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.
There are over
small businesses in NSW, comprising
97.6% of all NSW businesses
(ABS, 8165.0, 2019-20 – latest available).
NSW small businesses employ
people in the private sector, which is around
43% of the State’s private sector workforce
(estimated from ABS, 8155.0, 2019-20 – latest available).
The NSW small business sector pays more than
in annual wages and salaries to employees every
year
(estimated from ABS, 8155.0, 2019-20 – latest available).
NSW small businesses contribute more than
to annual sales and service income
(estimated from ABS, 8155.0, 2019-20 – latest available).
Approx. 67% of NSW small business owners are male and 33% female. Female involvement is significantly understated, with many acting in key advisory and support roles in the running of family businesses (ABS, Census 2016, latest available).
Approximately
of small business operators live outside
the Sydney Greater Metropolitan Region
(ABS, Census 2016, latest available).
of small business
operators were born overseas
(ABS, Census 2016, latest available).
Age of small business
owners in NSW
Industries by business counts
(0-19 employees).
16.2%
Construction
13.5%
Professional, Scientific
& Technical Services
11.1%
Rental, Hiring
& Real Estate Services
9.4%
Financial & Insurance
Services
8.3%
Transport, Postal
& Warehousing
This data is based on the latest available estimates from the ABS 8155.0 2019-20.