Yes, schema markup significantly assists with local search (GEO) in Australia as of December 2025 by providing search engines like Google with precise information about a business, its location, and its services. This structured data helps Google better understand and rank businesses in relevant local search results, including the Google Business Profile (GBP) ecosystem.
Schema.org vocabulary now includes specific types relevant to Australian businesses, such as LocalBusiness, Restaurant, ServiceBoxAvailability, and PostalAddress. Implementing these schemas on a website allows Google to confirm details against the GBP listing, improving trust and visibility. Currently, Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) – increasingly prevalent in Australian search results in December 2025 – heavily relies on schema to populate AI Overviews with accurate business information. Google’s rollout of the Helpful Content update continues to prioritise sites with clear, structured data. Furthermore, Google’s Merchant Centre, used by many Australian retailers, requires schema for product listings to be eligible for free product listings in Google Shopping. In 2026, Google has announced further integration of schema data into its local pack algorithms, with a focus on verifying opening hours and service areas.
Essentially, schema markup functions as a detailed ‘data layer’ on a website, enabling search engines to more effectively interpret and present a business’s information to Australian customers.
