Skip to main content

SME Lending Report 2021

25 November 2021

Of the 2.4 million businesses in Australia, the majority (2.35 million or 98 per cent) are small businesses.

Nearly two-thirds of businesses are sole traders and more than a third employ 1-19 staff. The state with the largest number of SMEs is NSW, with 33% of all SMEs located in NSW.

The industry with the largest number of small businesses is construction (17%) followed by professional, scientific, and technical services (13%) then rental, hiring and real estate services (11%).

Download PDF

Latest news

1 / 3
Media Releases
Important step to help stamp out scams
17 July 2023

Australians are under attack from scams, part of a worsening global scams scourge, and all sectors need to ramp up the fight against these criminals, including government, law enforcement, banks, telcos, social media and crypto platforms and individuals. 

Read more
Media Releases
Statement regarding new Reserve Bank of Australia Governor
14 July 2023

The ABA welcomes the appointment of Michele Bullock as the new Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor. 

The ABA acknowledges RBA Governor Phillip Lowe’s strong leadership of the central bank during one of Australia’s most turbulent periods, the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more
Media Releases
ABA welcomes launch of Federal Government’s National Anti-Scam Centre | First fusion cell to tackle investment scams 
3 July 2023

The Australian Banking Association (ABA) has welcomed the launch of the Federal Government’s National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), a key government and regulator initiative to help fight the scams scourge. 

Read more