Small business numbers up 9pc

THE number of small businesses in WA has grown 9 per cent to 116,300 in the seven months from September to May

According to a Small Business Development Corporation report, small businesses now account for 96.7 per cent of all private sector businesses in WA – up 0.2 per cent from 96.5 per cent in September.

Micro businesses – those employing less than five people – make up 84 per cent of the State’s small businesses. That is a considerable increase on the 53 per cent share of the sector they held between 1995-96 and 1998-99.

The small business sector’s contribution to the State’s employment figures also increased – up from 48.3 per cent in September to 50.9 per cent in May.

Between 1998-99 and 1999-2000, the number of people employed by small businesses in WA increased by 7.2 per cent compared with 2 per cent nationwide.

But the number of small businesses operating either at or from home has dropped by 14 per cent to 63 per cent.