MEDIA RELEASE
29 October 2013	Embargo: 11.30 am (Canberra time)	183/2013

Over two million people either own or operate one or more businesses in Australia, according to new figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Karen Connaughton from the ABS said that since 2006-07, the average individual income for a business operator has increased from $799 per week to $999 per week in 2011-12.

“Our report shows the average business owners or operators were men (67 per cent) aged between 45 and 54 and women (33 per cent) aged between 35 and 44. "

"Over 80 per cent of men worked full time in their businesses in contrast to 40 per cent of woman working full time.

“Based on 2011 Census findings, business operators are 96 per cent likely to run a small business, employ between 1 to 19 staff, and are educated to Year 12 or equivalent, " Ms Connaughton added.

Over 70 per cent of business owners and operators were born in Australia, but for those not born in Australia the most common period of arrival was in between 1981 to 1990.

Family operated businesses accounted for 87 per cent of businesses, and 42 per cent of these had dependants.

In addition, approximately 40 per cent of business operators indicted they spent time caring for a child or children without being paid.

The Counts of Australian Business Operators, 2011-12 publication collects information on small business operators including income, educational level, family status, region of birth and regional geographic status.

Further information is available in Counts of Australian Business Operators (cat. no. 8175.0).

Media note: Please ensure when reporting on ABS data that you attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.