The NSW small business landscape at a glance
Small businesses play a vital role in NSW. They are critical cogs in our thriving economy and they contribute so much to our diverse local communities. A small business is defined as an actively trading, unincorporated or incorporated business that employs less than 20 people. This information is based on the latest available data from the ABS.
Small businesses in NSW
Comprising 97% of all NSW businesses (ABS, 8165.0, June 2023 – latest available).
People Employed
By NSW small businesses in the private sector, which is around 43% of the State’s private sector workforce (estimated from ABS, 8155.0, 2022-23 – latest available).
Annual Wages and Salaries
Paid by NSW small businesses to employees every year (estimated from ABS, 8155.0, 2022-23 – latest available).
Annual Sales and Service Income
Contributed by NSW small businesses (estimated from ABS, 8155.0, 2022-23 – latest available).
Male
Approximately 66% of NSW small business owners are male (ABS, Census 2021, latest available).
Female
Approximately 34% of NSW small business owners are female. Female involvement is significantly understated, with many acting in key advisory and support roles in the running of family businesses (ABS, Census 2021, latest available).
Living outside the Sydney Greater Metropolitan Region
Approximately 30% of small business operators live outside the Sydney Greater Metropolitan Region (ABS, 8165.0, June 2023 – latest available).
Operators Born Overseas
Small business operators that were born overseas (ABS, Census 2021, latest available).
Age of small business owners in NSW
(ABS, Census 2021, latest available).
50 - 59 years of age
40 - 49 years of age
Over 60 years of age
30 - 39 years of age
Under 30 years of age
Top 5
Industries by business counts (0-19 employees).
Construction
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Rental, Hiring & Real Estate Services
Transport, Postal & Warehousing
Health Care and Social Assistance
Every small business has a unique story
We talk to small business owners and operators about how they got started, the obstacles they overcame and the lessons they learned.