Saj Abdoolakhan will soon step into a role that touches the daily lives of thousands of Western Australians. As the newly appointed Small Business Commissioner and chief executive officer of the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC), he’ll be front and centre in efforts to support one of the State’s most vital economic forces. Backed by years of public sector know-how and regulatory experience, his leadership is being seen as the next phase in strengthening a sector that keeps shopfronts open, vans on roads and ideas ticking across the State.
Taking on dual responsibilities, Abdoolakhan will serve both as the voice for small business owners and the operational head of the SBDC. He brings with him a track record from senior leadership roles at the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, where his work involved navigating complex regulatory frameworks in building and energy safety. His appointment places someone familiar with balancing policy, compliance and practical delivery at the helm of a sector driven by people who are often time-poor and regulation-weary.
There’s weight behind the timing of this move. Small businesses make up close to 97 per cent of all enterprises in Western Australia. That’s more than 247,000 businesses spread across trades, retail, services, and emerging industries. Together, they contribute more than $50 billion to the State’s economy each year. Whether it’s a corner café in Mandurah, a landscaping firm in Broome, or a pop-up food stall in Fremantle, these businesses aren’t just running tills—they’re creating jobs, backing families and shaping local communities.
The SBDC has long offered practical support, from free advisory services and business skills workshops to low-cost dispute resolution. These are the quiet tools that can keep a new venture afloat during tough patches or help an experienced business owner navigate expansion. With Abdoolakhan now leading that machinery, the expectation is that the organisation’s role in economic diversification will deepen, and its relevance to contemporary business challenges will sharpen.
Jackie Jarvis, Minister for Small Business, voiced confidence in the incoming Commissioner’s ability to not just hold the reins, but bring fresh thinking into the frame. She pointed to Abdoolakhan’s breadth of experience and his alignment with the practical nature of the SBDC’s work. Her remarks also gave a nod to the State’s broader economic standing, framing Western Australia as the best place in the country to start and grow a business—a claim that’s increasingly supported by population shifts, startup activity and strong post-pandemic recovery figures.
Abdoolakhan takes over from David Eaton PSM, who has served as the inaugural Commissioner since the role was created in 2012. Over that time, Eaton became a familiar face in small business circles, known for championing fair treatment and better understanding between business owners and government. His tenure covered challenges like regulatory reforms, digital disruption, and, more recently, the economic shock of COVID-19. His efforts helped steer the SBDC through some of its most demanding periods. Jarvis acknowledged Eaton’s contributions as setting the standard for small business advocacy in the State, describing his legacy as one that shaped the very foundation Abdoolakhan will now work from.
There’s no shortage of pressing issues waiting on the new Commissioner’s desk. The cost of doing business remains a live concern, especially for sole traders and micro-businesses. Rising insurance premiums, access to finance, commercial tenancy issues and staff shortages continue to weigh heavily. Digital adoption, cybersecurity, and navigating environmental compliance are also part of the modern checklist for many small businesses. The challenge for the SBDC will be to remain nimble, accessible and current—delivering guidance that meets operators where they are, not where policy papers think they should be.
At the same time, there’s a push for greater innovation in small business spaces. From family-run retail shops introducing AI-driven stock management to food trucks going cashless and embracing mobile-first marketing, the lines between traditional and tech-driven business are increasingly blurred. The SBDC’s role in offering the kind of support that keeps this shift accessible—especially to those with limited resources or digital fluency—will be key.
Abdoolakhan’s regulatory background could be a useful asset in bridging this gap. Understanding compliance doesn’t always come naturally to business owners juggling day-to-day pressures, and there’s often a disconnect between how regulations are written and how they’re applied on the ground. If he can bring clarity and consistency into these areas, small businesses could find themselves less bogged down in red tape and more focused on growth, innovation and community building.
It’s not just individual businesses that will be watching this change. Industry associations, local governments and community leaders have increasingly come to rely on the SBDC as a link between small operators and decision-makers in Perth. With infrastructure developments, regional planning and urban renewal all having knock-on effects for small business clusters, coordination between these layers matters more than ever. Whether it’s helping a home-based operator understand zoning rules or advising a tourism venture on funding opportunities, the Commissioner’s office is often where practical support meets strategic influence.
Abdoolakhan officially steps into the position on Monday, 19 May 2025. His first months will likely involve listening—to business owners, staff within the SBDC, partner agencies, and regional stakeholders. Setting a tone of engagement will be critical. Western Australia’s small businesses are not a monolith. Their needs shift across industries, regions, and business life stages. Understanding those nuances will shape how the SBDC tackles its next chapter.
WA’s economic future depends, in no small part, on how its small businesses adapt, grow and stay resilient. They’ve been remarkably agile through disruptions, but support structures must keep pace. A Commissioner who understands both the machinery of government and the everyday reality of small operators will be well-placed to navigate that space.
Saj Abdoolakhan takes the wheel at a time of opportunity and expectation. If he can maintain the SBDC’s practical backbone while exploring smarter, faster ways to help businesses thrive, he’ll find no shortage of entrepreneurs ready to take on the future alongside him.
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