Small business landscape | Small Business Commissioner

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 41% of the State’s private sector workforce
(estimated from ABS, 8155.0, 2018-19 – latest available).

The NSW small business sector pays more than

in annual wages and salaries to employees every year (estimated from ABS, 8155.0, 2018-19 – latest available).

NSW small businesses contribute more than

to annual sales and service income
(estimated from ABS, 8155.0, 2018-19 – 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).