A large number of the businesses I deal with every day are “small businesses”. The ABS categorises small business as one with less than 20 employees.

These small businesses are a vital part of the Australian economy as shown in the Government publication Key Statistics - Australian Small Business.

There were 2,051,085 actively trading businesses in Australia as at June 2009—around 96 per cent of these were small businesses (1,961,337) and these small businesses provided almost 50% of total industry employment in 2009–10.

There were also some interesting demographics about small business operators (as at June 2006 when the last figures were available -

• 68% of small business operators were male; 32% were female.

• 29% born overseas; 71% born in Australia.

• 58% aged 30–50 yrs; 33% aged over 50 yrs; 9% aged less than 30 yrs.

• 92% operated one business; 6% operated two businesses; 2% operated three or more businesses.

Almost 50 per cent of business owners estimated working more than 40 hours in a typical working week. Twenty-two per cent of business owners estimated working 41 to 50 hours, 18 per cent estimated working 51 to 70 hours, and 6 per cent estimated working over 70 hours. (As at December 2008)

I realise that some of those working hours are taken up with dealing with superannuation.

More and more time is needing to be spent making contributions (often to several super funds) and with enroling employees who don't have a current super fund into the default fund.

I am always pleased to help out with solutions that Tasplan have developed to help reduce the time business spends complying with superannuation obligations.

If you want to see if there is a better way for your business to deal with super please email me