More than 60 per cent of Australian entrepreneurs expect to hire more staff this year, up from 31 per cent a year ago, according to a new survey released by global accounting powerhouse EY. 
According to the EY Global Job Creation Survey 2016 - which surveyed almost 2700 entrepreneurs around the world - 47 per cent of Australian entrepreneurs grew their workforce faster than expected in the past year. The global average is 40 per cent.
EY middle market leader Schalk Barnard said almost half of the Australian entrepreneurs surveyed said their growth had been largely organic. Another 26 per cent said business growth had been driven by mergers and acquisitions, and alliances.
"Even against a backdrop of subdued economic growth, Australian entrepreneurs are growing at rates they didn't forecast a year ago," Mr Barnard said. "There is no doubt this sector is becoming more and more important to our domestic economy."
The global survey found "disruptive" entrepreneurs and those who had created a brand new product or service were growing at a much faster rate than other entrepreneurs.
Mr Barnard said the biggest challenge for Australian entrepreneurs seeking growth in the next 12 months would be identifying, attracting and serving new customers.
The survey also found:
 12 per cent of all new staff in Australia are expected to come from overseas 79 per cent of Australian entrepreneurs feel confident about the domestic economy Economic instability globally and in Australia, along with domestic political instability, are considered the three greatest challenges by local entrepreneurs