How Business Connect has supported NSW businesses

Number of small businesses

55,583

Hours of support for NSW businesses

381,979

Hours of support for regional businesses

198,241

Top 3 business issues

  • Business planning
  • Marketing
  • COVID-19 disruption

Top 3 industries supported

  • Retail trade
  • Other services (see 'other services' in ANZSIC)

  • Arts and recreation services

What we have achieved

17,051

referrals to government programs

Icon of calendar

4,643

events run across NSW

13,450

referrals to the commercial sector 

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96%

overall satisfaction with the service

33,200

estimated jobs created (as at September 2023)

96%

of customers likely to recommend the program

Types of business supported

Business stage

  • 40% established businesses
  • 37% startups
  • 22% intenders
  • >1% exiters

Business structure

  • 56% sole traders
  • 30% companies
  • 7% partnerships
  • 2% not-for-profits
  • 2% prefer not to say/not defined
  • 2% trusts

Business size

  • 61% no employees
  • 30% 1-4 employees
  • 7% 5-19 employees
  • 2% 20+ employees

Our customers

Age

  • 4% aged 16-24
  • 18% aged 25-34
  • 27% aged 35-44
  • 23% aged 45-54
  • 12% aged 55-64
  • 3% aged 65+
  • 13% did not provide

Gender

  • 58% female
  • 42% male

Location

  • 53% regional

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses

  • 1,128 Aboriginal customers

Customer demographics for January 2017 to September 2023.

Business Connect customer feedback

"We are extremely grateful for the opportunity the NSW Government has provided us with. Business Connect has been instrumental to our business growth and development. We would not be in the position we are without the amazing advisors!"

NDIS plan managers, Port Macquarie

 

"A big thank you to all of the team for your help so far. I really feel like you all had our business' back and that if we ran into any big problems, we could always make a meeting to work through it."

Occupational therapist, Albury

 

“My Business Connect advisor is a fantastic fit for me in helping to get my business running. They set out valuable guidance to help me achieve my goals. Such a valuable and insightful session and I'm very grateful for their support. Their enthusiasm has greatly improved my confidence and I couldn't ask for a better advisor.”

Customer relationship support consultancy, Illawong Sutherland Shire

 

“Most companies these days only want to work on 'big' projects with big income, which is out of reach for new and small business. It is fantastic to have support available. I really appreciate this service.”

Reiki therapist, Rouse Hill, The Hills Shire

Business Connect program evaluation

An independent evaluation of the Business Connect program found that the current program: 

  • fulfils a clear need, with more than half of small businesses not knowing where to go for business planning and other support needed or not being able to afford it
  • plays an important role in avoiding business failure
  • has had a positive impact on its outcomes of supporting businesses to start, grow and adapt, and increase confidence.

Download report

NSW Business Profiles 2021 by Local Government Area

The NSW and LGA Business Profile contains infographic profiles of NSW Local Government Area (LGA) business statistics for 2021, using the latest data available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, with a focus on small businesses (0-19 employees). Each LGA has data shown for demographics, general statistics and business statistics.

Download report

Last updated: 21 February 2024