The Australia small business sector has taken a hit during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Go Local First campaign is about encouraging every Australian to back small businesses by purchasing goods or services from them either in person or online.

Small businesses account for a third of Australia’s economic output, so their recovery will be critical to Australia’s national economic recovery.

Small businesses employ millions of people around the country, and are responsible for paying wages to almost half of Australia’s workforce.

The last year or so – from the bushfires to the pandemic – have hit them hard. Research conducted for COSBOA shows that three in four small businesses have seen a decline in revenue of up to 75 per cent.

Unlike big businesses, small local businesses don’t have deep pockets to weather this downturn.

This campaign is about encouraging Australians to back our many small businesses, to help get them back on their feet.

Small business is critical to the Australian economy.

98 per cent of all businesses in Australia are small businesses, and they employ around 6 million Australians – including almost half of all people employed in the private sector. Between 2012-13 and 2016-17, small business accounted for almost 60 per cent of jobs growth.

A third of private sector output, more than $410 billion dollars, came from small businesses in 2017-18.

Beyond the economic contribution, small businesses are part of the unique fabric of Australian life, helping their communities as much as they rely on their patrons’ support.

Small businesses are run by locals, which means they’re more invested in their local communities.

They invest in community sport, local charities and school fairs – many of which would struggle without the frequent and generous support of their local small businesses.

Ultimately, when people spend locally, most of that money stays in the local community. It keeps Australians in jobs and ensures that everyone has access to the products and services they need.

As well as encouraging Australian consumers to get out there and spend more with small businesses, both online and in person, the campaign is also about encouraging small business owners to use other small businesses as suppliers.

According to research conducted exclusively for COSBOA, in 2020 the small business sector has been hit hard by COVID-19 and continuing lockdowns around the country.

During the first round of lockdowns alone, three in four small businesses have seen a decline in revenue because of COVID-19, while a third of sole traders reported a 75 per cent decline in revenue

Throughout 2020, 37 per cent of Australians said they had increased spending at small businesses, but less than 1 in 10 said it was a significant increase, so we need to keep backing small business.

Lockdowns are so tough for small businesses, with 1 in 3 small businesses owners taking a pay cut or receiving financial support from Government throughout the first round of lockdowns.

In other words, they’re doing it really tough – and need Aussies to continue to rally around them.

This campaign is funded by the Federal Government and delivered by the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) on behalf of small businesses everywhere.