55,583
Number of small businesses
381,979
Hours of support for NSW businesses
198,241
Hours of support for regional businesses
Top 3 business issues
- Business planning
- Marketing
- COVID-19 disruption
Top 3 industries supported
- Retail trade
-
Other services (see 'other services' in ANZSIC)
- Arts and recreation services
What we have achieved
17,051
referrals to government programs
4,643
events run across NSW
13,450
referrals to the commercial sector
96%
overall satisfaction with the service
33,200
estimated jobs created (as at September 2023)
96%
of customers likely to recommend the program
Types of business supported
Business stage
- 40% established businesses
- 37% startups
- 22% intenders
- >1% exiters
Business structure
- 56% sole traders
- 30% companies
- 7% partnerships
- 2% not-for-profits
- 2% prefer not to say/not defined
- 2% trusts
Business size
- 61% no employees
- 30% 1-4 employees
- 7% 5-19 employees
- 2% 20+ employees
Our customers
Age
- 4% aged 16-24
- 18% aged 25-34
- 27% aged 35-44
- 23% aged 45-54
- 12% aged 55-64
- 3% aged 65+
- 13% did not provide
Gender
- 58% female
- 42% male
Location
- 53% regional
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses
- 1,128 Aboriginal customers
Customer demographics for January 2017 to September 2023.
Business Connect customer feedback
"We are extremely grateful for the opportunity the NSW Government has provided us with. Business Connect has been instrumental to our business growth and development. We would not be in the position we are without the amazing advisors!"
NDIS plan managers, Port Macquarie
"A big thank you to all of the team for your help so far. I really feel like you all had our business' back and that if we ran into any big problems, we could always make a meeting to work through it."
Occupational therapist, Albury
“My Business Connect advisor is a fantastic fit for me in helping to get my business running. They set out valuable guidance to help me achieve my goals. Such a valuable and insightful session and I'm very grateful for their support. Their enthusiasm has greatly improved my confidence and I couldn't ask for a better advisor.”
Customer relationship support consultancy, Illawong Sutherland Shire
“Most companies these days only want to work on 'big' projects with big income, which is out of reach for new and small business. It is fantastic to have support available. I really appreciate this service.”
Reiki therapist, Rouse Hill, The Hills Shire
Business Connect program evaluation
An independent evaluation of the Business Connect program found that the current program:
- fulfils a clear need, with more than half of small businesses not knowing where to go for business planning and other support needed or not being able to afford it
- plays an important role in avoiding business failure
- has had a positive impact on its outcomes of supporting businesses to start, grow and adapt, and increase confidence.