CENTRAL HIGHLANDS BUSINESS SURVEY 2025 KEY FINDINGS Business conditions remained stable in 2024–25, with most indices unchanged and 78% of businesses maintaining or improving their overall performance amid ongoing cost and staffing pressures.
1
2
Rising costs remain a key concern, with 85% of businesses reporting increases in fuel, freight, insurance, and compliance expenses.
3
Staffing challenges persist, particularly in agriculture, health, and service industries, where difficulty attracting and retaining skilled workers continues to limit growth.
4
Business sentiment for the year ahead is cautiously optimistic, with forecasts indicating improvements in revenue, staffing levels, and customer demand.
“Everyt hing is getting more expensive —
The index score is developed from qualitative survey responses, producing a value between 1 and 100. As a guide:
freight, insurance, even IT subscriptions. You have to work smarter just to stay in the same spot.
» below 50 indicates weaker performance
“
» between 50 and 55 indicates neutral performance » above 55 indicates stronger performance
63 -
OVERALL PERFORMANCE Change in overall performance over the past 12 months. 43% Stronger
22%
35% Same
Weaker
Index 100 90 80 70 60
» Overall business performance held steady, with the index remaining at 63 and within the stronger range.
» Feedback indicates stronger performance was supported by solid trading conditions, infrastructure upgrades, and improved business systems.
» Among businesses reporting weaker performance,
common challenges included water shortages, coal price fluctuations, staffing issues, and rising operating costs.
» Performance is expected to remain stable in 2025-26, with no change forecast in the index.
57
55
56
2020 March
2021
2022
64
63
63
63
2023
2024
2025
2026 (Forecast)
50 40 30 20 10 0
Stronger
Neutral
Weaker