From the Founder

Welcome to the Small Business Association of Australia (SBAA).

At the SBAA, we believe the role of government is to foster an economic environment where small businesses can thrive, while ensuring owners are equipped to navigate the constant regulatory changes affecting their livelihoods.

There are 2.7 million actively trading small businesses across Australia, spanning every postcode and industry. These Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) represent 98% of all businesses and remain the nation’s largest private-sector employer.

Despite keeping the wheels of commerce turning, this vital group often has little to no say in the policies that directly impact them. The SBAA understands exactly what is required to ensure the viability and sustainability of the sector so that Australian businesses can compete, grow, employ, and export.

Our research shows that the "one-size-fits-all" policy is failing. Unless frameworks are designed specifically for the unique needs of MSMEs at different stages of growth, they will continue to struggle in an increasingly competitive global market. Current definitions of "small business" are confusing, and policy is too often skewed toward only those with large headcounts.

A primary concern is the suffocating level of red tape—the direct result of poorly conceived policy. While governments have promised to reduce this burden for decades, they have seen little success. To address this, the SBAA has drafted the Small Business Charter of Australia. This is not a political document, nor is it anti-big business or anti-union. It is a practical framework designed to help policymakers create better, fairer, and more effective outcomes for the backbone of our economy

- Anne Nalder, Founder and CEO