Starting a business from scratch is no easy thing in this day and age.

However, a new study has found that Dubbo is one of the best places in the State and country to do just that!

The analysis ranks our city as the fifth-best town to start a business in NSW; and also among the top 25 in the country.

Accounting software firm Reckon evaluated the top 50 most-populated Australian cities to determine where in Australia is the best for start-ups in 2025, Reckon CEO Sam Allert explained.

“Starting a small business in Australia isn’t easy, especially with the rising cost of living; but small businesses really are the engine room of our economy, and we’re seeing growth pop up in places you might not expect,” Mr Allert said.

“When we looked at things like talent, infrastructure and affordability, it became clear that opportunity is no longer confined to the capital cities,” he added.

The study analysed 17 factors in four major categories: Talent Pool, Business Landscape, Internet Speed, and Cost of Living.

Dubbo emerged as a promising city for launching a business in 2025, ranking in the top half-dozen in NSW with an index score of 50.33/100, well above average.

The city also scores above average in its internet speed score (65.41/100) and cost of living score (80.13/100).

Although its talent pool score and business landscape are below average, at 32.25/100 and 21/100 respectively, Dubbo has seen a slight improvement in its national ranking since last year, a study spokesperson said.

“This reflects a growing balance between business opportunities, talent and connectivity. It also suggests that the gap between major cities and regional hubs for start-ups is steadily closing,” they added.

“For business owners, flexibility is everything,” Mr Allert believes.

“It’s important to always keep an eye on emerging markets with the right mix of talent, affordability and infrastructure,” he explained.

Dubbo has also secured a spot within the top 25 cities to start a business in Australia in 2025, ranking 23rd nationally.

This is ahead of other populated regions such as Orange, Bathurst and the Central Coast. Its standout strength lies in its cost-of-living rate.

Regional areas are proving that they are becoming the smarter choice for startups, as Dubbo offers cheaper rent ($505), affordable monthly mortgages ($2593.63), and manageable transport costs ($387.03). In comparison, Perth (68.35/100), Brisbane (66.72/100), and Adelaide (66.25/100) emerged as the top capital cities for a start-up business, likely due to the growing population and business-friendly environment, among other factors.

“A lot of the time, the best opportunities are in places flying under the radar,” Mr Allert said. “Invest in digital, stay close to your local community, and don’t be afraid to think beyond the big cities – that’s where you’ll often find the real potential,” he argued.