortium – Saviynt
A consortium led by KKR proposes to acquire Saviynt. Saviynt supplies identity governance and access management software used by enterprises to manage access, compliance, and identity lifecycles. The transaction involves the acquisition of control of a cybersecurity software provider operating globally.
❌ Recently rejected
None this week.
⏳ Pending deals
Symal Group – Timms Group and L&D Group
Symal Group proposes to acquire Timms Group and L&D Group. The target businesses provide civil construction, demolition, bulk earthworks, and haulage services primarily in Queensland. The transaction would expand Symal’s civil construction operations through the acquisition of two established contracting businesses.
Ramsay Health Care – National Capital Private Hospital
Ramsay Health Care proposes to acquire National Capital Private Hospital from Healthscope. The hospital operates as a private hospital in the Australian Capital Territory. The transaction would result in Ramsay acquiring ownership and operation of a hospital asset within its Australian healthcare portfolio.
GE Healthcare – Intelerad
GE Healthcare proposes to acquire Intelerad. Intelerad supplies medical imaging software used for picture archiving, radiology reporting, and workflow management by hospitals and imaging providers. The transaction would combine medical imaging equipment and digital health software businesses.
Opal HealthCare – Sunnymeade Park Aged Care Community
Opal HealthCare proposes to acquire the land, assets, and business of Sunnymeade Park Aged Care Community. Sunnymeade Park operates a residential aged care facility with approximately 172 beds in Caboolture, Queensland. The transaction would add an additional aged care facility to Opal HealthCare’s portfolio.
Thermo Fisher Scientific – Clario Holdings
Thermo Fisher Scientific proposes to acquire Clario Holdings. Clario supplies clinical trial technology and data services used in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research. The transaction would expand Thermo Fisher Scientific’s clinical research services business through the acquisition of a provider of trial data and endpoint measurement services.
L’Oréal – Kering Beauté
L’Oréal proposes to acquire Kering Beauté, including the Creed fragrance brand and long-term beauty licences for Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta. Kering Beauté operates in luxury fragrances and cosmetics. The transaction would expand L’Oréal’s portfolio of prestige beauty brands.
Google – Wiz
Google proposes to acquire Wiz. Wiz supplies cloud security software that helps organisations identify and manage security risks across cloud environments. The transaction would involve the acquisition of control of a cybersecurity software provider.
ServiceNow – Veza
ServiceNow proposes to acquire Veza. Veza supplies identity governance and access management software used by enterprise customers. The transaction combines workflow automation software with identity security products through the acquisition of Veza.
Coles – supermarket and liquor site in Kalgoorlie, WA
Coles proposes to acquire a leasehold interest in a new neighbourhood shopping centre in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The site is intended to operate as a large-format supermarket with an attached liquor store.
Ampol – EG Australia
Ampol proposes to acquire EG Australia under a share purchase agreement. EG Australia operates fuel and convenience retail sites across Australia. The transaction involves the transfer of ownership of a national network of fuel and convenience retail businesses.
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