This paper has examined Australian SMTE information seeking and knowledge acquisition practices, with a particular focus on differences attributable to proprietor business motivations. Of the two SMTE sub-groupings, those who harbour ambitions to grow their businesses (growers) were distinct from those less focused on this dimension (lifestylers). Growers play a more active role among business groups operating beyond the tourism sphere. They are more interested in information about business management and about sales and marketing. Compared with lifestylers, growers consume more information and use a greater diversity of media that they find more helpful. Consuming more information does not necessarily lead to greater satisfaction, and growers apply a critical eye to any information that they consume. Some significant and important differences are evident towards training between the two groups. Growers are more prepared to pay for training on business-related topics where they can ask questions about problems encountered in their businesses. In contrast, lifestylers are reluctant to pay for training and prefer to learn on the job. When respondents access information, the main issues encountered were associated with learning, formal training and the provision of assistance. Consistent with previous research, sales and marketing was the most commonly sought-after type of information, whereas legal and regulatory information was sought less frequently. Over a fifth of the respondents spend between four and eight hours per week accessing relevant information,