Australian small businesses are facing higher operating costs, with key costs rising 24.6% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research by AMP Bank Go. Both reports highlight the same figure as evidence of sustained cost pressure during the past several years. While the articles do not break down the specific cost categories, they describe the increase as broad enough to affect small business affordability and day-to-day operations. The research is presented as a measure of how changes over time have accumulated rather than a short-term fluctuation. The reports also align on the central message that the current environment remains challenging for small businesses due to escalating expenses. No details are provided in either source about the timeframe of the measurement beyond “since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” nor do they include commentary on mitigation strategies or government or industry responses. Overall, the coverage emphasizes a single, consistent metric: a 24.6% rise in key costs over the pandemic period.