CPA Australia has an ongoing commitment to investigating and reporting on issues of importance to small business. Many of our members own, work for and / or advise small businesses. Through the Small Business Survey Program, we aim to provide research to inform the decisions of small business owners, advisers to small business and policy makers.

This survey is the tenth in our Small Business Survey Program, which began in March 2002. The survey tests a number of key findings in the previous surveys, particularly on workplace and employment issues, compliance burden and business confidence to see what trends have emerged (if any) since those questions were first asked. The survey also introduces questions on a number of emerging issues such as climate change and anti-money laundering.

The survey generally found that small business has grown over the last few years however there are a number of issues that have impacted upon the ability of business to grow, particularly finding skilled staff with the right attitude.