How South Australian local councils are helping small businesses
South Australian small businesses are crucial to driving economic growth in Australia – which is why local councils are stepping up with a range of initiatives to ensure they not only succeed but thrive.
Every day, 160,000 South Australian small businesses deliver products and services throughout not only Australia but the world.
Representing 98% of all traders in the state, small businesses continue to grow, contributing billions of dollars each year to our state’s economy and employing more than 300,000 South Australians.
Not only does this show that small businesses are crucial to driving economic growth in Australia, it also highlights their role in creating vibrant communities and strengthening local supply chains across South Australia.
Recognising this significance, local councils are stepping up with a range of initiatives to support small businesses in communities, to ensure they not only survive but thrive.
What is Small Business Week?
South Australia’s Small Business Week is an annual initiative that offers events and resources designed to aid the state’s vibrant small business community.
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Running from 22-26 September 2025, the week includes in-person events across Adelaide and regional SA, along with online resources available to help small businesses build skills, explore new opportunities and strengthen their operations.
Metro councils back metro businesses
With 76% of South Australian small businesses located in the Greater Adelaide region, local councils are drivers of support for local small businesses to ensure they continue to grow.
One initiative that has proven particularly successful is the City of Onkaparinga’s Go South Go Local.
This program supports local businesses by showcasing the products and services available in the council region and encourages residents and visitors to buy local.
Ed Scanlon, team leader of economic growth and tourism at the City of Onkaparinga, explained that the initiative helps promote local businesses and encourages the community to choose local suppliers first.
“Onkaparinga’s economy is vibrant, with more than 10,000 businesses contributing to a thriving $6.61 billion economy,” Ed said. “It’s great to see how much our local community has embraced the campaign and actively supported small businesses in the area.
“We also provide a tailored Go South Go Local digital asset toolkit to help businesses navigate growth in an ever-changing landscape, complementing the free Southern Business Mentoring Program appointments we offer with the cities of Marion and Holdfast Bay.”
Other initiatives throughout the Greater Adelaide region include:
- The City of Mitcham offers small business owners one-on-one support through a dedicated business support officer to help them access tailored guidance, programs, grants and tools to grow and adapt.
- City of Tea Tree Gully offers a Small Business Advisory Service, providing both new and existing businesses with expert coaching, tailored guidance and advice.
- The City of Charles Sturt’s Business Support Program aims to assist local businesses to adapt and advance through expert advice in areas like marketing, finance, strategy and operations. Grants are offered across three streams backing everything from sustainability initiatives to generating jobs and productivity.
Beyond the city
Small businesses are the backbone of regional South Australian communities, playing a vital role in driving local economies and supporting local jobs.
From family-owned businesses and retail stores to tourism operators and professional services, small businesses are often the main employers in many regional towns and provide essential services locally.
Some of the council-run small business support initiatives include:
- Wakefield Regional Council’s Small Business Incentives program which offers grants of up to $1,500 for businesses looking to enhance the skills of employees or promote their services.
- Alexandrina Council funds small business improvement projects through its Business Initiatives Grants, for projects that generate economic development benefits for the Alexandrina region.
For more information on Small Business Week 2025, including event schedules and speaker details, visit the official Small Business Week page here.
This article was brought to you by InDaily and LGA South Australia.
