Wollongong Shines in National Business Rankings
A comprehensive new study has positioned Wollongong as one of Australia's most promising cities for entrepreneurs and small business owners. The Illawarra region secured an impressive 18th place nationally in World First's recent business analysis, outperforming major centres like Sydney and Newcastle.
The payment solutions company evaluated seven critical economic indicators to determine the rankings, including business survival rates, cost of living pressures, and access to skilled talent. Adelaide claimed the top position, while Bowral-Mittagong ranked at the bottom of the list.
What the Numbers Reveal About Wollongong's Business Landscape
The statistics paint an encouraging picture for the local economy. According to the report, 87.1% of Wollongong businesses successfully survive their first year of operation. This resilience continues over the medium term, with 62.9% of enterprises still operating after four years.
These figures suggest Wollongong provides a supportive environment for new ventures, though the drop-off between years one and four indicates ongoing challenges that businesses must navigate.
Ground Truth: A Local Business Owner's Perspective
Jacob Zammit, proprietor of Harbourside Records on George Street in Warilla, offers real-world insight into operating a small business in the region. Since opening his vintage record store in July 2025, Zammit has experienced strong community support despite strategic limitations.
"We've been good, we're very busy," Zammit reported. "We're only open three days a week, so it's one of those things that we're trying to keep our expenses low, keep our rent low."
The business enjoyed a "massive opening" and has maintained steady customer traffic. "We have regulars that are here almost every single day that we're open, and we have people that come every single week and buy a batch of records," he added.
Balancing Location Challenges with Business Sustainability
Like many small business owners, Zammit faces the constant challenge of balancing visibility with overhead costs. His decision to establish Harbourside Records in Warilla rather than higher-traffic locations like Shellharbour Square or Kiama was deliberate.
"We could have gone to the Square, we could have gone to Kiama, we could have paid more rent at places like that," Zammit explained. "But then it would have been very hard to sustain the business, we would have just gone broke."
This strategic approach highlights the reality for niche businesses in the current economic climate. Running lean operations appears crucial for survival, even when customer support is strong.
The Exposure Dilemma for Small Businesses
Despite positive performance, Zammit identifies exposure as his primary struggle. "It's tough to get people there, that's the thing that I'm struggling with, exposure," he acknowledged.
Harbourside Records has begun building momentum through Facebook presence and word-of-mouth recommendations, gradually expanding its customer base despite not occupying a high foot traffic location.
"The pay-off is that it's the only way to run a niche business like ours," Zammit noted. "Running it in a shopping centre might not be worth that expensive rent. Those are the hard things at the moment, just to work out what the right marketing is, how to get people to know that we exist and stay profitable and to stay open."
Positive Outlook Despite Challenges
The overall sentiment from this local business owner remains optimistic. "We're actually very profitable and doing well ... we're overwhelmed with the support," Zammit confirmed.
This ground-level perspective complements the statistical findings, suggesting that while Wollongong offers fertile ground for entrepreneurship, success requires careful strategic planning, financial discipline, and creative solutions to marketing challenges.
The World First report, released in November 2025, provides valuable benchmarking for the Illawarra region's economic development and highlights Wollongong's growing reputation as a viable alternative to Australia's traditional business capitals.
