ALTHOUGH we would all relish up–to–the–minute data, the logistics of compiling it take considerable time and effort. Still, as we mark this year’s Australian Made Week from May 18 to 24 by consciously swapping imported goods for those that are locally made, grown or processed, it is an ideal moment to take a closer look at seven interesting facts about the nature of Australian business. These figures were compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and released in August 2025, reflecting the scale and diversity of our innovative and industrious nation.
Counts of Australian businesses — 2024–25 financial year
1. Australia tops 2.7M businesses
Australia now has 2,729,648 businesses, after business numbers increased by 2.5 per cent, or 66,650, over the year.
2. More Australians taking the plunge
A total of 437,150 new businesses were created during the year, while 370,500 closed, with both figures higher than in 2023–24.
3. Western Australia leads growth
Western Australia saw the fastest rise in business numbers, up 4.3 per cent, or 10,877 businesses. Queensland followed with growth of 2.7 per cent, adding 13,579 businesses.
4. Businesses move north
Queensland attracted more relocating businesses than any other state or territory, with 1,250 businesses shifting their operations there from elsewhere.
5. Health care records the strongest gains
Business numbers rose the most in:
Health Care and Social Assistance, up 6.6 per cent
Transport, Postal and Warehousing, up 5.1 per cent
6. Construction continues to surge
The construction sector recorded 76,414 new businesses, the largest number of new entrants of any industry.
7. Ongoing decline in partnerships
Partnership numbers have not increased in any year since 2002, when business types were first included in the data. In 2024–25, partnership businesses fell by 4.3 per cent, a drop of 9,226.
For context: Greater Shepparton
As of 2026 Greater Shepparton has 8,311 GST registered business across a diverse industry landscape, with the largest share (21 per cent) centred in agriculture, forestry and the fishing industry, followed closely by construction.
