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Business Queensland website
The Queensland Government's Business Queensland website brings together information from a range of Queensland Government departments relevant to business and industry. It makes doing business with government faster and easier, saving you time and money. This is the place to start when looking for information about starting, running, growing and exiting a business.
Support, tools and assistance
You'll find advice on employing and managing people, planning your workforce (including engaging an Industry Workforce Advisor), and access to the support and tools you need for success. You can also see what grants are available for your business.
Business Launchpad
Save time and effort when starting and running your small business with Business Launchpad. Answers questions about your business to create a profile containing licences and permits from federal, state and local government.
Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS)
Search ABLIS, a free online service that helps you find the right local, state and federal government licences, permits, registrations, approvals and codes of practice needed to operate a business.
Business Queensland Connect newsletter
Subscribe to the Business Queensland Connect newsletter for the latest information on small business grants, programs, tools and services.
A snapshot of the Queensland small business landscape
Small businesses operate across every industry and exist in many shapes and forms, from self-employed individuals and micro-businesses to family-run businesses and those employing up to 20 employees.
Small businesses in Queensland
Small businesses in Queensland1, over 97% of all businesses
Contributed to the Queensland economy by small businesses2
Queenslanders employed by small businesses, around 42% of the private sector workforce3
New small businesses were launched in 2022–235
Tourism-related small businesses in Queensland, with around 30,000 non-employing businesses6
Queensland's diverse small business sector
Regional small businesses located outside of SEQ1
Women who own/operate a small business4
Culturally and linguistically diverse small business owners4
Youth (15–24) indicated they own/manage a small business4
Indigenous business owners and operators4
Non-employing businesses1
Top industries for small businesses in Queensland in 2023
Construction1
Professional, Scientific and Technical1
Rental Hiring and Real Estate1
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing1
Health Care and Social Assistance1
References
1. Australian Bureau of Statistics, 8165.0 Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits July 2019 to June 2023, released 18 December 2023. Definition of small business: businesses employing fewer than 20 employees.
2. Queensland Treasury using the data from Australian Bureau of Statistics – 5220.0 Australian National Accounts: State Accounts, 2022–23.
3. Australian Bureau of Statistics – 8155.0 Australian Industry, 2021–22.
4. Australian Bureau of Statistics – Census 2021 – Employment, Income and Education; Business sizes Nil Employees & 1 – 19 Employees.
5. Australian Bureau of Statistics, 8165.0 Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits July 2019 to June 2023, released 18 December 2023.
6. Australian Bureau of Statistics – Tourism Research Australia – Tourism businesses in Australia, June 2018 to June 2023.
Last updated 10 January 2025
