Ballarat Businesses Positioned to Meet Local Needs as Regional Economy Expands

Ballarat recorded a Gross Regional Product of $8.3 billion in 2022, up 10.3 per cent from 2021 and nearly $1 billion higher than two years earlier. This expansion provides the backdrop for the 9,952 registered businesses operating in the city as of 2023, many of which serve everyday local needs in healthcare, retail and services.

Economic Growth and Business Base

The 10.3 per cent GRP increase between 2021 and 2022 reflects broader activity that supports local operators. Council adopted a 2.75 per cent rate increase for 2026/27 to manage ongoing pressures while aiming to keep services sustainable. These conditions affect how businesses plan for costs and investment in the city.

Employment and Population Context

Jobs in Ballarat reached 62,005 in 2022/23, a 3.5 per cent rise from the prior year. Healthcare and Social Assistance accounted for 21.9 per cent of employment, the largest sector. Population stood at an estimated 118,137 in 2023 after a 9.78 per cent rise of 10,529 residents between 2018 and 2023. These figures indicate steady demand for services that many local businesses supply.

Visitor Spending and Future Outlook

The visitor economy contributed more than $772 million in 2023 from 2.9 million visitors, with a projection to $1.13 billion by 2033. Local businesses in hospitality and related sectors draw on this activity alongside resident spending. Council documents note the need to maintain financial sustainability alongside cost-of-living measures in the 2026/27 budget.

Businesses continue to respond to these established trends in population, jobs and visitor numbers. The adopted rate rise and existing economic data provide the immediate framework for planning in the year ahead.