Intuit Says Australian SMBs Are Leading Global AI Adoption And Hiring More Because Of It

Australian small and mid-sized businesses are adopting artificial intelligence at a pace that matches or exceeds their international counterparts, with the technology driving measurable gains in productivity, revenue and employment, according to a large-scale study by Intuit.

The company’s 2026 AI Impact Report draws on anonymised administrative data from more than 5.3 million businesses using QuickBooks, along with survey responses from over 34,000 small and mid-sized businesses across Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.

The findings paint a picture of AI as a tool for business expansion and operational efficiency rather than a mechanism for cutting headcount.

AI adoption nearly doubles in 18 months

Regular AI use among Australian SMBs has climbed from 40 per cent in July 2024 to 69 per cent in January 2026. Daily usage has almost tripled in the same period, rising from 9 per cent to 28 per cent.

That puts Australia roughly in line with its global peers. Around 70 per cent of UK businesses report regular AI use, while in the US and Canada the figures sit at 77 per cent and 69 per cent respectively.

Accounting, administration and marketing are among the most common applications, with around 12 per cent of Australian businesses describing AI as a core part of how they operate.

Jobs growing, not shrinking

The report challenges a persistent narrative that AI is primarily a threat to employment.

In Australia, 19 per cent of businesses using AI report increased employment as a direct result, compared to just 6 per cent reporting declines. The pattern holds across all four markets surveyed, pointing to a broader trend of AI enabling rather than replacing human work.

Andrew McKellar, CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), pointed to the practical benefits the technology is delivering.

“Our small business community is both time-poor and dealing with rising cost pressures, and it’s clear that they are adopting AI tools in increasing numbers to help on both those fronts,” McKellar explained.

“Used effectively, AI can deliver practical productivity gains, free up time, improve efficiency and support better work-life balance.”

Productivity and revenue gains

The productivity numbers are hard to ignore. Some 79 per cent of Australian SMBs using AI report productivity improvements, up from 37 per cent in mid-2024. That figure edges ahead of the US at 78 per cent and the UK at 73 per cent.

Revenue is also tracking upward. Around 43 per cent of Australian businesses attribute increased revenue to their use of AI, while only 3 to 4 per cent report declines. A quarter of businesses report reduced operating costs.

Suzy Nicoletti, Regional Vice President at Intuit APAC, described the gap between businesses that have integrated AI and those that have not.

“The productivity and revenue gains we’re seeing among Australian businesses that have genuinely integrated AI aren’t marginal, they’re the difference between a business that grows and one that treads water,” Nicoletti observed.

Privacy remains the top barrier

For many small businesses, the challenge is not a lack of access to AI tools but uncertainty about how to use them safely and effectively.

Privacy and security concerns are the leading barrier to adoption in Australia, cited by 39 per cent of businesses. That figure is higher than in the US (36 per cent), the UK (35 per cent) and Canada (36 per cent).

Limited knowledge of what AI can do and fear of getting it wrong round out the top three obstacles.

Nicoletti argued the solution lies with an existing network of trusted advisers.

“The three biggest blockers are privacy concerns, limited knowledge of what AI can do, and fear of getting it wrong. That’s a confidence problem, and confidence problems have a solution,” she noted.

“Australia’s 40,000-plus accountants and bookkeepers are already trusted by practically every small business in the country. Equip them well on AI, and you close the confidence gap at scale.”

Federal Budget falls short on direct support

The findings arrive against the backdrop of the Federal Budget, which made the $20,000 instant asset write-off permanent and committed $62 million to the Consumer Data Right.

While both measures have been welcomed, the Budget did not include a direct adoption subsidy for AI-enabled or digital tools. Intuit has flagged this as a gap, arguing the government’s response remains largely supply-side while many small businesses still need support to make the leap.

McKellar framed AI adoption as something businesses can no longer afford to delay.

“AI adoption is now a competitive imperative, and ACCI is supporting small and mid-sized businesses to build the digital capability and confidence needed to adopt it,” he added.

“These findings should provide more businesses with the confidence to turn AI curiosity into action.”

The data behind the report

The 2026 AI Impact Report combines anonymised administrative data from more than 5.3 million businesses with survey responses from over 34,000 small and mid-sized businesses across Australia, the US, the UK and Canada. The data covers the period from 2021 to 2025, with surveys conducted between July 2024 and January 2026.

Last Updated on May 13, 2026 by Nick Ross