Australian business entries and exits

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has recently released its latest “Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits” data.

Figures for the 2024-2025 period show a net increase of 66,650 businesses across Australia.

The increase in New South Wales was 20,040 being the largest net increase in any state or territory.

Business entries and exits, 2021-22 to 2024-25, Australia
Period	Entries	Exits	Net change
2021-22	442,555	-305,085	137,470
2022-23	406,365	-356,216	50,149
2023-24	436,018	-362,893	73,125
2024-25	437,150	-370,500	66,650

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits July 2021 - June 2025

The latest annual figures indicate the sectors with the largest percentage increase in businesses were:

With declines in the retail trade sector as well as in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.

Annual percent change in businesses by industry division, 2024-25
Sector	Annual percent change
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing	-0.8
Mining	0.9
Manufacturing	0.2
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services	1.0
Construction	2.2
Wholesale Trade	0.1
Retail Trade	-0.4
Accommodation and Food Services	1.2
Transport, Postal and Warehousing	5.1
Information Media and Telecommunications	1.5
Financial and Insurance Services	3.7
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services	3.1
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services	2.5
Administrative and Support Services	2.6
Public Administration and Safety	1.8
Education and Training	2.4
Health Care and Social Assistance	6.6
Arts and Recreation Services	2.3
Other Services	2.7

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits July 2021 - June 2025