The Federal Budget presents an important opportunity to support and empower Australia’s small businesses.
And whilst this year’s budget included some welcome measures, there remains significant untapped potential to not just support, but to fully recognise and elevate the role small businesses play in driving our economy.
Small businesses are grappling with rising operational costs, economic uncertainty, and shifting consumer behaviours, so it was positive to see the Government’s personal income tax cuts will give sole traders and microbusinesses a bit of breathing room, and the $150 energy rebate for around 1 million small businesses is a practical gesture.
Seeing continued investment in education and Free TAFE is also encouraging—because better-trained workers and business owners are key to building a more resilient, digitally savvy economy. This year’s Budget offered some welcome support—but ultimately we’d like to see more support for Aussie small businesses.
For all the good news, there’s a glaring gap: no meaningful new support to help small businesses digitise and adopt emerging technologies like AI. This year’s Budget offered no new digital adoption incentives: no return of the bipartisan Technology Investment Boost, no AI-readiness funding, and no new programs to support small businesses in embracing e-commerce, accounting, or customer engagement tools that are fast becoming non-negotiables.
Digital transformation isn’t a luxury. It’s essential. Our Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Insights survey—spanning Australia, the US, Canada and the UK—has made it clear: digital tools are critical for productivity, efficiency, and future competitiveness.
Even the Digital Solutions – Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS) program, which has been a helpful, low-cost entry point for many businesses, was simply maintained—not extended or expanded. With current funding set to end in mid-2026, there’s a real risk of a support cliff just as AI adoption becomes critical for business survival.
Meanwhile, other jurisdictions are charging ahead. Singapore’s GoDigital initiative is a great example – it aims to foster a digitally empowered and inclusive society, helping businesses integrate technology, upskill the workforce, and ensure a safe and inclusive digital environment. It shows what’s possible when grant funding is tied to outcomes. Australia needs to be leading in this space—not playing catch-up.
The path forward is clear: we need a Digital Boost incentive—a dedicated, future-focused program to help small businesses adopt AI-ready tools and upskill their teams. It’s a model with proven results and past bipartisan support.
At Intuit, we’re committed to doing our part. We’re proud to back small businesses every day through our QuickBooks and Mailchimp platforms. But technology alone can’t overcome structural challenges. Government policy must keep pace with the realities small businesses face today.
Short-term relief is welcome—but it’s not enough. Small businesses need a long-term, future-ready agenda that sets them up to thrive in the digital economy.
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