Small Business Owner

Small Businesses in Australia have under 20 staff, but more than 75% have less than 4 employees. These are known as micro-businesses. Small businesses operate in every Australian industry and employment sector — retail, hospitality, manufacturing, and professional services being some of the most common.

Most Small Business Owners have a heavy workload (at least in the first 5-8 years of business) managing daily operations, marketing, sales and production output. At the same time they oversee administration, HR and recruitment, safety, and compliance.

Future demand Medium
Average yearly income $56,160
Skill level Unknown

How do I become a small business owner?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
BSB40320

Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business
Online
10 months
$3,695
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Cafe or Restaurant Manager Department Manager Franchisee
Independent Contractor Office Manager Retail Manager Retail Supervisor Retail Team Leader Small Business Owner Store Manager Corporate Services Manager
+ 8 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Cafe or Restaurant Manager Department Manager Franchisee Independent Contractor Office Manager Retail Manager Retail Supervisor Retail Team Leader Small Business Owner Store Manager Corporate Services Manager + 8 more
BSB50120

Diploma of Business (Operations)
Online
12 months
$0 - $3,495
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Cafe or Restaurant Manager Franchisee Independent Contractor
Office Manager Project Coordinator Small Business Owner Operations Manager Operations Coordinator Area Manager Business Support Officer
+ 7 more
BSB50120

Diploma of Business (Business Development)
Online
12 months
$3,495 - $4,050
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Franchisee Independent Contractor Operations Manager
Project Coordinator Small Business Owner Business Development Manager
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Franchisee Independent Contractor Operations Manager Project Coordinator Small Business Owner Business Development Manager + 3 more

Bachelor of Applied Business (Management)
Online
24 months
$58,200
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Project Manager Operations Manager Small Business Owner
Team Leader Financial Analyst Business Development Manager Entrepreneur Sales Manager
+ 5 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Project Manager Operations Manager Small Business Owner Team Leader Financial Analyst Business Development Manager Entrepreneur Sales Manager + 5 more
BSB50120

Diploma of Business
On Campus, Online
12 months
$3,495 - $6,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Office Manager Project Coordinator Small Business Owner
Cafe or Restaurant Manager Franchisee Independent Contractor Governance Coordinator Scheduler Business Support Officer Regional Manager
+ 7 more
SIS50115

Diploma of Sport and Recreation Management
On Campus
12 months
$0
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Club Manager Small Business Owner Sports Development Officer
Sports Facility Manager Gym Manager Fitness Centre Manager Personal Trainer
+ 4 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Club Manager Small Business Owner Sports Development Officer Sports Facility Manager Gym Manager Fitness Centre Manager Personal Trainer + 4 more
SIR50116

Diploma of Retail Leadership
Blended, On Campus, Traineeship
12 - 24 months
$0 - $4,500
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Retail Team Leader Store Manager Cafe or Restaurant Manager
Small Business Owner Franchisee Department Manager Retail Manager Cluster Manager
+ 5 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Retail Team Leader Store Manager Cafe or Restaurant Manager Small Business Owner Franchisee Department Manager Retail Manager Cluster Manager + 5 more
11210NAT

Diploma of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Blended
12 months
$0
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Small Business Owner Franchisee Entrepreneur
Corporate Services Manager
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Small Business Owner Franchisee Entrepreneur Corporate Services Manager + 1 more

Graduate Certificate in Business
Blended, On Campus, Online
4 - 8 months
$0 - $33,336
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
General Manager Managing Director Senior Administrator
Small Business Owner Business Adviser Management Consultant Risk Manager Entrepreneur
+ 5 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
General Manager Managing Director Senior Administrator Small Business Owner Business Adviser Management Consultant Risk Manager Entrepreneur + 5 more
BSB30220

Certificate III in Entrepreneurship and New Business
Blended, On Campus, Online
6 - 24 months
$0 - $9,550
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Cafe or Restaurant Manager Small Business Owner Franchisee
Independent Contractor
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Cafe or Restaurant Manager Small Business Owner Franchisee Independent Contractor + 1 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Cafe or Restaurant Manager

Café or Restaurant Managers oversee daily operations, supervise staff, manage budgets, ensure compliance, and provide excellent customer service.

Avg yearly income $78,000
Skill level Unknown

Franchisee

Franchisees run businesses under a franchisor's brand, following strict procedures and managing operations, marketing, and compliance.

Avg yearly income $93,600
Skill level Unknown

Independent Contractor

Independent Contractors run their own businesses, providing services to clients while managing marketing, invoicing, and tax responsibilities.

Avg yearly income $80,600
Skill level Unknown

Entrepreneur

An Entrepreneur runs a business or social enterprise, turning unique ideas into profit while managing operations and building a customer base.

Avg yearly income $78,000
Skill level Unknown

Creative Entrepreneur

A Creative Entrepreneur develops innovative ideas in creative industries, managing projects and identifying market opportunities.

Avg yearly income $78,000
Skill level Unknown

Common questions

How much do Small Business Owners earn?

As a Small Business Owner you’ll pay yourself a salary from the business profits. Salaries vary according to industry and business profitability, but $1,080 per week ($56,160 annual salary) before tax is a realistic wage for Small Business Owners at this time.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

How many small businesses are there in Australia?

There are approximately 2.3 million small businesses operating in Australia right now — across all industries and employment sectors.

Source: Australian Small Business Ombudsman 2019

Author Image
Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

How do I become a Small Business Owner?

Get started as a Small Business Owner with the Certificate IV in Small Business Management, the Certificate IV in New Small Business or the Diploma of Business (Entrepreneurs and Startups). These courses take 6-12 months to complete and will help you develop a business, finance, and marketing plan for your business. Apart from skills and training, you’ll also need working capital and finance to buy an existing business, or get your startup off the ground.

Author Image
Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

Further reading

How to get qualified and start a career as an occupational therapist or physiotherapist in Australia

23rd December 2024

How to get a job in IT

14th November 2024

Your Guide to a Career in Human-Centred Design

21st October 2024

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