Small businesses may vary. For example, the business could be in the service, retail or manufacturing sectors. These may include trades such as plumbers and electricians, retail shops of various types, consulting services or small manufacturers.
At present there is a strong push to increase the number of small businesses in Australia that export.
The importance of the small business sector to the Australian economy is recognised by researchers, government and policy makers as well as the business community as a whole. It is acknowledged that the characteristics and business drivers of small business are potentially very different to those of larger businesses and as such require specific, targeted policy initiatives. Central to the development of effective policy initiatives is a sound understanding of the nature and characteristics of this sector of the business economy.