Demand from aspiring business owners has shot up to record levels, according to new data.

Enquiries are up 50 percent from last year, many coming from 'corporate refugees' and former Government consultants.

ABC Business Sales Managing Director Chris Small says many of these laid-off workers have gotten used to a certain lifestyle.

"They need to replicate those incomes and the way the job market is right now, they're having to look at inventive ways of replicating their income. And one of those ways is purchasing a business."

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