The 10 Industries with Largest Number of Businesses in Australia
| Rank | Industry | Number of Businesses for 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Self-Managed Superannuation Funds in Australia |
638,372 |
| 2 |
Professional Services in Australia |
275,989 |
| 3 |
Agribusiness in Australia |
186,182 |
| 4 |
Health Services in Australia |
165,662 |
| 5 |
Integrated Logistics in Australia |
114,090 |
| 6 |
Online Shopping in Australia |
106,636 |
| 7 |
Tourism in Australia |
100,859 |
| 8 |
Management Consulting in Australia |
94,910 |
| 9 |
Consumer Goods Retailing in Australia |
84,922 |
| 10 |
Office Property Operators in Australia |
69,824 |
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Sign me upIndustries with Largest Number of Businesses in Australia in 2026
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1. Self-Managed Superannuation Funds in Australia
Number of Businesses for 2026: 638,372
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2. Professional Services in Australia
Number of Businesses for 2026: 275,989
The Professional Services subdivision's performance is largely linked to overall economic conditions, which often determine business confidence and capital expenditure. Over the past few years, greater business profit and rising capital expenditure by the public sector have supported subdivision demand. However, construction projects that were delayed or cancelled because of surging construction expenses and labour scarcity adversely impacted several industries, including architectural servic...
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3. Agribusiness in Australia
Number of Businesses for 2026: 186,182
The Agribusiness sector continues to expand, driven by strong export markets, rising domestic meat prices and technological advancements. Key commodities, including beef, wheat, barley, dairy and wine, remain integral to global supply chains, with China, Japan and the United States among major buyers. While geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties pose risks, diversification into ASEAN and Indian markets is helping mitigate these challenges. The Agribusiness sector is also shifting to...
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4. Health Services in Australia
Number of Businesses for 2026: 165,662
The Health Services subdivision encompasses various health facilities and services. General hospitals generate more than half Australia's health services revenue. Other key revenue sources include general practitioners (GPs), clinical specialists and dentists. While demand for health services has surged in response to Australia’s ageing population, the pandemic created mixed demand within healthcare industries. Pathology services experienced strong revenue growth during 2020-21, whereas psych...
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5. Integrated Logistics in Australia
Number of Businesses for 2026: 114,090
The Integrated Logistics sector has experienced robust growth in recent years, fuelled by surging online shopping activity. The boom in online shopping began during the COVID-19 lockdowns and has continued through 2024-25, boosting demand for parcel delivery, distribution fulfilment and end-to-end logistics services. Sectorwide revenue is expected to have climbed at an annualised 1.0% over the five years through 2024-25 to reach $137.7 billion. This includes an anticipated 0.6% dip in 2024-25...
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6. Online Shopping in Australia
Number of Businesses for 2026: 106,636
Online shopping has cemented its place in the retail market, buoyed by rising adoption and better technology. 2024 data shows 9.8 million households shopping online, up from 8.2 million in 2019, a clear sign of growing penetration. This performance has benefited from safer payments, easier returns and smoother mobile access, while new competitors like Shein and Temu push prices down and keep pressure on margins. Augmented reality, chat-enabled service and social shopping are blurring the line...
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7. Tourism in Australia
Number of Businesses for 2026: 100,859
The Tourism industry has mounted a strong and steady recovery, shifting from pandemic-era lows to renewed growth and resilience. International visitor arrivals have returned to pre-pandemic levels, supported by a wave of major global events that have delivered intermittent boosts to accommodation, transport and attractions. From the trough in 2020-21, industry revenue has rebounded at an annualised 15.3% over the five years to 2025-26, reaching $213.1 billion, a reflection of the industry's i...
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8. Management Consulting in Australia
Number of Businesses for 2026: 94,910
The Australian Management Consulting industry is navigating a challenging period of subdued growth, with revenue expected to contract slightly in the short term due to external pressures. For 2024-25, the industry is expected to generate $45.8 billion in revenue, marking a 3.6% decrease from the previous financial year. This decline continues a trend of weakening performance, with the industry's revenue expected to have contracted at an annualised 0.9% over the five years through 2024-25. Key...
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9. Consumer Goods Retailing in Australia
Number of Businesses for 2026: 84,922
Consumer goods retailing has experienced significant shifts in recent years, largely fuelled by the rapid rise of online shopping. As consumers have increasingly embraced online platforms’ convenience and price competitiveness, traditional retailers have felt pressure to adapt. Ecommerce sales have climbed steadily, rising from a 9.9% share of total retail trade in 2020-21 to 11.8% in 2024-25 (latest data available). This transformation has created both opportunities and challenges, with reta...
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10. Office Property Operators in Australia
Number of Businesses for 2026: 69,824
Lingering post-pandemic market adjustments and a turbulent cash rate environment have reshaped the Office Property Operators industry, contributing to a decline in demand for conventional office space. The shift towards hybrid work has left secondary-grade assets vulnerable to higher vacancies and declining rents. In contrast, premium and A-grade buildings in prime CBD areas have remained comparatively resilient, supported by corporate tenants seeking central, efficient and sustainable workpl...
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Based on the expert analysis and our database of 750+ AU industries, IBISWorld presents a list of the Industries with Largest Number of Businesses in Australia in 2026
Industries with the Highest Profit Margin in 2026
Based on the expert analysis and our database of 750+ AU industries, IBISWorld presents a list of the Industries with Largest Number of Businesses in Australia in 2026
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