Insights
Best practices and tips on spend management, automated expense tracking and corporate debit cards for Australian SMB and enterprise businesses.
Understanding how Australian small and medium businesses are spending is more important than ever in 2025. From rising operating costs to shifting workforce needs, finance leaders are navigating uncertainty while making smarter, data-informed decisions.
That’s why Budgetly released the The State of SME Spend in Australia 2025 report
— an in-depth look at how businesses across Australia are managing operational expenses, prioritising resources, and planning for growth.
This article explores a few of the insights uncovered in the report—but to access the full data and recommendations, we invite you to download the full version at the end.
Why SME spend patterns matter in 2025
In a year marked by inflationary pressure, global uncertainty, and evolving digital demands, Australian SMEs are rethinking how they allocate every dollar. Whether it's scaling back on travel or doubling down on staff training, how a business spends directly reflects its priorities—and resilience.
For CFOs and bookkeepers, these shifts are more than just numbers. They shape budgeting decisions, tax planning, and long-term strategy.
What the Budgetly SME Spend Report covers
The 2025 SME Spend Report captures real data and feedback from finance teams across Australia. It focuses on:
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Key areas of operational spend
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Capital vs non-capital expenditure trends
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Categories such as hiring, training, tech, and overheads
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Insights into policy controls and spend management maturity
It’s a valuable benchmarking tool for businesses seeking to compare their approach with others in their industry or size bracket.
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Looking for more SME insights? Check out these free Budgetly resources: 
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Shifts in non-capital vs capital expenditure
One key trend the report highlights is a growing prioritisation of non-capital spending. More businesses are directing funds toward flexible, short-term needs—like cloud software, temporary staff, or digital tools—instead of committing to large-scale asset investments.
This aligns with the shift toward agility and remote-ready operations. With many SMEs looking to preserve cash flow, OPEX-friendly models are taking precedence.
The role of expense visibility and control
Another recurring theme is the desire for greater expense visibility. Many businesses still lack real-time insight into employee and departmental spending, making it difficult to manage budgets proactively.
Tools that support expense management, like corporate prepaid cards or budget management software, are emerging as essential—not just for control but for enabling smarter, faster decision-making.
Opportunities for finance leaders
The report identifies an opportunity for CFOs and bookkeepers to take a more strategic role. Finance teams are increasingly influencing operational decisions by:
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Driving cost control initiatives
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Supporting tech adoption for visibility
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Developing scalable policies that keep teams accountable
By investing in tools and processes that bring spend under control, businesses can shift from reactive reporting to proactive planning.
How Budgetly supports better spend management
Budgetly provides the tools SMEs need to manage expenses with confidence:
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Issue corporate cards or virtual cards with defined limits
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Track expenses in real time via desktop or mobile
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Automatically capture receipts and match them to purchases
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Integrate easily with accounting platforms like Xero
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Empower finance teams to create accountability across departments
These capabilities are designed to reduce admin, improve accuracy, and support a more strategic finance function.
Budgetly’s Free Report on ‘The State of SME Spend in Australia 2025’
To explore the full set of findings and gain deeper insights into what’s changing in SME spending, download the full Budgetly SME Spend Report 2025.
Download the report now and see how your business compares.
