In February 2025, we released the latest Canberra Business Beat report, which shows that most firms are still not hitting their performance targets, and just over a quarter are expecting their businesses to shrink over the next year. The increased cost of doing business is a key problem facing many businesses, alongside reduced customer demand, compliance issues and cashflow. A third of firms say it’s harder to do business here in the ACT, and our report suggests Workers’ Comp insurance is around 47 per cent higher here than right across the border in New South Wales.