Australian sole traders embrace AI for daily business

Australian sole traders have increased their use of artificial intelligence tools, according to new survey data from Hnry. The poll found 74 per cent now use AI tools.

Hnry's latest Sole Trader Pulse found 41 per cent use AI daily or weekly, up from 58 per cent using AI tools overall in 2024. Business use rose to 69 per cent from 49 per cent a year earlier.

The findings suggest self-employed workers are increasingly using AI to run small businesses on their own, particularly for administrative tasks and routine knowledge work. Hnry's internal data also showed customer spending on AI tools had doubled each year since 2023.

OpenAI was the most-used AI tool among Hnry customers, followed by Anthropic and Gemini. Regular AI use for work more than doubled in less than two years, rising from 18 per cent in June 2024 to 37 per cent in March 2026.

Sector split

Adoption was highest among consultants, with 80 per cent saying they had used AI for work. That compared with 72 per cent of freelancers and health and wellness professionals, and 62 per cent of tradespeople and contractors.

Sentiment also improved over the survey period, with positive views of AI rising to 56 per cent in March 2026 from 34 per cent in 2024.

The research was based on a survey of Australia's sole trader market, which Hnry estimated at 1.7 million people. Fieldwork was conducted between 8 and 16 March 2026 and carried a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 per cent.

Case studies included in the release suggest much of AI's appeal lies in time savings for operators managing every aspect of their business alone. For many sole traders, that means using AI not only for client-facing work, but also for quoting, communications and planning.

Joe Tomalin, a handyman and gardener in South Australia's Eyre Peninsula, described a sharp reduction in administrative time. "Previously, I would spend around 10 hours a week on admin work, but with AI, I can knock that over in two hours," Tomalin said.

He also outlined the range of work he now handles with AI's help. "I use it for estimating jobs, drafting emails, my business plan, and generally making my life easier. I love how it has gotten to know me and can anticipate my needs, offering advice so I don't make costly mistakes," Tomalin said.

Another user cited in the findings was Melbourne-based graphic designer Simon Hart, who said AI tools had changed both the scale and pace of his work.

"It has empowered me to be the equivalent of a team of five graphic designers. I use AI tools for all manner of things from asset creation to research, data analysis and error checking, which has accelerated my business by 300%," Hart said.

Productivity gains

Karan Anand, managing director of Hnry Australia, said the data showed AI moving into everyday operations for sole traders rather than being treated as a novelty. He linked the growing use to direct experience with the tools.

"Regular AI use for work has more than doubled in under two years, from 18 per cent in June 2024 to 37 per cent in March 2026. More than a quarter say AI could help them work more efficiently and productively, indicating AI is becoming a serious game-changer for day-to-day operations for sole traders," Anand said.

He said the shift had broader implications for the economics of self-employment, as technology allows one person to do work that previously required a larger organisation.

"AI is no longer a novelty; it's becoming standard in how the majority of sole traders operate, and it's a pivotal moment for the sole trader economy. A capable sole trader in 2026 can do what a six-person agency did in 2019.

"There's an exponential opportunity for sole traders to improve productivity and scale. Those embracing AI early are giving themselves a competitive advantage in a market that's increasingly driven by productivity and efficiency," Anand said.

Hnry provides accounting and tax services for sole traders in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. It says it processes billions of dollars in payments each year and has raised nearly $100 million in investment since launching in 2018.