Western Sydney Adds 23,000 Employers, NSW Report Flags 135,000-Entrepreneur Gap
Updated
Updated · Sydney Morning Herald · Aug 11
Western Sydney Adds 23,000 Employers, NSW Report Flags 135,000-Entrepreneur Gap
1 articles · Updated · Sydney Morning Herald · Aug 11
Summary
Western Sydney added nearly 23,000 employing businesses from 2017 to 2025, more than double eastern Sydney’s just-over 10,000, and is on track to overtake the east by 2041.
Blacktown led adjusted growth in employing businesses at 17%, ahead of Canterbury Bankstown at 13.5%, Hawkesbury at 13.2% and Fairfield at 13.1%, with Business NSW citing infrastructure, a younger population and broader industry mix.
Less than 5% of NSW workers now own and run a business with employees, down from 8% in 2000; the report says matching that earlier rate would mean 135,000 more entrepreneurs.
The scaling problem is worsening: the share of new businesses hiring staff within their first year fell to 27% in 2025 from 35% in 2011, creating what Business NSW called a 'missing middle' of firms that fail to grow.
Women and regional areas are being hit hardest — women’s share of employing business owners dropped to 2.7% by early 2026 from a 6.4% peak, and some regional towns have posted net business declines.