The report explores the latest trends in business formation in Australia. It identifies measures to improve the operating environment for emerging businesses and calls for a refresh of supporting programs and policies in four key areas: regulation, finance, skills, and culture and competition. It finds Australia has experienced a long-term decline in business ownership rates.

Australia’s self-employment rate has fallen sharply since the early 2000s. This report shows a fall in unincorporated self-employment aligns closely with changing labour market incentives. Unincorporated businesses that employ workers experienced the greatest decline, while solo self-employment fell modestly and the share of company owners grew. The patterns are interpreted as reflecting two broad trends.

Side-hustles are small-scale entrepreneurial activities undertaken alongside formal employment. This report presents findings from a project that explores the characteristics and experiences of young people with side-hustles. The findings challenge dominant narratives of hustle culture and calls for policy approaches that centre secure, meaningful employment for young people.

This report from the Centre for Future Work shows that, in reality, self-employment is not growing inexorably — in fact, in most countries (including Australia) it is declining.

This video features Luca Weber, blind since childhood, who runs a microenterprise. Luca and his mother share insights into creating and managing the business. Microenterprises are simple, low‑cost ventures built around a person’s strengths, offering community connection and viable employment pathways for people with disability, as Luca’s journey demonstrates.