Driving Growth: Immigrant Entrepreneurs Shaping Australia’s SME Landscape

1. Bourkies Bakehouse (Woodend, VIC)

· Founder: Adam Bourke

· Background: While not founded by immigrants, Bourkies Bakehouse has become a cornerstone of Woodend's main street, offering award-winning vanilla slices and pies.

· Impact: The bakery has revitalised the local community, providing employment and attracting visitors to the Macedon Ranges.

2. PappaRich Australia (Nationwide)

· Founders: Saw Tatt Ghee and PappaRich Group Sdn Bhd (Malaysia)

· Story: Established in 2012 through a joint venture, PappaRich introduced the Malaysian kopitiam (casual eatery) culture to Australia, expanding into a franchise model across major cities.

· Impact: Created jobs in hospitality, introduced multicultural cuisines, and attracted international students and locals alike.

3. Haigh’s Chocolates (SA & VIC)

· Founders: Alfred E. Haigh (1915), with Italian craftsmanship influence post-WWII

· Story: Founded in 1915 by Alfred E. Haigh, the company expanded with the expertise of Italian chocolatiers who migrated after WWII, refining recipes and production methods.

· Impact: Haigh’s has grown into a national brand, employing hundreds and maintaining artisan manufacturing in Adelaide and Melbourne.

4. SAY WEAR (Cabramatta, NSW)

· Founders: Vietnamese refugee family

· Story: Established as a small tailoring shop in Cabramatta, SAY WEAR expanded into a fashion SME supplying uniforms and casualwear.

· Impact: Provides local jobs and highlights migrant-driven textile skills, contributing to the local economy.

5. Kingaroy Cheese (QLD)

· Founder: Marc Michel, Swiss-born cheesemaker

· Story: Marc Michel established Kingaroy Cheese in rural Queensland, producing boutique cheeses inspired by European methods but adapted to local ingredients.

· Impact: Supports agritourism and local dairy farmers, contributing to the regional economy.

6. Tassal Group (TAS)

· Founders: Greek migrant families among early fish farmers

· Story: Started as small aquaculture SMEs before consolidating into today’s Tassal Group, now a leading player in Australia's seafood industry.

· Impact: Migrant know-how helped establish salmon farming in Tasmania, an industry that now employs thousands.

7. Small IT Consultancies (Sydney & Melbourne)

· Examples: Boutique IT service firms founded by Indian and Chinese migrants in areas like Parramatta and Box Hill

· Story: These SMEs provide cloud services, cybersecurity, and development outsourcing for Australian corporates.

· Impact: Often growing from a handful of employees to 50–100 staff, they contribute significantly to the IT sector's growth.

Why SMEs Matter in Migrant Business History

· Numbers: Over one-third of SMEs in Australia are owned by migrants, according to the Department of Industry.

· Employment: Migrant SMEs often hire within their communities first, providing pathways for newly arrived Australians.

· Diversity of Sectors: From food and fashion to construction, IT, and healthcare, migrant entrepreneurs have diversified Australia's SME landscape.

· Regional Impact: Many operate in smaller towns, sustaining local economies and fostering community development.

These examples underscore the vital role of migrant entrepreneurs in shaping Australia's SME sector, demonstrating how cultural diversity drives innovation and economic growth.