Industries with Least Risky Business Environments in Australia in 2024

1. Multi-Unit Apartment and Townhouse Construction in Australia

Business Environment Risk for 2024: 2.74

The Multi-Unit Apartment and Townhouse Construction industry has benefited from a long-term shift in dwelling preferences away from traditional single-unit houses towards higher density apartment and townhouse construction. A surge in single-unit house construction under the Federal Government's HomeBuilder stimulus, along with adverse trends in multi-unit dwelling investment, has reversed this trend in recent years. Revenue has been decreasing at an annualised 6.8% over the past five years and is expected to total $43.6 billion in 2022-23, when revenue is estimated to inch upwards by 0.9% as the economy gradually recovers from the pandemic.

Revenue surged to an unprecedented peak in... Learn More

2. Mortgage Brokers in Australia

Business Environment Risk for 2024: 3.38

Mortgage brokers have benefited from the relatively resilient Australian housing market in recent years. Despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, factors like the previously record low-interest rates, government stimulus and surging residential housing prices have improved loan values and loan volumes for brokers. Stronger commissions for brokers have grown profit margins and raised wages in the industry. Notably, the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services industries levied significant scrutiny on the conduct of mortgage brokers. As a result of the Royal Commission, numerous lenders changed their remuneration models for brokers, and the government even... Learn More

3. Specialist Medical Services in Australia

Business Environment Risk for 2024: 3.43

Australia's ageing population and a rising incidence of chronic disease are driving demand for the Specialist Medical Services industry. Greater demand, along with moderate growth in fees, has boosted industry revenue growth over the past five years. The Federal Government supports qualified specialists through Medicare, which funds a schedule fee that covers part or all of a specialist service. Medicare also provides safety nets to ensure that the annual accumulation of gap payments does not place an excessive financial burden on patients. Medicare rebates per service have been boosted by higher schedule fees, but constrained by the Federal Government's Medicare... Learn More

4. Funds Management Services in Australia

Business Environment Risk for 2024: 3.45

Funds management services have grown in recent years as the portion of funds sourced from overseas markets has significantly increased. Overseas markets have given fund managers access a larger asset bases, and boosted volumes of assets under management (AUM). Despite a larger international presence, fund management services revenue is expected to grow only marginally, at an annualised 0.1% through the end of 2022-23, to $11.6 billion. The COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent inflationary pressures led to significant uncertainty and volatility in financial markets and caused global economic headwinds. A wider general recovery from the pandemic's negative economic effects has benefited the... Learn More

5. Health Services in Australia

Business Environment Risk for 2024: 3.45

The Health Services subdivision covers a range of health services and facilities. General hospitals are the subdivision's largest revenue driver, accounting for over half of Australia's health services revenue. General practitioners (GPs), clinical specialists and dentists also represent significant revenue streams for the subdivision. While Australia's growing and ageing population has bolstered demand for health services in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted subdivision expansion, as health services redirected resources to contain the virus.

Overall, subdivision revenue is expected to edge up by an annualised 1.2% over the five years to 2023-24 to $202.4 billion. This soft growth rate reflects the... Learn More

6. Organic Crop Farming in Australia

Business Environment Risk for 2024: 3.53

The Organic Crop Farming industry has benefited from strong growth in consumer demand for organic food over the past five years. Once considered an alternative food eaten only by a minority of the population, organic produce has become increasingly common in consumer diets and retail stores. Organic fruits and vegetables are often perceived as healthier than their conventionally farmed counterparts due to the absence of synthetic chemicals, genetic modification, pesticides and fertilisers in their production. Rising health consciousness and greater public concern regarding the effects of conventional farming on the environment have driven demand for organic fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts... Learn More

7. Cloud Storage Services in Australia

Business Environment Risk for 2024: 3.53

As all facets of society are becoming more plugged into the online world, the Cloud Storage Services industry is flourishing. Growing internet traffic is heightening the need for businesses to outsource cloud storage, leading to cloud computing's rising prominence across several channels. Cloud computing has reduced companies' in-house storage and computing costs, as companies can quickly scale capacity up or down depending on demand. Firms that opt out of cloud storage have maintained their own servers and faced the brunt of capital expenditure and utility costs. Demand for outsourced cloud storage services has skyrocketed in recent years. This trend has... Learn More

8. Software Testing Services in Australia

Business Environment Risk for 2024: 3.59

Since testing is necessary for developing software, most IT projects involve allocating resources to hiring software testers, who provide clients with these services. Internet connectivity and accessibility are continuously improving, which is encouraging more companies to upgrade their IT systems or move their operations online. Cloud computing is also supporting this move, as it enables employees to work from home by accessing information stored on remote servers. New technologies in this space are bolstering demand for software testing services, as businesses need to ensure that sensitive data, like financial information, is kept secure. Innovation and advancement in the field are... Learn More

9. Software Publishing in Australia

Business Environment Risk for 2024: 3.59

The Software Publishing industry has had strong growth, which rising online connectivity and the emergence of new technology have supported. The COVID-19 pandemic did little to slow the industry's expansion, as mounting demand for software to help with remote working and other business technology offset dwindling demand from struggling businesses. Industry revenue has climbed at an annualised 7.7% to $5.4 billion over the five years to 2022-23, including a drop of 4.2% in the current year because of falling household discretionary income. More publishers have been adopting the Software as a Service (SaaS) distribution model. The model creates a steadier... Learn More

10. General Practice Medical Services in Australia

Business Environment Risk for 2024: 3.64

GPs are the first point of contact in the medical system, providing direct treatment to patients, diagnosing health problems and referring patients to specialists or general hospitals. The Australian population's age profile is a strong demand determinant for general practice medical services. Australia's population has been ageing rapidly, as more baby boomers have reached retirement age. The ageing population has supported demand for GPs' services in recent years, as older people experience more health concerns, like chronic illness and minor ailments.

GPs receive Federal Government assistance through Medicare, which covers a schedule fee for each consultation. The proportion of bulk-billed consultations,... Learn More