Business Research & Insights

Understandably, the last thing small businesses need is another overhead. But what if it saved you money in the long term – a lot of money? NAB Executive Small Business Ana Marinkovic explains the financial upside of reduced carbon emissions.

While female-led businesses are a growing economic force in Australia, they receive only 3% of venture capital funding. NAB Executive Small Business Ana Marinkovic explains what can be done about this.

Connect with other business owners and learn from the marketing, technology, finance, HR, and business management experts at the Small Business Australia Conference.

Rising costs are having a big impact on small business owners. The good news: there’s lots you can do to stay one step ahead.

The impact on SMEs

Very slow growth likely across the states in 2023-24

While the Federal Budget wasn’t as generous for small business as in times past, NAB Executive Small Business Ana Marinkovic encourages customers to make the most of what’s there.

Worrying signs of a slowing in activity

Hospitality business founders Bill Drakopoulos and Dave Henderson shared their experiences over a meal for NAB’s Business Founders Talk series. Hear what they had to say about the passion and drive required to build up their respective businesses.

Watch the webinar now.

Cash flow management is a perennial issue for small businesses. But right now the stakes are even higher. NAB Executive Small Business Ana Marinkovic shares her key insights into ways to manage your cash flow.

How big is the issue for SMEs?

The impact on SMEs

Our economists stayed up all night so they could break down the Federal Budget for Australian businesses. Watch their take.

Business owners can look forward to energy bill relief, cash flow support and an extension of the instant asset write-off as part of this year's Federal Budget measures.

Conditions slowly normalising but still high for now.

How prevalent are attacks & scams & how are businesses & consumers responding?

Little improvement in cost pressures for SMEs in Q1

Conditions hold up, price pressures ease

Population rebounding but growth slowdown looms

Confidence volatile but conditions still strong

New-year confidence boost as resilience continues

Conditions eased for SMEs in late 2022.

How big is the issue for SMEs & what are they doing to overcome these challenges?

The impact on SMEs & how business is responding.

Economy beginning to slow; inflation peak passed

NAB senior leaders discuss the 2023 business outlook and where the opportunities will lie.

Confidence now negative, despite strong conditions.

The impacts on business & supporting local manufacturing to address them

Conditions still strong but confidence weaker

Easing conditions for small firms, despite strong demand

COVID disruptions continue to fade while growth remains strong and labour markets are tight everywhere

The smart plays that are seeing a cosmetic medicine operator deliver to 20,000 customers a year.

Conditions roar as costs show signs of easing

No signs of slow down yet as strong conditions roll on.

A volatile night where earlier price action in Asia was largely reversed.

A broad rise in core global yields has been the big news overnight, fuelled by a better-than-expected US ISM report and news UK PM Truss is planning a huge debt-funded fiscal stimulus.

Eurozone bonds yields and stocks falling on the latest jump in energy prices – both oil and gas – following confirmation the NordSteeam1 gas pipeline will remain shut while Russian sanctions are in place.

A goldilocks payrolls report failed to support risk assets on Friday, with equities and the USD quickly reversing on news that Russia was not restarting gas flows through the Nord Stream pipeline

The bond sell-off shows no signs of abating with a stronger than expected US ISM Manufacturing helping to drive the US 10yr yield up.

August has been a terrible month for balance fund investors with no diversification gains from holding a portfolio of equities and bonds.

Goldman’s noted inflation could hit 22.4% y/y in the UK in early 2023 if gas prices don’t moderate and if there is little in the way of cost of living relief.

Confidence & conditions rally as economy strains capacity limits

Confidence falls despite strong post-Omicron conditions.

The impact on business, and how SMEs believe supply chain issues can best be solved.

How big an issue are they for SMEs, what are their expectations & how does business think they can be resolved?

Business confidence falls further while conditions hold up.

Global Central Banks have been lifting interest rates to combat 40-year high inflation numbers. What does this mean for commercial borrowers? Watch now.

Global Central Banks have been lifting interest rates to combat 40-year high inflation numbers. What does this mean for commercial borrowers? 

Confidence eases but conditions and outlook remain strong.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has started raising rates for the first time since November 2010. What does this mean for commercial borrowers? Watch now.

Conditions rise further on Recreation & Personal Services recovery.

Omicron weighed on SME conditions and confidence in Q1.

Conditions surge higher as costs, prices hit records.

COVID disruptions have continued but State economies have been resilient and labour markets are strong.

Activity, employment strengthen as prices push higher.

This NAB Private Wealth webinar delivers insights into Cyber Security and Fraud.

SME businesses shared in post-Delta rebound

Peter Loukas, Property Executive NAB presents his insights on the residential property survey.

Conditions deteriorate as Omicron peaks.

We look at the domestic and global interest rates outlook for 2022 and why interest rate risk management is an important consideration for many businesses.

Omicron dampens confidence, price pressures continue.

Conditions stabilise as reopening progresses

Housing values continued to rise last month, but conditions are diversifying as stock levels rise and affordability pressures mount.

NAB senior leaders discuss the economy and the opportunities for business in 2022.

Lower costs, simpler processes and more scope for growth… just some of the benefits your small business might see from embracing the latest tech solutions.

Conditions and confidence rise out of lockdown.

Australian housing values rose 1.5% last month, a similar result to August and September. However, the trend shows the market is continuing to slowly lose momentum since moving through a peak monthly rate of growth in March 2021, when values were up 2.8%.

SME conditions fall under lockdowns.

Confidence rebounds on the back of roadmaps, vaccination.

Australian housing values rose 17.6% higher over the first nine months of the year and 20.3% higher over the past 12 months. The annual growth rate is now tracking at the fastest pace since the year ending June 1989.

Confidence and conditions tick up.

Despite many parts of the country remaining in some level of lockdown, the housing boom continued to roll on, with national home values rising another 1.5% last month.

In our latest report, we look at what small business needs to succeed.

Although the pace of housing growth has slowed, values continue to rise at a rate that is well above average across most areas of the country.

Confidence and conditions fall further with ongoing lockdowns.

Very strong SME business conditions in Q2.

Cash may have once been king, but do current digital payment trends mean its reign is almost over?

Confidence falls on virus fears.

Housing market ended the financial year on a high note. Despite another month of strong gains, there are signs that some heat is coming out of the market

A new phase of growth emerges across the states following a fast rebound.

Good for you, good for your new hire, good for Australia. Bringing a subsidised apprentice on board can be a winning trifecta – here’s how to get it right.

It’s do or die when it comes to connecting digitally with today’s consumers. With a recent report revealing many in professional services lack a clear digital marketing strategy, we look at what it takes to succeed.

Business conditions continue to boom.

CoreLogic’s national Home Value Index up 2.2% in May - a stronger result compared with the 1.8% lift in April.

Unleashing your creative side can help your small business thrive. Our expert tips show you how.

Business confidence and conditions hit new highs.

Housing values are still rising at a rapid pace, up 6.8% over the past three months to be 10.2% higher than the COVID low in September last year.

Confidence pulls back from record high, but conditions lift.

Lower costs, greater productivity and more profitability are just three of the benefits entrepreneur Mat Stillone’s automation investment has unleashed.

Business conditions reach a record high.

The national home value index recorded a 2.8% rise, the fastest rate of appreciation since October 1988.

A diverse workforce is one thing… but it’s cognitive diversity that can truly set your business apart.

Business conditions bounce, confidence rises further.

Momentum continued to build across Australian housing markets last month, as values rise at the fastest rate in seventeen years.

Global pandemic boosts feeling of Australia as the lucky country.

SME confidence hits a record high as conditions rebound

A strategy known as business process improvement – or BPI – could help deliver rapid benefits to your operations. Bill Lang, of Small Business Australia, discusses ways to put it into practice. 

Housing values continued to rise through the first month of 2021

Business confidence rises, while conditions pull back.

Business conditions improve to multi-year highs.

Recovery from COVID-19 continues across Australia

It’s never been cheaper and easier to upgrade the digital side of doing business. Use this expert guide to choose where to prioritise your IT spending.

NAB senior leaders discuss the economy and the opportunities for business in 2021. Watch the video now.

Australia's housing market continued to recover, with dwelling values up 0.8% over the month.

Further gains as the economy continues to open up

COVID-19 deepened the faith business clients have in their accountants. What better time to build that advisory business?

Could a mindset shift help your business power through 2021? Experts say yes, and here are six key ways of thinking to try.

Regional housing markets continued to outperform the capital cities in October.

Business confidence rose to its highest level since mid-2019, led by a large gain in Victoria.

SME Conditions & Confidence better in Q3, but still weak.

As they rapidly evolve to meet the challenge of COVID-19, so Australia’s accountants, lawyers and financial service experts have been there to support their clients’ survival.

Consumer confidence increased, new listings rose, and six of the eight capital cities recorded a rise in home values over the month.

Australian home values moved through a fourth month of COVID-induced falls.

Calling today’s tech leaders and future disruptors. Nominations are now open for the Deloitte Technology Fast 50.

Latest restrictions will hit Victoria’s economy hard, but COVID-19 has impacted all states.

Record low interest rates, government support and loan repayment holidays for distressed borrowers have helped to insulate the housing market from a more significant downturn.

The SME sector sees a large COVID hit.

As we face an uncertain future, there are new approaches to business success.

New research released by NAB identifies the reform needed to unlock growth for SMEs.

Despite values being down in June, estimates of market activity showed a further improvement from the April low.

Podcast: How can small businesses bounce back from COVID-19?

Despite the loss of momentum in housing value growth, buyer numbers have shown a solid rise in May.

Listen to new podcast: As restrictions ease, how can small businesses rebuild their finances?

Market activity dropped sharply from the second half of March and through April.

New podcast: How small businesses are surviving COVID-19.

No state or territory will be spared from COVID-19 economic fall-out.

March was the lowest monthly gain in national housing values and likely sets the tone for housing conditions over the coming months.

SME confidence declines ahead of the COVID-19 disruption.

Housing values surged by 1.1% with 5 capital cities reaching new record-highs last month.

Uncovering the business impact of the bushfires through the eyes of over 500 Australian SMEs.

By unleashing the power of big data, artificial intelligence is helping businesses supercharge their performance.

Its population is under nine million but Switzerland has topped world innovation for nine years running. Why?

SME conditions and confidence edge lower.

Housing market update shows the rebound in Australian housing values has continued into 2020.

NAB’s annual pulse check of life in Australia confirms it is, with Australians in strong agreement that our country remains a great place to live.

The housing market recovery has continued to gather some pace through with our national index up 1.7% last month.

Latest report shows a 1.2% rise in national dwelling values, delivering the fourth straight month of rising values. 

Housing market made further progress towards a recovery in September, recording the third consecutive month of gains.

The Australian economy grew by 1.4% over the year to the June 2019, its weakest growth since 2009.

Recovery in housing values accelerated in August.

NAB’s inaugural Legal Services Industry Survey offers key insights into what SMEs truly need and value.

Despite an up-tick in confidence, conditions deteriorate.

The next wave of digital marketing is voice. Is your business equipped to ride it?

Believe it or not, working long hours can be bad for business – as well as health. Should you explore the shorter working week?

The sharing economy is going gangbusters and entrepreneurial Australians are securing a slice of the action.

Conditions ease further, confidence turns negative

Deterioration in conditions in most states, with current momentum negative. Household sector weakness evident, investment still ok (outside mining), while agri. facing easing prices and needs rain. Housing sector downturn, population growth centred on the eastern states, agricultural prices easing.

NAB’s view is that prices will decline further over the next year or so - led by further declines in Sydney and Melbourne. We also see the adjustment continuing in an orderly manner, with prices remaining well up on 5 years ago.

Technology is changing the way accounting professionals work and the relationship they have with their clients. Cloud accounting business specialist Lielette Calleja shares the secrets of her own success and suggests ways to make the most of continuing transformation.

New NAB data reveals key factors for the wellbeing of small business owners.

Growth capital is more important than ever. But while we’re seeing new and innovative forms of funding stepping up to meet this need, it’s clear small and medium-sized businesses must step up too.

Confidence and conditions continue to ease

Business conditions continued to ease in Q4 and while they remain above average, forward looking indicators point to potential further weakness.

New research shows what Australians fear most for our nation’s future.

Good advice that you just have to take... six entrepreneurs share the words of wisdom that helped them turn their ideas into thriving businesses.

Total NAB customer spending grew 7.0% y/y in Q3 2018 - up from 5.6% in the previous quarter and 3.0% in the same quarter a year ago.

The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index gained 0.8% in October on a month-on-month basis, rebounding from a much weaker 0.2% in September.

In seasonally adjusted terms, at 0.3%, online retail sales slowed in September. The 12 months to growth rate is also slower.

Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) business conditions edged lower in Q3 2018 to +11, while SME business confidence fell to +2pts. While conditions have eased over the past two quarters, they remain well above average, though confidence has declined to below average levels.

Keen to expand your business’s global footprint? If so, there are compelling reasons to consider heading to the UK, especially if you own a tech start-up, with an exciting new competition just launched.

The business conditions index rose by 2pts to +15 index points in August, recovering some of the ground lost in recent months. Business confidence fell 3pts to +4 index points and is now below average.

Online sales growth on par with June, faster over the year

Total NAB customer spending grew 5.6% y/y in Q2 2018, down from 6.8% in the previous quarter and 3.9% in the same quarter a year ago. It grew faster in metropolitan (6.5%) than regional (5.1%) areas.

Our expectation for the Australian economy is that GDP will increase by just under 3.0% in 2018 and 2019.

Vision, teamwork and a passion for producing the perfect pie have helped the Porter family transform the old Yatala Pies pie shop into a baking powerhouse.

Passion, history, ambition. There can be many reasons business owners follow their dream. We asked five company heads to explain their ‘why’.

Consumer anxiety up steeply in Q2. Overall spending tightens as concerns about the economy and our household financial positions grow. Spending on utilities a key expense, and growing.

The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index gained 0.9% in July on a month-on-month basis, following a gain of 0.5% in June.

The global boom in SMEs in a world hungry for quality Australian goods and services is creating opportunities for local businesses prepared to look beyond their own backyard.

The business conditions index fell by 2pts to +12 index points in July, continuing its run of declines since April. Business confidence ticked up 1pt to +7 index points, an around average level.

In seasonally adjusted terms, at 1.2%, online retail sales slowed in June. The 12 months to growth rate is also a bit lower.

Business conditions ease slightly.

Favourable business conditions persist.

The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index gained 0.5% in June on a month-on-month basis, following gain of 0.6% in May (revised from 0.8%).

Participants in the Professional Services Awards receive independent, verified feedback from their clients, not to mention publicity and a morale boost if they win. Entries open this month and, with a fast and easy application process, there is no reason for your firm not to join.

The NAB Residential Property Index fell sharply in the June quarter 2018, down 17 points to +6 to sit at its lowest level since mid-2016 and well below its long-term average (+14).

The business conditions index ticked up by 1pt to +15 index points in June, after easing in the previous month. The business confidence edged down 1pts to +6 index points, to be around its long-run average level.

Thanks to social media, more people are pursuing the job they want, where they want it. Those who prefer country living no longer have to wonder why they’re going to work in the city each day simply to pursue a dream career – as this rural film-maker recently discovered.

Helping out a local sports team with sponsorship can build strong relationships with potential customers – pharmacist Silvana Gittani bet her marketing budget on it. Her success proves how many business, regardless of size, can use strategic marketing to engage with their community and forge lasting business ties.

NAB Online Retail Sales Index (NORSI) slowed slightly in May (+1.2% mom s.a.) from stronger growth in April (1.6%). 12 months to growth was also slower in May, with sales up 17.2% compared to April’s 12 month to growth of 18.4%. While slowing, trend online retail sales is still much stronger compared to the same period a year ago.

The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index gained 0.8% in May on a month-on-month basis, following a flat read in April (revised from -0.6%).

Hard work and commercial nous acquired on the fly have helped Queenslander Carmel Sales turn a small-time cabinetmaking business into a multimillion-dollar manufacturing powerhouse.

The business conditions index decreased by 6pts to +15 index points, easing back from the historical highs seen in April. The business confidence index fell by 5pts to +6 index points, to be around its long-run average level.

Home ownership is a key to wellbeing according to new research from NAB

NAB Online Retail Sales Index (NORSI) accelerated in April (+1.4% mom s.a.) from stronger growth in March(1.1%).

Australia is a high performer in academic research – yet when it comes to commercialising that research, we rank last in the industrialised world. It’s time for change, says the Chairman of NAB.

Total NAB customer spending grew 6.8% y/y in Q1 2018, up from 5.0% in the previous quarter and 2.0% compared to the same quarter a year ago.

Do you own a small business that’s selling overseas or importing products and equipment into Australia? Trade finance can help you make the most of opportunities without tying up your valuable working capital.

Rising to the challenge of parenting four children with Type 1 diabetes prompted Elissa Renouf to found Diabete-ezy, a rapidly expanding business whose products help other sufferers manage the condition. We spend a day with her in export and expansion mode.

Australians rate restaurants, movies and travel as the most positive experiences their money can buy, according to new research from NAB.

Nationally dwelling values continued their downwards trend last month; the seventh consecutive month on month decline since the national index series peaked in September last year.

The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index was weaker in April, down 0.6% on a month on month basis in March.

A big order could completely transform your business but there’s a limit to how much anyone (or any small business) can handle. BDO partner Dr Mark Pizzacalla and Total Image Group CEO Pamela Jabbour discuss preparation, parameters and being strong enough to say ‘no’.

Keen to export to Asia? Make sure you understand what’s involved and how best to prepare.

In seasonally adjusted terms, at 0.9%, online retail sales accelerated in March. The 12 months to growth rate is however a bit slower.

Business conditions at record levels.

With 1.2 million visitors injecting $10 billion into the Australian economy each year, and almost one third of our international students now coming from China, Chinese custom is big business. Alibaba Australia’s MD explains Alipay.

Total NAB customer spending accelerated to 5.0% y/y in Q4 2017, from 3.0% y/y in the previous quarter with spending growth up across all metropolitan and regional areas.

Heading overseas isn’t the only way to grow your business. Here are five ways to consider pumping up your revenue on home ground.

Fitting out or refurbishing a work space? It’s a big outlay. These tips can help you spend wisely.

From a lick of paint to renting out rooms – 10 ideas on boosting the value of your own building.

Do you own an expanding small business? Here are some tips to get more talent on board without sending your direct costs soaring.

Insights into the mindset of Australian consumers – anxieties around future spending and savings plans, household finances, the economy, financial concerns & how these are impacting spending behaviours and levels of financial hardship.

Business conditions strong and businesses have their say on tax.

Australians remain positive about their lives today but fear the future.

Our small and medium businesses are critical to Australia’s prosperity, so it is important that we put in place the right settings that enable our entrepreneurs to have the greatest chance of success.

Setting goals can drive business success – but it doesn’t come naturally to many small business owners. Consultant and author Stephen Barnes shares tips on how to get started, how to set effective goals and how to motivate your staff to reach their targets.

What is it that drives, creates and sustains great business growth? Four leaders with business growth in common share what lies behind their success.

Melbourne-based start-up Culture Amp is flying high after raising $36 million. So how did they manage it?

Business conditions strong and businesses have their say on tax.

The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index grew 1.2% on a month on month basis in March – slower than January or February.

Their big break: transformative moments for some of history’s best-known products.

Two Australians – a doctor and an engineer – launched the ‘private healthcare in tough conditions’ industry and grew a business that now fights Ebola and runs warzone hospitals.

Australian dwelling values held firm in March, with the combined capitals continuing a softening trend, recording a 0.2% fall, while regional markets saw a 0.4% rise in values over the month.

Business conditions come off the boil, but still hot.

More Aussies are opening their wallets to charity, says NAB report.

Making wine is a very personal venture for this Barossa Valley-born and bred artisan combining two passions in his small-batch business.

The NAB Residential Property Index rose 3 points to +23 in the March quarter 2018 and remains well above its long-term average (+14).

NAB Online Retail Sales Index (NORSI) slowed in February  (+0.8% mom s.a.) from stronger growth in January (1.6%).

Online dermatology consults for rural Australians… how a ground-breaking new Teledermatologist platform is delivering specialist care to rural and remote patients.

The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index continued to improve into February, a welcome trend after the weak sales experienced at the end of 2018.

Brothers Hamish and Gavin dreamed of taking their Aussie backyard turf company big and supplying world-class stadiums. Today they’re internationally recognised suppliers in their field.

The business conditions index moved 3pts higher to +21 index points. This is a record high since the monthly survey commenced in March 1997, although the same measure in NAB’s quarterly survey reached this level in 1994.

Nationally, dwelling values recorded their fifth consecutive monthly decline in February, taking the value of housing 0.8% lower since the market peaked in September last year.

Fourth-generation Australian winemaker Colin has spent 50 years among the vines and says there’s no place on earth he’d rather be.

Watching women’s disappointment when she prescribed therapeutic shoes for their problematic ankles and feet inspired Brisbane podiatrist Caroline McCulloch to create a range of footwear that’s as stylish as it is comfortable.

Seeing the benefits her care provides for patients has been the driving force behind 30 years in private practice for North Parramatta Physiotherapy & Sports Injuries principal, Mary Knapman.

Creating a place that makes customers feel as good as the food tastes has been the driving force behind Harvest, the Newrybar deli/bakery/restaurant three friends bought and transformed into a destination dining experience.

New research challenges old adage – can money buy happiness?

The award-winning Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation has created jobs in some of Australia’s most isolated communities. CEO Alastair King explains how ALPA is creating the jobs that are key to building successful communities in remote locations.

NAB Online Retail Sales Index (NORSI) rebounded strongly in January (+1.5% mom s.a.) from a revised contraction (-1.8%) in December.

Accountants should be reassured that most SMEs view them as trustworthy. Yet, at the same time, they may wish to reconsider how they can better help their business clients. NAB’s inaugural Australian Accounting Industry Survey offers telling insights into what accountants are doing well – and where they could better respond to what their customers need and value.

The NAB Cashless Retail Sales Index shows improvement in January following a weak December.

Five years since switching from winemaking to vinegar-making, Ian Henderson has gone from being a one-man start-up to opening a multimillion-dollar world class facility to keep up with international demand.

Strong improvement in SME business conditions in Q4 2017, while confidence retreated a touch.

CoreLogic reported further slippage in dwelling values over the first month of 2018, with national dwelling values recording their second consecutive month on month decline. After dwelling values held firm in October and November, they slipped by a third of a percent in both December and January to be down 0.7% from their peak.

Fond childhood memories combined with a holiday hitch inspired Justin Hales to create Camplify, the fast-growing caravan-sharing startup proving a winner in Australia and now taking on the UK.

Elevated business conditions & confidence point to a robust business sector in Australia at present.