8127.0 - Australian Small Business Operators - Findings from the 2005 and 2006 Characteristics of Small Business Surveys, 2005-06
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 06/08/2008
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This publication represents the final release of data from COSBO surveys. Further information regarding ABS' plans for the release of business operator statistics is presented towards the end of this Article. For the purpose of this publication, the term "small business operator" refers to an operator of a business with less than twenty employees. In addition, the publication excludes all small business operators who operate Agricultural businesses. SELECTED FINDINGS FOR 2006 It is estimated that in June 2006 there were 1,646,344 small business operators. Sex of Small Business Operators In June 2006, 68% of small business operators were male and 32% were female. Age of Small Business Operators In June 2006, 58% of all small business operators were aged between 30 and 50 inclusive. There were 33% of small business operators aged greater than 50 and 9% aged less than 30. Hours Worked by Small Business Operators Statistics relating to hours worked are collected by asking the operator the total number of hours which are "usually" worked by the operator. In June 2006, 67% of all small business operators worked full-time hours (defined as working 35 hours or more per week) while 33% of all small business operators worked part-time hours (less than 35 hours per week). Birthplace of Small Business Operators In June 2006, 71% of all small business operators were born in Australia, with the remaining 29% born overseas. Number of Small Business Operations Conducted In June 2006, 92% of all small business operators conducted one business, 6% operated two businesses and 2% operated three or more businesses. COMPARISONS OF SELECTED DATA ITEMS FROM THE 2005 and 2006 CHARACTERISTICS OF SMALL BUSINESS SURVEYS
The comparative tables illustrate the high degree of stability between the selected data items from the 2005 and 2006 COSBO surveys. CHANGES TO ABS BUSINESS OPERATOR STATISTICS Initiatives in the Field of Business Operator Statistics In future, ABS intends to release a greater range of information in respect of Australia's business operator population. In particular, ABS has plans to release updated business operator counts in the form of a new product entitled Counts of Australian Business Operators (CABO). CABO is currently scheduled for release in September 2008. CABO will present a range of data pertaining to business operators (including small business operators) using a range of different data sources. In particular, CABO will source data from the 2006 Census of Population and Housing as well as recent ABS Labour Force Supplementary Surveys. Both counts and proportions of Australia's business operators will be presented for a wide range of variables. It is proposed that CABO will be updated every five years, following release of data from the five-yearly Census of Population and Housing. Survey Sources Statistics on small business operators have been derived from a variety of data sources, including COSBO. This section of the Article discusses the role of COSBO and other sources in meeting the needs of users interested in statistics on small business operators. Discontinuation of the Characteristics of Small Business Survey (ABS cat. no 8127.0) The ABS has decided to discontinue the Characteristics of Small Business (COSBO) survey, which has been conducted since 1995. This decision was driven by the development of superior data sources, and the findings of a methodological review of the 2005 and 2006 COSBO surveys. This Article marks the final release of data from COSBO. The review compared data from the 2005 and 2006 COSBO surveys with data from the 2006 Census of Population and Housing and a range of Labour Force Supplementary Surveys. It concluded that, while some data items collected continue to provide an ongoing and accurate picture of the changing nature of the Australian small business and small business operator populations, a more consistent picture was provided by the alternate data sources. Specifically, it was determined that proportions of small business operators derived from the 2005 and 2006 COSBO surveys closely aligned with proportions from the alternate data sources in respect of: sex of operators; age of operators; (usual) hours worked by operators; birthplace; and number of business operations conducted. These proportions have been reproduced in this Article. While the discontinuation of COSBO would normally represent a gap in ABS' small business and small business operator statistics, we note that a range of other outputs relating to both of these statistical fields have been, or are currently being, developed. Preliminary analysis of these newer sources suggests that they generally contain more robust data compared to data released from COSBO. Alternative Sources Discontinuation of COSBO enables ABS' to redirect resources to develop newer and more robust statistics pertaining to small businesses and small business operators. It also allows ABS to better service additional user needs across both of these fields of statistics. ABS has been focussing on producing more consistent and contemporary business demography outputs in recent years. This is promoting the provision of more accurate and consistent statistical advice to users, while simultaneously reducing the burden on respondents. ABS' pending release of CABO in September 2008 is expected to provide users with a new and contemporary source of information pertaining to Australia's business operators (including small business operators). ABS therefore recommends the use of CABO data for all future data needs pertaining to counts and proportions of Australia's business operators. Users of COSBO data may also be interested in a range of other initiatives underway in relation to counts and characteristics data of small business. A listing of new publications (which cover both counts and characteristics data for small businesses and their operators) is provided below. 8165.0 Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits [(cat. no. 8165.0) or CABEE], provides users with an annual snapshot of Australia's actively trading businesses. CABEE uses administrative data sourced from the Australian Business Register (ABR), which includes information about a wide range of business entities throughout Australia. CABEE provides a more comprehensive count of Australia's business population than COSBO. The data source for CABEE, the ABR, provides data on all Australian businesses (i.e. it is a Census), while COSBO sources data through a survey of households. Therefore, estimates from COSBO were subject to sampling error. CABEE also has the added benefit of alleviating the provider load of respondents given its exclusive use of administrative data. A range of CABEE data pertaining to small businesses is available free for download from the ABS website. In addition, a customised data service is also available. For further information, please refer to the latest release of Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits, Jun 2003 - Jun 2007 (cat. no. 8165.0) Business Longitudinal Data ABS has developed a Business Longitudinal Database (BLD). The BLD comprises a time series of characteristics and financial data for a sample of businesses. Data is sourced from the Business Characteristics Survey (BCS), taxation data (including Business Activity Statement and Business Income Tax data), as well as data on exports and imports from the Australian Customs Service. This will allow the production of range of products which will provide users with details of change in the characteristics and performance of small and medium Australian businesses over time. Data from the BLD will be released in the form of specific analytical papers and in a confidentialised unit record file (CURF). The BLD, or the BCS, which forms part of the BLD, will enable the production of a variety of outputs covering a range of business demographic topics. Some of the more recent releases from the BLD or BCS are discussed below. 8164.0 Discussion paper: The first iteration of the Business Longitudinal Database, 2004-05
8167.0 Selected Characteristics of Australian Business, 2005-06
FURTHER INFORMATION For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070, email <client.services@abs.gov.au> or Ashley Bartlett on Canberra (02) 6252 5402, email <integration.nsc/bsc.wdb@abs.gov.au> RELATIVE STANDARD ERROR ESTIMATES
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