iscover The ‘beating heart’ of enterprise: Why sole traders need better recognition
BusinessAs Australia’s sole traders continue to grow, quietly shaping the economy, small business advocates are urging the nation to recognise them for what they truly are: not just business operators, but the beating heart of enterprise, driving communities and economic growth nationwide.
Often overlooked and under-recognised, Australia’s sole traders – the enterprising individuals driving communities from the bush to the suburbs – are finally being acknowledged as far more numerous and vibrant than most policy settings realise.
New data from the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), drawing on customised integrated administrative data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) DataLab, reveals that nearly 1.7 million Australians operated as sole traders in 2021–22.
In an era of increasingly fluid working lives, where Australians balance employment, running a business, and caring responsibilities, the ASBFEO has emphasised that understanding sole traders has never been more crucial.
Despite their growing economic and social impact, the independent statutory agency revealed that sole traders remain largely invisible in program design, regulatory frameworks, and broader economic debates.
Describing sole traders as the “beating heart” of enterprise in Australia, ASBFEO Ombudsman Bruce Billson stressed the need for the nation to recognise them more fully through policies that genuinely reflect their needs.
“Sole traders are not just economic participants – they are the beating heart of enterprise in our country. They’re innovators, problem solvers and community contributors,” Billson said.
“If we genuinely believe in a fair go, we need policies that recognise the real lives, pressures and possibilities of this dynamic group.”
Billson went further, urging that sole traders be seen not merely as “economic actors”, but as the “unsung heroes” driving the Australian economy and be given the support their vital contributions deserve.
“Sole traders are the unsung heroes of our economy. They are not just economic actors – they are community builders, innovators, and problem-solvers.”
“If we truly believe in a fair go, it’s time to give sole traders the recognition and support they deserve.”
