The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), based on Australian Business Number registrations, reveal there were 195,840 small businesses in Western Australia in June 2007.
Small businesses account for 96% of all businesses in the state. More than a third (37%) of these businesses employ staff with the remaining proportion (63%) being non-employing businesses. It is estimated that the small business sector in Western Australia accounts for over half of all private sector, non-agricultural employment.
The industries in which most small businesses in Western Australia operate are:
During the 2007/08 period, there were 25,496 new business names registered in Western Australia through the Department of Commerce. In the 2008/09 financial year, new business name registrations remained steady at 25,410 over this period, indicating that the global financial crisis did not seem to significantly affect business start up confidence.
However, it is important to note that business registrations are valid for three years. As such, the impact of the current economic situation on the viability of these new businesses will become more apparent over the next few years, as they renew or cancel their existing business names.
Exporting is increasingly becoming a major contributor to economic growth in Western Australia, with small businesses playing an important part. In November 2007, there were 1275 small business exporters, which accounted for over a third (33.4%) of all exporters with a head office in Western Australia.
The industries with the greatest number of small business exporters are:
It is also interesting to note, the increasing trade between Australian businesses and Asian economies. This is reflected in the top five destination export countries for Australia, which are based on the total value of exports.
This data has been sourced from a range of ABS data products and used with the permission of the ABS. Variations exist in the method of data collection and some of the information used to identify small businesses.
Caution should be exercised in making comparisons between the data sets. The information has been provided to create a snapshot of small business activity in Western Australia.
Statistical information on small businesses and the West Australian economy can be found in a range of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data sources. These include:
Telephone 131 BIZ (131 249)
Email info@smallbusiness.wa.gov.au
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
This content has been prepared by the Small Business Development Corporation to provide general small business statistical information. The information here is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of publishing. It is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment and for verifying all relevant representations, statements and information.
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