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Financial Assistance Hub

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%).

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