Small- and medium-sized Australian businesses stand to gain a hold in the country's future fiscal policies and regulations with the launch of a trade association.

Launched during the MyBiz Expo in Sydney on Friday, the SME Association of Australia said small-to-medium enterprises have become active contributors to the country's economy, exporting more than $1 billion worth of goods per year and giving jobs to more than 5 million Australians.

"We have a very clear mission to provide services that will help them connect with each other and with big business locally and internationally, to help them grow and succeed, create sustainability, jobs and, ultimately, a prosperous healthy nation," SMEAA chief executive Caroline Hong said.

The association said Australia has nearly 2 million small businesses, accounting for about 95 per cent of all businesses in the country. Of these, SMEAA aims to reach a membership base of 10,000 by the end of 2012, and 50,000 by 2017.

The group primarily offers its members group buying facilities, professional advice, networking opportunities, and e-learning support, among others. It also targets to publish a magazine, hold events that will link up with international SME organizations to provide members with up-to-date knowledge and a vast network of contacts.

SMEAA's membership is open to sole traders, small and medium sized enterprises, corporate partners, government bodies, associations, NFP organizations, SME suppliers and entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, SMEAA said there is a need to work with retired entrepreneurs and small businesses run by migrants and women, as these groups represent a significant proportion of the SME sector.

"The aging population, the number of highly qualified migrants who struggle to find employment and the increasing number of women juggling work, family and sometimes caring for elders, mean these groups often see small or home-based businesses as a very attractive option," Hong said.

"We need to create a business friendly platform to capture the knowledge of these groups and help them navigate the complex business, regulatory and technological landscape."