Trends & Research

Lawpath New Business Index • September 2025

105,783 New Businesses in September. The data driving Australia’s latest boom

Breaking down founder ages, business origins, and the industries driving Australia forward

ABN Bar Graph Chart HTML Generator

January 2024 - September 2025 • Monthly ABN Registration Trends and Insights

83,530
90,026
88,974
83,898
87,624
83,700
107,593
84,633
83,755
93,708
89,409
73,092
104,414
106,294
113,267
103,333
106,074
107,149
125,678
108,191
105,783
Jan'24
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan'25
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep

105783

ABN registrations this month

26.3%

Growth Rate (YoY)

96,673

Monthly Average

ACN Bar Graph Chart HTML Generator

January 2024 – September 2025 • Monthly ACN Registration Trends and Insights

19,920
26,420
26,194
25,494
29,766
33,175
29,549
27,071
26,399
27,617
25,852
20,694
20,475
26,971
29,465
27,431
31,990
38,555
35,844
31,642
33,429
Jan'24
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan'25
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep

33429

ACN registrations this month

26.6%

Growth Rate (YoY)

28,283

Monthly Average

GST Bar Graph Chart HTML Generator

January 2024 - September 2025 • GST Registration Trends and Insights

31,579
24,105
22,271
34,161
25,073
20,690
62,906
24,400
22,775
34,360
24,015
17,889
34,425
26,520
25,490
35,185
27,344
23,922
56,679
26,357
22,580
Jan'24
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan'25
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep

22580

GST registrations this month

-0.9%

Growth Rate (YoY)

29,654

Monthly Average

What is the
New Business Index?

We launched the Lawpath New Business Index to answer a simple but important question: how is entrepreneurship in Australia really evolving? For too long, conversations about small business have relied on lagging reports or isolated anecdotes. We wanted to give founders, policymakers, and industry leaders a clear, timely view of what’s actually happening.

Each month, the Index brings together verified data from the Australian Business Register (ABR) and ASIC with anonymised insights from thousands of registrations on the Lawpath platform. The result is a unique picture of who is starting businesses, where they are based, and which industries are driving growth.

Our goal is to make this information useful. Not just as a snapshot, but as a way to spot trends, challenge assumptions, and inspire action. When we understand the shifts happening in entrepreneurship, we can help shape a stronger, more resilient business landscape for Australia.

Statistics for September 2025

Key growth signals from the ABN registry and Australia’s latest new business registrations.

+21.1% YoY

NEW BUSINESS REGISTERED

105,783

Total ABN registrations this month

(vs 83,755 in September 2024)

Source: Australian Business Register – ABN Bulk Extract (data.gov.au, accessed 7 October 2025)

+16.9% YoY

NEW COMPANIES REGISTERED

33,429

Total ACN registrations this month

(vs 26,399 in September 2024)

Source: ASIC – Company registration statistics (monthly new company registrations), accessed 7 October 2025

-0.02% YoY

GST Status

22,580

Business Registered for GST

(vs 22,775 in September 2024)

Source: Australian Business Register – ABN Bulk Extract (data.gov.au, accessed 7 October 2025)

Summary

In September 2025, Australia’s startup pace accelerated with 105,783 new ABNs, up 26.3% year on year. Company formations rose to 33,429, a 26.6% lift, while GST registrations held steady at 22,580. Sole traders drove the surge with 32.97% growth, showing more Australians are willing to launch lean and move fast.

Momentum is shifting across the map. Queensland grew 27% and WA 30%, outpacing the southern states. The youngest founders are also stepping up, with registrations from 18–24 year olds climbing 62%. Professional services and construction are expanding while retail and real estate continue to contract.

This is the season of momentum. As spring approaches and barriers to entry fall, Australians are not waiting for the perfect time to build. They are starting now.

Australia’s business formation at a glance

A closer look at how Australia’s new businesses are taking shape, from the structures they choose to the regions driving growth.

Interactive Business Structures Dashboard Widget

Business Structures

74,620
Sole Traders
Category
Value
Share
YoY
Growth
Interactive States & Territories Dashboard Widget

States & Territories

33,554
NSW
State
Value
Share
YoY
Growth
Interactive Suburbs Dashboard Widget

Suburbs

1,120
3029
Postcode
Value
YoY
Growth

Source: Australian Business Register – ABN Bulk Extract (monthly new company registrations), accessed 7 October 2025

Most Popular Structure

Sole Trader

+33% YoY, leading driver of growth
Growth Leader

Northern Territory

+43% YoY, fastest growth
Metro Dominance

69.11%

in major metropolitan areas

Business formation breakdown by suburbs in Australia

Explore our interactive map to see where new businesses are forming across Australia, suburb by suburb.

All States
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
ACT
TAS
NT
Business Formation Rate
1000+
500-999
300-499
200-299
0-199

Australia Business Statistics

Total Active ABNs: 8,938,463
New Businesses (YTD): 975,908
Growth Rate (YTD): 22.22%

Australia Business Statistics

Total Active ABNs: 8,938,463
New Businesses (YTD): 975,908
Growth Rate (YTD): 22.22%
Business Formation Rate
1000+
500-999
300-499
200-299
0-199

Source: Australian Business Register – ABN Bulk Extract, accessed 7 October 2025

Lawpath Platform Insights

Key metrics and trends from companies registered through our platform

Interactive Age Distribution of Founders Dashboard Widget

Age Distribution of Founders

6%
18–24 years
Age Group
Share
YoY
Growth
Interactive Countries of Birth Dashboard Widget

Countries of Birth

35%
Australia
Country
Share
YoY
Growth
Interactive Industry Distribution Dashboard Widget

Industry Distribution

26%
Prof/Tech Services
Industry
Share
YoY
Growth
Sharpest Age Rise

18-24 yrs

+44% YoY Growth
International Diversity

65%

born outside Australia
Professional & Technical Services

+26%

+55% YoY Growth

Methodology

Each month, the Lawpath New Business Index captures how entrepreneurship in Australia is evolving.

Using verified data from the Australian Business Register (ABR) and ASIC, combined with anonymised insights from thousands of registrations processed through the Lawpath platform, we deliver a verified, month‑by‑month view of who is starting businesses, where they are based, and the industries they are choosing.

September has emerged as Australia’s launchpad month for entrepreneurs. Coming off tax season, we’re seeing a surge in founders moving from ideas to registered businesses - fuelled by AI-driven tools and the growing demand for flexible income streams.

Tom Willis

Chief Marketing Officer, Lawpath

August 2025

Take the data with you

Download or share our business insights

Download Full Report

Complete September 2025 analysis with detailed breakdowns

Share Report

Get shareable link for social media or email

Start your business today in under 15 minutes

Join thousands of entrepreneurs who chose Lawpath to make their business dreams a reality. Get your ABN, structure your company, and be part of next month's success story.

Business Structure Quiz

Who do you want your business to serve?

Is your business going to serve as your main form of income?

Will you be running your business from home?

Do you want your business to have its own trading/commercial name?

Are you willing to pay a higher fee to have your business registered?

How do you want your business's income to be taxed?

Analyzing your responses...
Finding the best business structure for you
Business structure pictogram

Sole trader

As the simplest business structure, sole traders are responsible for the legal and financial aspects of their business. Sole traders are required to apply for an ABN and are taxed on their individual income.

500,000+

businesses assisted ​

4.6/5

across 20,000+ verified reviews

24/7

platform access

Insights that drive growth - subscribe now!