Tradies set for festive revenue surge as homeowners race to finish renovations

Australians focus on home improvements

Builders, electricians and plumbers are set to have a busy period leading up to Christmas, as CommBank data highlights the small business sectors most likely to benefit from the busy festive season.

CommBank’s business customer data over the last two years shows that small business revenue is typically around 10 per cent higher in the final quarter of the year (1 October – 31 December) compared to the first three months of a calendar year (January – March). Some sectors, however, are set to benefit more than others from the busy spending period.

CommBank Executive General Manager Small Business Banking, Bec Warren said rather than splurging at local boutiques, accommodation, cafes and restaurants – where revenue tends to remain steady year-round – Australians prioritise long-postponed home improvement projects before the New Year.

“Small businesses in construction saw a 19 per cent revenue boost between October to December last year, while electricians and plumbers also experienced a busy Christmas-period with revenue up 16 per cent,” said Ms Warren.

“Accommodation, cafes and restaurants were only up 4.8 per cent compared to the January-March 2025 period, perhaps signalling that the festive season continues well into the early months of the year.”

State-by-state highlights

Across Australia, project-driven sectors such as construction, utilities, and professional services dominate festive-season spending, with resources and government activity creating standout spikes in some regions.

• Construction is king: There was double-digit festive uplift in nearly every state during Q4 2024, led by Victoria (+21.4 per cent) and Queensland (+20.3 per cent), reflecting strong demand for building and renovation jobs.
  
• Utilities surge in the south and territories: Electricity, Gas & Water jumped +30.5 per cent in Tasmania, +30.1 per cent in Victoria, and +23.4 per cent in ACT, highlighting infrastructure and energy demand.
• Resources power on: WA (+13.2 per cent) and SA (+14.5 per cent) recorded strong gains.
• Professional services and finance climb: Property & Business Services rose across most states, peaking in NT (+33.7 per cent), while Finance hit +59.3 per cent in NT and +21.6 per cent in Tasmania. 
• Retail and hospitality steady: Retail posted moderate gains nationwide, topping out in Victoria (+10.1 per cent), while Accommodation and Food Services remained flat or low growth in most regions.

Managing the peaks and troughs 

CommBank data also shows that while small business revenue dips slightly in the first three months of the year, it typically rebounds from April onwards.

Ms Warren said while the festive spending season may provide a much-needed cash boost to the small business sector, there are pockets within it that are still doing it tough.

“We recognise that for some small businesses, the benefits from recovering household spending may come slower than for others and we are here to support them in navigating those challenges,” she added.

Ms Warren said there are steps small businesses can take now to maximise the lead up to Christmas as well as manage the quiet period at the beginning of the year.

“Small business owners who have been in the game for a while know that activity fluctuates throughout the year, so it’s about taking full advantage of the busier periods – perhaps by careful inventory planning, increasing marketing, and preparing for the quieter months.”

Tips for maximising revenue during the festive season

• Boost marketing: Increase visibility through social media, local advertising, and customer loyalty offers. Use CommBank Business Insights in the app to identify peak spending times and tailor promotions accordingly.
• Plan inventory and forecast trends: Use cashflow insights in the CommBank app for Business to forecast demand and plan stock levels. Leverage BizExpress for quick access to working capital to support incoming orders.
• Make it easy for customers to buy: Offer easy check-out experience with flexible payment options and reliable POS systems to avoid downtime during peak trading.
• Reduce costs: Maximising revenue sometimes means minimising operating costs; explore CommBank Yello for Business offers for discounts on essentials like energy, tech, and services. Automate processes with CommBank Smart Terminal and integrated POS solutions. 
• Upskill during the quiet period: Resources such as CommBank’s Small Business Masterclass offer free practical lessons, expert tools on areas such as AI and cashflow that provide helpful insights to business owners.