While South Australian businesses report record levels of confidence, the coming year will have its own set of challenges. The 2021 BDO SA State Business Survey report foreshadows some of those – particularly concerns around skilled labour shortages and supply chain disruption.

In regards to the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, the three greatest concerns of business over the next 12 months are:

• Attracting and retaining staff (48 per cent)
• Domestic border closures and access to interstate markets (46 per cent)
• Local wave of infection (39 per cent).

In addition to the impacts of COVID-19, the report details the views of South Australian business in the key areas of Outlook, People, Environmental & Social Governance (ESG), Tax & Government, Technology & Innovation and Energy.

In its eighth year, the BDO SA State Business Survey provides a valuable insight into the South Australian economy at a time when some sectors are booming while others struggle.

More than half of the businesses participating in this year’s survey exported their goods and services interstate or overseas while 96 per cent of respondents were headquartered in Adelaide.

About half of the businesses had an annual turnover of $5 million or more with major sectors represented including professional services, not-for-profit, manufacturing and government.

The comprehensive 2021 BDO SA State Business Survey report is now available to read here