Tom Willis is an award-winning marketing leader and Co-founder of Lawpath. Tom’s journey journey includes steering several entrepreneurial projects and addressing the unique challenges faced by small businesses. As the Chief Marketing Officer at Lawpath, Tom has been pivotal in shaping the company’s marketing strategy and business growth.
The best cities to start a business in NSW in FY26, ranked by growth in new business registrations, are Camden, the Central Coast, Cessnock, Port Stephens, Mid-Coast, Penrith, Wollongong, Blacktown, Liverpool and Lake Macquarie. The Western Sydney growth corridor, the Hunter and the Central Coast now do most of the heavy lifting.
Picking where to base a business feels like a gut call, so most people default to wherever they already live. That leaves money on the table. Where a local economy is adding people, homes and infrastructure fastest is where new customers show up first, and the Lawpath New Business Index shows exactly where that is happening.
- Camden led NSW, with new registrations up 42.5%. They rose from 2,669 in FY25 to 3,804 in FY26 on the Lawpath New Business Index.
- The growth story has moved to the Hunter and Central Coast. Cessnock, Port Stephens, Mid-Coast and Lake Macquarie all made the top ten, alongside the Western Sydney corridor of Camden, Penrith, Blacktown and Liverpool.
- NSW registrations more than tripled in five years. They climbed from about 131,800 in FY21 to 443,300 in FY26, a rise of 236%, and grew 29.3% in the last year alone.
- Volume and growth are different races. Blacktown led the top ten on sheer numbers with 23,075, while Sydney, Parramatta and Canterbury-Bankstown recorded even more but grew slower.
- Most of these businesses are small. Across the top ten, 54% to 64% are non-employing sole operators, and construction is the number one industry in nine of them.
How we ranked the top 10 cities to start a business in NSW
Two datasets sit behind this list. The first is the Lawpath New Business Index, which tracks new business registrations by postcode across Australia and rolls them up to local government areas. The second is the Australian Bureau of Statistics Counts of Australian Businesses, released in December 2025, which counts every operating business by industry, staff numbers and turnover.
We took every NSW local government area with at least 2,500 new registrations in FY26, then ranked them by year-on-year growth. The 2,500 floor keeps the list to genuine cities and larger centres, rather than small shires that can post big percentages off a low base.
We then cross-checked each area against the ABS count of active businesses. One caveat worth naming: registrations are recorded against a business owner’s address postcode, while the ABS counts businesses by their main operating location. In fast-growing outer areas like Cessnock, that can push annual registrations close to or above the ABS active count, so read the two figures as complementary rather than identical.
The 10 fastest-growing places to start a business in NSW (FY26)
| # | City / LGA | Region | New businesses FY26 | YoY growth | 5-yr growth | Active (ABS 2025) | Top industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camden | South West Sydney | 3,804 | +42.5% | +392% | 11,711 | Construction |
| 2 | Central Coast | Central Coast | 10,052 | +39.3% | +272% | 27,066 | Construction |
| 3 | Cessnock | Hunter Valley | 4,777 | +39.3% | +316% | 3,626* | Construction |
| 4 | Port Stephens | Hunter | 2,715 | +38.7% | +243% | 5,254 | Construction |
| 5 | Mid-Coast | Mid North Coast | 2,723 | +38.3% | +188% | 7,519 | Construction |
| 6 | Penrith | Western Sydney | 10,341 | +38.2% | +321% | 16,786 | Construction |
| 7 | Wollongong | Illawarra | 14,188 | +38.2% | +300% | 16,278 | Construction |
| 8 | Blacktown | Western Sydney | 23,075 | +36.3% | +306% | 35,898 | Transport & warehousing |
| 9 | Liverpool | Western Sydney | 8,769 | +36.2% | +290% | 22,627 | Construction |
| 10 | Lake Macquarie | Hunter | 10,122 | +35.9% | +280% | 15,181 | Construction |
Wherever you land on this list, getting started is quick. You can register an ABN in about a day, or register a company and have your ACN in minutes.
The 10 fastest-growing places to start a business in NSW, in detail
1. Camden: Australia’s fastest-growing council
Camden was the fastest-growing area on the index, with new registrations up 42.5% to 3,804. It is Australia’s fastest-growing council by population, forecast to jump from around 127,600 people to more than 240,000 by 2036. New suburbs at Oran Park, Gregory Hills, Catherine Field and Leppington are being built next to the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
Camden Council has been lobbying hard through its state and federal election priorities for transport, schools and health to keep pace with the growth. For anyone selling to households, this is about as clear a signal as you get: childcare, allied health, cafes, trades and home services all follow new estates.
2. Central Coast: Sydney’s affordable escape
The Central Coast grew 39.3% to 10,052 new registrations. It is set to add roughly 100,000 residents over two decades, drawing affordability-led movers from Sydney along the M1 and the Sydney to Newcastle rail line. The local visitor economy alone brought in more than $1 billion last year.
The NSW Government has committed $41 million to revitalise the Gosford waterfront, and Council’s Key Enabling Projects program is steering private investment into the Gosford city centre. Hospitality, health, retail and construction are the obvious plays as the population and the CBD both grow.
3. Cessnock: wine country goes boomtown
Cessnock grew 39.3% to 4,777 new registrations. In the heart of the Hunter Valley wine country, it pairs a strong tourism and hospitality base with real affordability, a median house price near $641,800 against Greater Sydney’s $1.47 million. Population is projected to rise sharply through land release at Huntlee and Nulkaba.
Council’s economic arm, Advance Greater Cessnock, published a 2025 investment prospectus, and the NSW Hunter Regional Plan 2041 allocates the area 12,600 new dwellings. Tourism, food, trades and construction lead here, and the wine-country brand gives hospitality and events businesses a head start.
4. Port Stephens: the airport effect
Port Stephens grew 38.7% to 2,715 new registrations. Its story is the Newcastle Airport terminal expansion, which the airport forecasts will drive $12.7 billion in economic activity and 4,400 jobs over 20 years, on top of established tourism around Nelson Bay and new housing at Kings Hill and Medowie.
The NSW Government has declared the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct, master-planning more than 10,000 hectares around the RAAF base and airport as a defence and aerospace hub with streamlined approvals and a business concierge. Aviation services, defence supply, tourism and trades are where the demand is heading.
5. Mid-Coast: the sea-change economy
Mid-Coast grew 38.3% to 2,723 new registrations. Centred on Taree and Forster-Tuncurry, it runs a two-centre economy: Taree provides regional services and industrial land, while Forster-Tuncurry runs on lifestyle, tourism and healthcare. Coastal affordability and the Pacific Highway keep pulling sea-changers north.
MidCoast Council adopted its first Economic Development Strategy in 2023 and released an investment prospectus to court new business. With more than 7,000 businesses already trading across roughly 98,000 residents, health, tourism, retail and trades are the practical entry points.
6. Penrith: the airport’s eastern anchor
Penrith grew 38.2% to 10,341 new registrations. Its population is tipped to pass 270,000 by 2041, and the Sydney Metro line to the new Western Sydney Airport runs through it. The economic catchment is set to add more than a million people by 2031.
Penrith Council targets six industry clusters through its Invest Penrith program, from freight and logistics to health, education and creative industries. Construction leads the local business base, so trades and building supply have a long runway here.
7. Wollongong: beyond the steelworks
Wollongong grew 38.2% to 14,188 new registrations, the second-highest volume in the top ten. The Illawarra is one of the fastest-growing regions in NSW, and Wollongong’s economy has moved well beyond steel, led by the University of Wollongong, a growing tech scene and a large health sector.
The NSW Government is rezoning a 50-hectare Wollongong Health Precinct to unlock up to 1,000 homes and 10,000 jobs, and Council’s economic strategy targets more than 20,000 net new jobs by 2035. Health, education, professional services and construction are the clear opportunities.
8. Blacktown: the volume leader
Blacktown grew 36.3% to 23,075 new registrations, comfortably the largest volume in the top ten. One of Australia’s biggest LGAs, its population has passed 426,000 and is forecast to near 573,000 by 2046. The North West Growth Area covers around 10,000 hectares inside the LGA.
Blacktown is the rare place where transport and warehousing tops the business count, reflecting its role as a logistics hub near the airport and motorway network. Distribution, e-commerce fulfilment and trade supply all suit the land and the location.
9. Liverpool: Sydney’s third CBD
Liverpool grew 36.2% to 8,769 new registrations. Billed as Sydney’s third CBD, it holds most of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and sits beside the Western Sydney International Airport, which opens in late 2026. The precinct is forecast to help deliver around 200,000 jobs.
Liverpool Council runs an Economic Development Strategy to 2034 and an investment prospectus built to pull business in ahead of the airport. Getting established in freight, trades, construction or business services now means being there when the demand lands.
10. Lake Macquarie: the lake city climbs
Lake Macquarie grew 35.9% to 10,122 new registrations. Australia’s largest coastal lake city is forecast to add more than 38,000 people by 2046, mostly through migration from Sydney and Newcastle, concentrated around Greater Morisset. Its economy added 22,000 jobs over the decade to 2023.
Council’s investment body, Dantia, runs Invest Lake Mac, and the city processes more than $1.3 billion in development applications a year. The Hunter Regional Plan allocates it 20,250 new dwellings, the second-largest Lower Hunter share, so construction, health and personal services all have room to grow.
Three notable mentions: big volume, steadier growth
Growth rate rewards the fast movers, but volume matters too. These three areas record the most new businesses in NSW by a wide margin. They grew more slowly than the top ten, yet each remains one of the largest markets in the state to launch into.
Sydney
The City of Sydney recorded the most new registrations in the state, 41,278, but grew a more modest 24.0%. It is Australia’s biggest single-city economy at around $142 billion, anchored by Tech Central and a target of 200,000 new jobs by 2036. Scale, not growth rate, is the draw.
Parramatta
Parramatta logged 30,692 new registrations, up 28.7%. Sydney’s central city produces more than $28 billion in output and is being reshaped by Parramatta Light Rail, which opened in December 2024, and Sydney Metro West, due around 2032. Powerhouse Parramatta and the Westmead health precinct add further pull.
Canterbury-Bankstown
Canterbury-Bankstown had 22,533 new registrations, up 26.7%. Its population sits above 361,000 and is heading toward half a million, with the Sydenham to Bankstown line converting to a Sydney Metro service. A deep, established market rather than a frontier.
Why NSW is Australia’s busiest state for new businesses
NSW added more new businesses than any other state in FY26. Registrations rose 29.3%, and over five years they more than tripled. It is the largest business base in the country and the most business-dense per head of population.
Two forces sit underneath that. The first is people. NSW is projected to grow from 8.1 million in 2021 to more than 10 million by 2041, and most of that comes from overseas migration. More residents means more customers and more demand for local services.
The second is Western Sydney. The new airport, the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and the tri-government City Deal are pouring investment into a single corridor with a target of 200,000 jobs. Camden, Penrith, Blacktown and Liverpool all sit inside or beside it.
What the index shows about where new businesses are going
Because the index tracks registrations as they happen, it surfaces a pattern worth knowing before you pick a spot. Growth is spreading out, not concentrating. The City of Sydney still records the most registrations in absolute terms, but it grew 24% while outer and regional areas grew closer to 40%.
The fast movers share a profile: available land, new housing and transport spend. That is why construction tops the business count in nine of the top ten areas, and why the Hunter and Central Coast have surged alongside Western Sydney. If you want an early read on the next wave of local demand, watch where the state government is funding rail, roads and rezoning.
How to actually start your business once you have picked a place
Choosing the location is the strategic bit. Setting up is the admin bit, and it is quicker than most people expect.
Start with your structure. Most people begin as a sole trader for its simplicity, then move to a company once income or risk grows. Our guide on sole trader versus company walks through the trade-offs. The short version: a company caps your personal liability but adds reporting.
From there the steps are straightforward. Get an ABN, then register a business name if you are trading under anything other than your own name. If you are setting up a company, you can register a company online and receive your ACN in minutes, with the ASIC registration fee sitting at $611 for FY26. You will also need to register for GST once your turnover reaches $75,000. It does not usually matter which state you register a company in, because a company operates nationally, a point we cover in choosing where to register.
If you would rather have a person check your setup, you can hire a lawyer for a quick consult before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best city to start a business in NSW in FY26?
On growth in new registrations, Camden led NSW at 42.5% year on year, followed by the Central Coast and Cessnock, both at 39.3%. The best city for you depends on your industry and customers, but the Western Sydney corridor, the Hunter and the Central Coast dominate the top ten.
Why are the Hunter and Central Coast growing so fast?
Affordability and lifestyle are pulling people and businesses out of Sydney, helped by the M1, rail links and the Newcastle Airport expansion. Cessnock, Port Stephens, Mid-Coast and Lake Macquarie all rank in the top ten, backed by the NSW Hunter Regional Plan 2041.
Which NSW area has the most new businesses?
By sheer volume, the City of Sydney leads with 41,278 new registrations in FY26, followed by Parramatta and Canterbury-Bankstown. Within the top ten by growth, Blacktown had the most at 23,075.
How much does it cost to register a company in NSW?
The ASIC fee to register a proprietary company is $611 for the year to 30 June 2026. Service providers add their own fee on top. Registering a business name is cheaper, at $44 for one year or $102 for three years through ASIC.
Do I need to register my company in the state where I operate?
No. A company registered with ASIC operates Australia-wide, so the state you register in does not restrict where you trade. What matters more is where your customers, premises and staff are located.
What industries are growing fastest in these areas?
Construction leads the business count in nine of the ten areas, reflecting heavy housing and infrastructure investment. Blacktown is led by transport and warehousing. Health, tourism and personal services are also expanding across the Hunter and Central Coast.
Is it better to start a business in regional NSW or Sydney?
Both work, for different reasons. Regional areas like the Central Coast, Cessnock and Mid-Coast offer cheaper premises and fast-growing local demand. Sydney and its growth corridors offer far larger customer bases. Six of the top ten sit outside inner Sydney.
Are most new businesses in NSW small?
Yes. Across the top ten areas, 54% to 64% of businesses have no employees, and only a small share turn over more than $2 million a year. Starting small is the norm, not the exception.
Where to from here
You do not need to pick the perfect city to succeed, and no ranking replaces knowing your own customers. What the FY26 data gives you is a head start: a clear view of where people, homes and money are moving in NSW, so you can plant your business in front of the demand instead of chasing it.
When you are ready to make it official, register your company with Lawpath and get your ACN in minutes.
