The City of Wanneroo has emerged as Western Australia's premier destination for new small businesses, recording the highest number of start-ups established over the past five years, according to data from the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC).
Record New Businesses Across WA
More than 30,000 sole traders and small businesses were established across the state between 2020 and 2025. Wanneroo topped the list with 3,080 new businesses, narrowly ahead of the City of Stirling (3,060), City of Swan (3,050), City of Gosnells (2,920), and City of Canning (2,250). Together, these five local government areas accounted for nearly half of all new small business growth in WA.
Small businesses, defined as those with fewer than 20 employees, represent 97 per cent of all businesses operating in WA, totalling more than 258,000. Wanneroo is now home to over 16,000 such businesses, placing it second behind Stirling, which leads with more than 25,000. The City of Swan ranks third with over 13,000.
Population Growth Drives Entrepreneurship
WA Small Business Commissioner Saj Abdoolakhan attributed the surge in business creation to population growth in these rapidly expanding communities.
“These are some of the fastest-growing communities in WA and they’re attracting young families, skilled workers and migrants who all need homes, services and infrastructure,” Mr Abdoolakhan said.
“When new suburbs emerge and populations grow, demand follows for everything from builders and electricians to healthcare providers, childcare operators to retailers, real estate agents and technology services.
“This new research demonstrates that many of WA’s entrepreneurs are choosing to create their own businesses in the communities where they live, contributing to the local economy and providing essential services to the community.”
WA's population is currently estimated at just under 3.1 million and is projected to reach around 3.6 million by 2036, further fuelling demand for local goods and services.
Industry Growth Outpaces National Averages
The SBDC report also highlighted that WA has recorded more sole traders in several industries since 2019, outpacing national growth. Key sectors include transport, postal and warehousing (up 56 per cent), other services (48 per cent), and administrative and support services.
These figures underscore the entrepreneurial spirit in Wanneroo and other growth corridors, where new residents and businesses are creating a virtuous cycle of economic activity and community development.
