🎯 IISA Unveils 'Mobilising Australia's Missing Middle' Paper

Industry Innovation and Science Australia (IISA), the independent advisory body guiding Australia's science, research, and innovation system, has released a pivotal discussion paper titled Mobilising Australia's missing middle on February 24, 2026. This timely publication spotlights medium-sized enterprises (MSEs)—firms employing 20 to 199 people—as the 'missing middle' in Australia's business landscape. Often overshadowed by startups and large corporations, MSEs hold untapped potential to drive productivity, innovation, and economic resilience.

The paper arrives amid stagnant productivity growth and calls for targeted strategies to help these firms scale, innovate, and contribute more robustly to national goals like priority sector development and technology diffusion. By clarifying MSE characteristics and barriers, IISA aims to shift policy and industry focus toward this underappreciated cohort.

What Defines Australia's 'Missing Middle' MSEs?

Medium-sized enterprises, or MSEs, are typically defined by employment size: businesses with 20 to 199 full-time equivalent employees, aligning with Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) classifications used in many government programs. This bracket captures firms past the startup phase but not yet giants, often with turnovers between $10 million and $100 million and assets in similar ranges, though definitions vary slightly across regulators like ASIC ($50 million turnover threshold) or APRA ($75 million).

In 2023-24, MSEs comprised just 2.6% of Australian businesses (68,214 firms), yet punched above their weight with 25.6% of employment and 22.9% of industry value added. An average MSE employs 49.5 people, generates $17.4 million in turnover, pays $3.7 million in wages, and delivers $1.6 million EBITDA. Compared to small firms (0-19 employees, 97.2% of businesses), MSEs boast higher value added per employee ($123.4k vs $115.4k) and wages ($73.8k vs $43.5k), but trail large firms (200+ employees).

Australia's 'missing middle' stems from this disproportionately low MSE share versus OECD peers. In manufacturing, MSEs form only 7.4% of firms, versus 20.5% in Germany, 14.6% in Canada, and 8.2% in the US. This structural gap contributes to productivity slowdowns, with MSEs more prone to shrinking than expanding.

The Economic Powerhouse Role of MSEs

MSEs bridge small firms' agility and large firms' resources, acting as technology diffusers and supply chain linchpins. They exhibit outsized impacts through R&D intensity, export orientation, and resilience. Nationally, MSEs account for 29% of business expenditure on R&D (BERD) in 2024—up from 21% in 2012—with R&D per employee matching large firms and exceeding small ones. Notably, 68% have adopted AI, 28 points above small businesses, with highest optimism for productivity gains.

MSEs drive high growth: they host the highest rate of high-growth manufacturing firms (>20% annual turnover growth over three years). Regionally, their share rises in remote areas (e.g., NT: 4.3% firms, 27.1% workers), anchoring economies where distance hampers large operations. In priority sectors like manufacturing and mining, MSEs contribute strongly, fostering essential services and supply chain stability.

International Benchmarks: Germany’s Mittelstand Lessons

Germany's Mittelstand—family-owned MSE equivalents with 10-250 employees—offers a blueprint. Comprising 16.5% of businesses and 42% of manufacturing workforce, they generate 35% of manufacturing value added through niche exports, high R&D, and apprenticeships (83% of training). Revenue growth outpaces larger firms, with resilience from local roots and bottom-up innovation.

Australia could emulate by sustaining mid-sized firms beyond micro-enterprise churn, enhancing export value (MSEs handle 80% of SME exports but only 5% total), and prioritizing management training for 20-200 employee firms. Unlike Australia's export dominance by mining giants, Germany's model diversifies via continuous improvement and global niches.

Explore the full IISA paper for detailed comparisons.

Innovation and Growth Strengths Spotlighted

MSEs lead in adaptability: one-third altered goods/services in 2022, surpassing small and large firms. Their export resilience shines post-shocks, with diverse markets buffering volatility. High-growth manufacturing MSEs exemplify potential, while AI optimism positions them for tech diffusion. Yet, productivity lags large firms, underscoring scale needs.

• Highest R&D intensity across cohorts
• 68% AI adoption rate
• Strongest high-growth firm concentration in manufacturing
• Key supply chain connectors for small-large linkages

Examples include innovative manufacturers like Conflux Technology (metal 3D printing) and Packserv, recognized in Australia's 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers lists, showcasing MSE-scale breakthroughs in advanced tech.

Key Challenges Hampering MSE Scale-Up

Despite strengths, MSEs face entrenched barriers. Scale-up falters: firms more likely to downsize than expand, per IISA's 2023 Barriers to Collaboration and Commercialisation report, due to low risk appetite, regulatory loads, and market info gaps.

Finance access lags amid high costs and limited domestic markets; talent shortages hit regional MSEs hardest, constraining absorptive capacity. 2026 forecasts highlight CFO challenges like AI ROI, talent gaps, and costs for mid-sized firms. Programs often lump MSEs with SMEs, diluting support.

To attract skilled innovators, MSEs can tap platforms like higher ed jobs for research and tech talent.

Opportunities to Unlock MSE Potential

IISA envisions MSEs reversing Australia's productivity decline (Figure 1 in paper shows 2004-24 stagnation) and economic complexity drop. High-growth manufacturing and AI adoption signal levers for priority sectors like quantum and robotics. Demand-side innovation via public procurement could anchor scale.

Regional MSEs offer resilience: growing shares in remote NT/TAS bolster communities. Tailored support—e.g., R&D for ambitious smaller MSEs, risk reduction for larger cautious ones—promises higher ROI amid fiscal pressures.

IISA's Roadmap: Policy and Action Steps

The paper urges treating MSEs distinctly from SMEs/startups in strategies. Refine programs for MSE needs, consolidate funds, foster small-large linkages. Future IISA priorities:

• Success stories from regions/overseas
• Highlight MSEs in growth programs
• Program tweaks for uplift
• Barrier-reducing levers
• Demand-side innovation factors

Emulate Mittelstand via apprenticeships and niches.Related 2023 IISA report

Regional Impacts and High-Growth Examples

MSEs thrive regionally: WA/QLD/TAS exceed national averages in employment share. High-growth manufacturing MSEs, like those in TXM's 2023 innovative list (e.g., ANCA CNC machines), demonstrate scale via R&D and exports. Regional anchors mitigate distance challenges, vital for remote economies.

InnovationAus notes MSEs as prosperity keys, urging mobilization.

Photo by Tarryn Grignet on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Transforming Australia's Economy

Mobilising MSEs could elevate productivity, competitiveness, and resilience amid global shifts. With 2026 SME confidence rising via digitization/AI (MYOB data), targeted support aligns with national priorities. IISA's series promises deeper evidence, potentially emulating Germany's Mittelstand success.

Stakeholders: policymakers refine levers; industry builds linkages; MSE leaders pursue growth. Explore higher ed career advice for innovation talent strategies.

Download the full paper to dive deeper.

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