More than a third of small business operators have revealed they were diagnosed with a mental health condition in a work, health and safety (WHS) business survey by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

The 2024 National Business WHS Survey by Australia’s largest and most representative business network revealed 34 per cent of respondents had a mental health condition.

In another telling sign, the survey also revealed the sentiment from businesses regardless of size was that they are overwhelmed with increasing regulation and constant change.

The 34 per cent result compares to 22% in the 2022 Small Business and Mental Health report and 21.5% of Australians aged 16 to 85 in ABS data.

The breakdown of the survey showed of the 34 per cent diagnosed with mental health issues:

• 23 per cent suffered anxiety

• 17 per cent suffered depression

• 15 per cent had a stress related problem, and

• Four per cent had other mental health conditions

ACCI chief executive officer Andrew McKellar said the survey reveals the human cost by the challenges imposed on small business owners.

“Small business owners are human beings and when they get overwhelmed, they break,” said Mr McKellar.

“These are people who are trying to make a go of it, who are trying to start a business, get ahead and create something for their family and when they run into brick wall after brick wall they get to the point where they struggle to cope.”

The survey presents the perspectives and concerns of a broad cross-section of Australian businesses from ACCI’s member network and beyond.

Mr McKellar says the survey results show a spiral of the increasing costs of doing business, increasing red tape and a lack of support for small business.

“This shows small business is under extreme pressure and the results are a wake-up call, to our policy makers to address the over regulation of our business sector, it should not have to come to this,” Mr McKellar said.

The ACCI 2024 National Business WHS Survey represents the views of small, medium and large businesses, from all Australian states and territories, and across industry sectors. The survey was completed by 324 businesses. The survey was in field from 21st August to 18th September 2024.

The full results of the survey can be read here.