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Small and medium business represents 44 per cent of Australia's Gross Domestic Product and is the growth sector of the Australian economy, as well as the major creator of employment. Small businesses accounted for 26% of Manufacturing R&D and 13% of R&D in other industries in 1997-98.
Table 1: Expenditure on R&D by size of business (1997-98)
| Total ($000) | Less than 10 | 10-19 | 20-49 | 50-99 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mining | 392000 | 2919 | 6997 | 16166 | 8656 |
| Manufacturing | 2181564 | 53793 | 188211 | 174854 | 148510 |
| Other industries | 1470255 | 107073 | 117033 | 212267 | 187714 |
| Total all industries | 4043819 | 163785 | 312241 | 403286 | 344880 |
Source: ABS Research & Experimental Development Businesses: 8104.0 (1997-98)
In 1996-97, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were an estimated 750,000 micro businesses in Australia, representing 83.5 per cent of all small businesses (defined as fewer than 20 employees). Micro business operators include sole proprietors and partners of non-employing businesses and proprietors of unincorporated employing businesses, plus working directors of incorporated companies.
Women in Australian SMEs are globalising. Estimates suggest that between 10 and 30 percent of women-owned businesses are exporting. Women make up one-third of people working in their own businesses.