Caution: JavaScript execution is disabled in your browser or for this website. You may not be able to answer all questions in this survey. Please, verify your browser parameters.

Industry Outlook 2026

Thank you for contributing to our annual survey of business leaders’ expectations.

Your insights help shape the evidence we use to advocate for Australian businesses. By sharing your reflections on 2025 and outlook for 2026, you’ll support stronger, more informed decision-making by industry, government and policy makers.

This year, we’re especially interested in your views on tax, employment and investment plans. 

Please complete the survey by Friday 5 December. It takes around 10 minutes. Your response is strictly confidential. A summary of aggregated results will be published in 2026 at:  🔗aigroup.com.au/policy-and-research/mediacentre/reports/

If you would like to receive a link to this report when released, please provide your email address at the final question.

If you have any questions regarding this survey please email economics@aigroup.com.au.

Regards,

Innes Willox

Business details
Company name
What is the postcode of your primary business location (e.g. registered business address)?
In which industry does your business mainly operate?
What was your approximate annual turnover in 2025?
We ask this to group responses by size
$
approximately
How many full-time equivalent (FTE) people did you employ in 2025?
We ask this to group responses by size
FTE people
The following questions are about your business experience in 2025 and your expectations for 2026

How did each of the following factors change in your business in 2025 compared to 2024?

Up No change Down No answer
General business conditions in your sector
Annual turnover
Gross profit margin
Number of employees
Spending on staff training & development
Spending on physical capital (e.g. buildings)
Spending on research & development
Spending on new technology
Export income
Input prices
Energy prices (inputs)
Selling prices
Do you expect the following factors to change in your business in 2026, compared to 2025?
Up No change Down No answer
General business conditions in your sector
Annual turnover
Gross profit margin
Number of employees
Spending on staff training and development
Spending on physical capital (e.g. buildings)
Spending on research & development
Spending on new technology
Export income
Input prices
Energy prices (inputs)
Selling prices
What key growth strategies do you plan to implement in your business during 2026? (double-click or drag and drop, from highest to lowest)
If other please specify
What factors do you expect will inhibit your business growth in 2026?  (double-click or drag and drop from highest to lowest) 
If other please specify
Please rank these factors in terms of their negative impact on your business?   (double-click or drag and drop from highest to lowest) 
Did your business experience workforce shortages in 2025?
Do you expect workforce shortages in 2026? 

Did your ability to source all the inputs that your business require change in 2025, compared to 2024? 

Do you expect your ability to source inputs to change in 2026 compared to 2025?

What measures will you take to improve the reliability and resilience of your supply chains in 2026?

If other, please specify
The following questions are about investment and tax
What factors will influence your business investment spending decisions in 2026?  (double-click or drag and drop from highest to lowest)
If other, please specify
What are your highest priorities for your business investment spending in 2026?   (double-click or drag and drop from highest to lowest)
If other please specify
What is the impact of these taxes on your business investment decisions?
Low Medium High Don't know No answer
Company tax
Payroll tax
GST
Insurance taxes
Stamp duties
Investment deductions
Land tax
Vehicle taxes
What is the impact of these taxes on your business employment/hiring?
Low Medium High Don't know No answer
Company tax
Payroll tax
GST
Insurance taxes
Stamp duties
Investment deductions
Land tax
Vehicle taxes
What is the impact of these taxes on your business innovation and R&D activities?
Low Medium High Don't know No answer
Company tax
Payroll tax
GST
Insurance taxes
Stamp duties
Investment deductions
Land tax
Vehicle taxes
Please rank the following tax reforms by expected benefit to your business.  (double-click or drag and drop from highest to lowest) 
If you could make one change to the tax system, what would it be?
What are you most optimistic or concerned about for your business in 2026?
Thank you for completing this survey, if you would like to receive a link to the report when it is released, please provide your email address
 
Close
PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USAGE