March 17th, 2026COSBOA launches 2026 regional small business survey
Without strong regional participation, national policy risks overlooking realities outside capital cities
The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) has launched its 2026 Small Business Perspectives Survey, focused exclusively on small businesses operating in regional, rural and remote Australia.
The national research initiative aims to capture the lived experience of businesses beyond major cities, ensuring regional conditions are clearly reflected in national policy discussions throughout 2026.
The annual survey gathers insights across business performance and outlook, workforce and skills, housing and childcare access, health services, digital connectivity, banking access, energy and insurance costs, disaster impacts and small business wellbeing.
COSBOA CEO, Skye Cappuccio, said strengthening the regional evidence base is critical to ensuring national reform conversations are underpinned by real experience from across the country.
“Running a small business in regional Australia can be fundamentally different to operating in a capital city,” Ms Cappuccio said.
“Workforce shortages, constrained housing supply, service gaps, connectivity limitations, disaster recovery and the cost of doing business can have amplified impacts in regional and remote communities.
“If national decisions are going to work for small business, they must reflect the realities faced outside metropolitan centres. That starts with credible, on-the-ground data.”
The findings will form part of COSBOA’s annual Small Business Perspectives Report and inform its engagement with government, regulators and policymakers throughout 2026.
“This survey ensures that when we engage with decision-makers, we do so with independently gathered data drawn directly from business owners themselves.
“Regional small businesses sustain local economies and communities across Australia. Their experience must be clearly represented in the national policy conversation,” Ms Cappuccio said.
Broad participation across industries and geographic regions will be essential to building a robust and representative picture of regional small business.
The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Responses are confidential and independently managed by research agency Survey Matters.
The 2026 COSBOA Small Business Perspectives Survey closes on 30 April 2026.
Regional small business owners can participate HERE.
