A new national survey of more than 1,100 small businesses reveals the real pressure many operators are under. Almost half of small business owners report high stress levels, with those employing 15 to 24 staff feeling it most. One in three has considered closing in the past year.

Regulation remains a major problem, with more than 60 per cent spending over $20,000 a year on compliance and almost half penalised in the last four years.

Staffing continues to challenge many businesses, with 35 per cent struggling to recruit or retain employees. Despite these pressures, 82 per cent remain confident about the future and more than half are already seeing positive impacts from technology and AI in their operations. The findings are a clear call for reduced red tape and stronger support for small business.