It has been an absolute pleasure to serve as your Minister for Small and Family Business.
Over the past four years, I have had the opportunity to meet with thousands of small business owners across South Australia and to hear directly about the opportunities and challenges small businesses in our state are facing.
This feedback played a pivotal role in the development of South Australia’s landmark $22 million Small Business Strategy released in 2023.
The Strategy has been an enormous success and nearly 16,500 small businesses have been supported to grow or start their businesses through its practical, targeted support.
At the same time, our Women in Business program has given thousands of South Australian women the tools, networks and confidence to take their businesses to the next level.
Small businesses are the engine room of our economy and we have seen more than 10,000 new businesses open in South Australia over the past four years, taking the number to over 160,000 small businesses now operating in our state.
This is a huge achievement and we have come a long way from where we started in 2022.
When this journey began, many small businesses were still reeling from some of the toughest years in recent memory. That’s why our government created the Office for Small and Family Business, to provide small business owners navigating change, growth, and recovery with a one-stop shop for support.
Through bushfires, floods, drought, algal bloom impacts and economic challenges in Whyalla, we have stood beside regional and metropolitan businesses alike.
And in 2026, South Australia has the fastest growing economy in the country.
For three years running, the Business Council of Australia has named South Australia the best place in the nation to do business. Consumer confidence is strong, business conditions are leading the country, and small business growth is outpacing the national average.
To everyone who has contacted me, shared their experiences, attended a roundtable, stopped for a chat or welcomed me into their business: thank you. Your passion and your perseverance is inspiring, and I wish you all the very best for your future.
Hon. Andrea Michaels MP
Minister for Small and Family Business
