Survey data reveals Australian small businesses lead the way with AI implementation

As businesses around the world find new ways to implement AI into their workflows and business operations, Australian small businesses are leading the way compared to their global counterparts. The latest data from the Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Insights Survey, has highlighted this notable increase in AI adoption across small businesses, reporting boosted productivity and increased business and revenue growth.

AI implementation boosting productivity and business growth

With AI becoming more integrated into day-to-day operations, 2 in 5 (64%) Australian small businesses now report using AI regularly, whether daily (26%), weekly (28%) or monthly (10%), up from 39% in July 2024. Australia is even leading the way in this space, with almost two-thirds (65%) of these businesses having widely implemented AI across their business, with 16% saying AI is now a “core component” of their business operations. 

This notable increase of AI has been attributed to a boost in productivity for 76% of Australian small businesses. 26% of which noted shorter workdays, compared to 16% which say work days are longer, and 40% have seen an increase in revenue since implementing AI, compared to 3% who have experienced a decline.

Though GenAI is currently the most popular type of AI in use, with almost half (48%) of respondents using GenAI, Australian small businesses are also using AI for key tasks in their day-to-day operations. Customer service (38%), administrative tasks (37%), marketing (35%), data processing (35%), and bookkeeping (27%) are just some of the tasks these businesses report using AI for. 

The increase in AI adoption can also be attributed to AI being added to software and applications already in use for more than a third of respondents (35%). And it’s not just small businesses who are driving this integration, with more than 1 in 5 (21%) respondents integrating AI into their operations due to recommendations from accountants or consultants. 

Though 64% of Australian small businesses do report using AI regularly, there are still a number of businesses (31%) that are yet to adopt it into their workflows. However, close to half (48%) of those not yet using AI, have said they’re considering adopting it in the future.

8 out of 10 Australian small businesses report growth and stability

Echoing the growth seen due to AI implementation, 33% of Australian businesses are growing, up from 28% in October 2024 and January 2025. With 8 out of 10 reporting good business health, 42% have seen revenue growth over the last quarter compared to the previous period. Though not all businesses are experiencing the same, with 18% reporting a decline in revenue over the same period.

Concerns about inflation (47%) and cash flow (53%) remain front of mind for many small businesses. With 48% predicting rising costs, either somewhat (40%) or significantly (8%), over the next 3 months, many (62%) are concerned about the impacts this will have on their business.

Due to rising energy (47%), domestic (33%) and international (19%) suppliers, and tax and regulatory (32%) costs, more businesses (24%) report being unable to predict their costs or estimate profit margins. 

While these challenges will remain concerns for many businesses, overall 82% of Australian small businesses have reported good business health, with 33% of businesses seeing steady (31%) or fast (2%) growth, and almost half (49%) reporting that business remains steady.

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Get further data and insights in the Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Insights Survey, updated quarterly.

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