Examining the financial and commercial literacy of Australian Indigenous small business owners

Financial and commercial literacy are essential skills for small business owners to navigate an increasingly complex financial landscape. This study examines the financial and commercial literacy of 592 Indigenous and non-Indigenous small business owners. We found that small business owners had low levels of financial and commercial literacy with significant differences for Indigenous small business owners located in remote areas and for non-Indigenous small business owners who are female, young, and who have lower levels of education. We demonstrate the need for more support to improve financial literacy among small business owners to enhance the long-term sustainability of their enterprises.