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Australia startup and venture ecosystem
Where startups are forming across Australia: the cities, accelerators and investors, and how you get close to them.
The ecosystem
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports $24.410 billion in business R&D expenditure in 2023-24, equal to 0.9% of GDP. It records 104,172 person-years devoted to business R&D and an 18% expenditure increase from 2021-22 to 2023-24.
StartupBlink ranks Australia ninth in its 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Index and reports 22.9% growth for that index result. Its country rankings adjust for population, while its city rankings use absolute measures.
Sectors and strengths
Information and computing sciences accounted for 42% of business R&D by field of research in 2023-24. By industry, professional, scientific and technical services recorded $9,171 million, manufacturing $5,047 million, and finance and insurance $3,479 million in business R&D expenditure.
As of . Official information. Source: Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia, 2023-24 financial year
StartupBlink ranks Australia fifth globally in Ecommerce and Retail in its 2026 index.
As of . Official information. Source: Best Countries for Startups in 2026
Hubs and regional differences
Startup Genome places Sydney 25th globally in its 2025 ecosystem ranking and ranks it first in Oceania for Knowledge, Funding, and Performance. StartupBlink separately says Sydney entered its global top 30 cities in 2026.
As of . Official information. Source: Oceania’s Innovation Landscape: A Rising Star in GSER 2025; Best Countries for Startups in 2026
Startup Genome ranks Melbourne 32nd globally in 2025 and reports 14% growth in its ecosystem’s VC funding; it also identifies Payapp as a top-valued Melbourne ecosystem exit at $390 million. StartupBlink places Melbourne 34th in its 2026 city ranking and reports 37.8% growth; these are results from distinct publishers and editions.
As of . Official information. Source: Oceania’s Innovation Landscape: A Rising Star in GSER 2025; Best Countries for Startups in 2026
ABS attributes $9,630 million of business R&D to activity performed in New South Wales and $6,953 million to activity performed in Victoria in 2023-24. These figures are based on where the research occurred, not company headquarters; New South Wales had the highest reported BERD-to-GSP ratio, at 1.17%.
As of . Official information. Source: Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia, 2023-24 financial year
For founders
The ABS business indicators provide economy-wide context rather than startup-specific benchmarks: among employing businesses, subject to ABS exclusions, 46% were innovation-active in 2024-25, while 18% sought debt or equity finance. ABS reports research performed in New South Wales and Victoria separately; those figures should not be read as company-headquarters totals.
As of . Official information. Source: Characteristics of Australian Business, 2024-25 financial year; Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia, 2023-24 financial year
For investors
StartupBlink’s 2026 country ranking is population-adjusted, while its city rankings use absolute measures. Startup Genome reports 2025 city results for both Sydney and Melbourne; StartupBlink reports 2026 city results for both, so comparisons should retain the publisher and edition.
As of . Official information. Source: Best Countries for Startups in 2026; Oceania’s Innovation Landscape: A Rising Star in GSER 2025
Constraints and recent changes
In its 2024-25 survey of employing businesses, subject to ABS exclusions, the ABS reports that 46% were innovation-active and 38% were innovating. The same survey reports that 12% received financial or advisory assistance from an Australian government organization and 18% sought debt or equity finance.
As of . Official information. Source: Characteristics of Australian Business, 2024-25 financial year
The ABS released Australian Statistical Geography Standard Edition 4 on 22 July 2026 for the July 2026 to June 2031 period. It defines SA4 areas as statistical units designed to represent labor markets and capital-city functional areas, a distinction from municipal boundaries.
As of . Official information. Source: Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS), Edition 4, July 2026 - June 2031
WIPO ranks Australia 20th in the 2026 Global Innovation Index, with innovation inputs ranked 13th and outputs 24th. WIPO says the edition primarily reflects data from 2024 through 2026.
As of . Official information. Source: Global Innovation Index 2026 - GII 2026 results
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Australia ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (countries) | 2026 | #9 | Up 3 | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
 Doing Business (Ease of Doing Business ranking) | Doing Business 2020 | #14 | Up 4 | B | Business Climate |
 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking | 2026 | #17 | Down 4 | B | Competitiveness, Business Climate, Performance |
 Bloomberg Innovation Index | 2019 | #19 | Down 6 | B | Innovation, Research |
 Global Innovation Index | 2025 | #22 | Up 1 | A | Innovation, Competitiveness, Research, Talent |
1,141 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Australia
Investors 796
Investor
InvestorYour partner in banking and financial services.
InvestorInnovating transport solutions for a better NSW.
The 3 most prominent of 796. Browse all investors
Accelerators 129
AcceleratorReview Startmate's documented accelerator identity, programs, and sources.
AcceleratorEnergyLab is Australia's largest climate tech startup accelerator, based in Chippendale, New South Wales. It supports startups focused on technologies…
AcceleratorMedTech Actuator is a MedTech accelerator and incubator based in Melbourne, Australia, with additional locations in Singapore and Osaka. It focuses on…
The 3 most prominent of 129. Browse all accelerators
Venture studios 110
Venture studioCreating and commercializing digital technology ventures.
Venture studioBuilding and scaling digital products and technology companies.
Venture studioYour permanent home for software solutions.
The 3 most prominent of 110. Browse all venture studios
Incubators 106
IncubatorAustralia's leading deep tech incubator
IncubatorEmpowering entrepreneurs at UNSW.
IncubatorEmpowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The 3 most prominent of 106. Browse all incubators
Based here, most-ranked first
Universities in Australia
UniversityListed in 8 rankings
UniversityListed in 8 rankings
UniversityListed in 8 rankings
UniversityListed in 5 rankings
UniversityListed in 4 rankings
UniversityListed in 2 rankings
UniversityListed in 1 ranking
Pick what describes you
Your way in
Raising in Australia
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
Get investor introsFinding startups in Australia
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Australia
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingCity guides
Cities in Australia
The largest 4 of 12 published city guides.
Questions about Australia
How does Australia rank as a startup ecosystem?
Australia is #9 of 120 in StartupBlink Index (countries) (2026). It appears in 5 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Australia?
796 investors based in Australia have a profile here, including Innovation Bay, NAB and Transport for NSW. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Australia?
Yes. Australia has 129 accelerators, 106 incubators and 110 venture studios on record, including Startmate, Cicada Innovations and Lakeba.
Which universities are in Australia?
7 universities have a profile: UNSW, University of Melbourne and University of Sydney and more.
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